Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog

Pedestrian Who Breaks Leg In A Pothole Gets Verdict Against City of Chicago

2009-06-18T05:04:23Z

A Chicago jury awarded plaintiff, Martha Aguado $227,201 in her case against the City of Chicago for a broken patella she suffered as a pedestrian as a result of falling in a pothole in a crosswalk at Western Ave. and Foster Ave. in the City of Chicago. The plaintiff claimed that a puddle covered up the hole. When the jury was asked whether the condition of the City of Chicago's crosswalk/sidewalk presented an unreasonable risk of harm on the premises, the jury answered "yes".

Cell Phone Fact Sheet

2009-06-16T04:20:38Z

According to the National Safety Council:

Drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be in an auto crash while using a cell phone.

There is no difference in the cognitive distraction between hand-held and hands- free devices.

80 percent of crashes are due to inattention.

Talking to a passenger while driving is significantly safer than talking on a cell phone.

Chicago Police To Enforce Crosswalk Laws

2009-04-26T18:06:36Z

This week Chicago police will begin pulling over drivers who do not yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Moving-violation ticket fines range up to $500.00. The city will use plainclothes police officers posing as pedestrians at intersections without stop signs to implement the sting operation.

Additionally, legislation has been introduced in the Illinois Senate that will require Illinois drivers not only to yield but to come to a full stop when pedestrians are in a crosswalk. Violators would face a minimum $150.00 fine.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that there have been more than 6,000 auto-pedestrian crashes in Illinois, with more that 3,000 of these accidents occurring annually in the city of Chicago.

It would help if Chicago police vehicles would take the lead and set an example and stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Any resident of Chicago can attest to the fact that Chicago police vehicles simply do not yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and if a pedestrian was foolish enough to to walk in front of a Chicago police vehicle, he would likely add to the statistics.

Nearly 100 Children Died In Backovers In 2007

2009-02-09T03:20:25Z

Nearly 100 Children were killed and 2,000 injured in 2007 when they were backed over, mostly on residential driveways the National Highway Traffic Safety Council reported.

The report found that 221 people were killed and 14,000 were injured by backing vehicles. Ninety-nine of the deaths and 2,000 injuries were children under 14 years old.

Legislation sponsored by former New York Senator Hilary Clinton will require vehicles to offer additional mirrors, sensor devises and cameras to help reduce blind spots with the intention of reducing the number of these tragic accidents.

Elderly Man Struck By Cab On Chicago Northside

2009-02-09T02:35:36Z

A taxi struck and killed Minh Pham, 89, on Saturday, on the Northside of Chicago about one block from his house. The accident happened at about 9 a.m.

The taxi driver was cited for no insurance and for failure to exercise due care for a pedestrian in the roadway.

Delay In Cancer Diagnois Leads To Illinois Verdict For Plaintiff

2009-01-30T03:08:51Z

Over the course of years Debbie Blake, deceased, complained to her doctors about shoulder pain. She was prescribed pain medication and anti-inflammatories but nothing relieved the pain. After years she was finally sent for an MRI which revealed a cancerous tumor located in her lung pressing on her brachial plexus. The MRI also showed that the cancer had metastasized to her brain which eventually lead to her death. A jury found against BroMenn Physicians Management Corp. for failing to diagnose the cancer sooner, depriving the plaintiff a chance to be cured. The jury awarded the estate of Debbie Blake $704,636.

Saftey Council Calls For Ban On Cell Phones While Driving

2009-01-13T00:55:36Z

The National Safety Council is calling for a complete ban on cell phone use while driving, even cell phones that are "hands free". The group cited research in which it was found that the use of a cell phone while driving increases the risk of a crash by four fold.

Saftey Council Calls For Ban On Cell Phones While Driving

2009-01-13T00:55:36Z

The National Safety Council is calling for a complete ban on cell phone use while driving, even cell phones that are "hands free". The group cites research in which it was found that the use of a cell phone while driving increases the risk of a crash by four fold.

Chicago Boy Dies From Dog Attack

2009-01-13T00:33:18Z

A four year old boy was attacked and mauled by the family's Rottweiler on the Southwest Side of Chicago on Sunday. The boy was identified as Alex Angulo. The boy was taken to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A neighbor on the 3800 block of West 61st Street said he feared the dog because it appeared aggressive and sometimes got free from the backyard where it was confined.

Chicago Crash Injuries Six Under L Tracks

2008-12-29T01:41:33Z

Six people were critically injured in a car crash Saturday night at the intersection of Ashland and Lake in Chicago. A Chevy Impala and a Dodge Durango collided at the intersection, sending the Durango into an "L" support base.

Four people from the crash were taken to John H. Stroger Hospital and two people were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital. All were in critical condition.

Crash Injuries Two Children In Chicago Loop

2008-12-29T01:05:11Z

Two children were critically injured in a car crash Sunday morning outside of the Art Institute in Downtown Chicago. The crash involved two vehicles, one being an SUV.

The children were taken to Children's Memorial Hospital.

South Side Chicago Crash Kills Two

2008-12-15T02:00:22Z

A south side of Chicago car crash killed two people at the intersection of 87th and Michigan Avenue. The car crash took place at 4:15 AM early Sunday morning.

This was one of a number of fatal car crashes that took place in Chicago in the early hours of Sunday morning. People should be extra careful driving in the early hours and be watchful of other drivers coming from bars and parties where alcohol may have been consumed.

SW Side Chicago Crash Claims Life

2008-12-15T01:50:27Z

One person was killed and two persons were critically injured in a South Side of Chicago car crash. The car crash took place at the intersection of 111th and Western Avenue at 3:20 AM early Sunday morning.

This crash was just one of a number of fatal crashes that took place in Chicago early Sunday morning.

NW Side Chicago Fatal Crash Caused By Drunk Driver

2008-12-14T23:14:16Z

Sergio Correa, 35, was driving northbound on Milwaukee Avenue near Devon Avenue in Chicago when his vehicle was struck from behind by a vehicle being driven by a woman who appeared to be drunk. The auto crash took place at 2:57 AM Sunday morning.

Both drivers were taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge where Mr. Correa was pronounced dead. The apparently drunk woman's injuries were not life-threatening.

Chicago Verdict in Dog Bite Trial

2008-12-01T01:21:23Z

A Chicago jury awarded a mailman $75,224.00 for injuries he suffered after being bitten by a dog. The mailman plaintiff was delivering mail to 501 S. Willie in Mt. Prospect when the home owner's twenty pound schnauzer got loose and bit the mailman on the back of his knee. The mailman plaintiff required surgery and incurred $58,435 in medical expenses. State Farm had offered $25,000. before the trial to settle the case but the offer was rejected by the plaintiff for being too low.