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The Pedestrian Accident Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, along with community activist groups and friends and family of the victim, mourn the loss of an Englewood toddler killed at the hands of a drunk driver. The accident occurred at the 5700 Block of South Morgan Street in Englewood on September 20, 2013. As 2-year old Ja’Mya Love walked to daycare with her great-grandmother, the toddler was tragically struck by a motor vehicle. Kellen Bledsoe, is said to have caused the accident after running through a stop sign as the victim and her family approached the intersection. After striking the child, Bledsoe continued driving where he subsequently collided with a parked vehicle. Thereafter, Bledso exited his vehicle and began to flee on foot. Fortunately, authorities were able to take him into custody shortly following a brief pursuit.

According to officials, Bledsoe had an astounding blood-alcohol-level of .252, which represents a level exceeding the legal limit (.08) by more than three times. In addition, officials report that the 27-year-old driver had never been issued a driver’s license, which is likely the reason for his failure to carry insurance coverage as well. Bledso was held in lieu of a half a million dollar bond, where he was later charged with reckless homicide in a construction zone; aggravated DUI in an accident causing death; aggravated DUI in accident by driver without driver’s license; operating a vehicle without a license; and operating a vehicle without insurance.

The Englewood Personal Injury Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. offer their condolences to the family members of little 2-year-old Ja’Mya Love. Having witnessed far too many preventable accidents throughout our City, the toddler’s death serves as reminder of the dangers of sharing Chicago’s roadways with reckless drivers.

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Nearly two years following the vicious dog attack on a 15-year-old boy in Zion Illinois, parties to the dispute reached a settlement agreement granting the victim $1.125 Million for his injuries. According to the Jury Verdict Reporter, this amount represents the largest award for a dog bite attack in Illinois history. As attorneys, who represent dog bite victims in Illinois, this settlement is significant in terms of victim rights, because it sends the message that careless dog owners can and will be held accountable for their inability to control a dangerous animal.

The tragic attack occurred on June 29, 2011, while 15 year old Jordyn Bankston was out riding his bicycle in the Lake County community of Zion. As Jordyn stopped to talk with his friends, a 120 lb Bull Mastiff escaped his owner’s fenced in yard, and charged towards the boys. Although the boys tried to escape, the massive dog was able to reach Jordyn, clenching the child’s arm with his forceful teeth and dragging him to the ground. Despite two neighbors attempting to intervene by kicking the dog, the savage dog attack continued, reports say, for nearly 10 minutes. The boy was eventually freed when a third neighbor burned the dog’s nose with a lit cigarette.

Jordyn was rushed to a nearby hospital in Waukegan, where he remained for nearly a week. As a result of the vicious attack, Jordyn suffered lacerations and puncture wounds to his arms, shoulder, legs, thigh, buttocks and head. Due to the extent of his injuries, the boy also required plastic reconstructive surgery. According to the dog bite attorneys representing the child and his family, “It was a very, very traumatic event. He thought he was going to die.”

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Recent developments in bicycling infrastructure in Chicago, and its surrounding Illinois suburbs are certainly encouraging. However, as with any change, a period of adjustment can be anticipated. Of particular concern are bicycle accidents caused when a driver or passenger exits a vehicle as an oncoming bicyclist approaches. This type of accident is commonly referred to as ‘dooring.’ The bicycle accident attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. caution both vehicle occupants and bicyclists to maintain an awareness of their surroundings as the city implements bicycling infrastructure.

With many bike routes running along the outside, and others now running on the inside of parking spaces, the potential for dooring has perhaps doubled. In areas where bike lane positioning has changed, those used to its previous location, may either fail to look for bicyclists, or don’t think to warn unaware passengers of to watch for oncoming bicyclists. The potential for a bicycling accident is further increased when bicycling infrastructure calls for the creation of a bike lane along a roadway where no lane previously existed. Although signage cautioning motorists to keep a lookout for oncoming bicyclists have aided in the reduction of bicycling accidents caused by dooring, these tragic accidents continue to occur.

Realizing the danger of dooring accidents for bicyclists, Chicago’s Mayor introduced a proposal in May of 2013 that would double the fine for drivers and passengers who ‘door’ a bicyclist, from its previous $500, to $1000. The press release for the Mayor’s proposal can be viewed at the City of Chicago’s official website (www.cityofchicago.org). In addition to increased fines, the Mayor also announces that stickers stating “Look, Before Opening Your Door” will be placed in the rear passenger window of the City’s 7000 cabs. The bicycle accident attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. support the Mayor’s safety initiatives, and are hopeful that it well help to reduce injury and fatality caused by dooring accidents.

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Chicago Mayor Emanuel has long been an avid supporter of initiatives and planning aimed at promoting bike safety and awareness. Amongst recent efforts was Emanuel’s May 2013 proposal to make changes to Chicago’s bike ordinances which calls for variances in passing position for bicyclists overtaking vehicles, as well as increase fines for violations. The Bicycle Accident Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. support Mayor Emanuel’s efforts in making much needed progress in improving the safety our City’s bicyclists.

The Mayor’s proposal came following a bicycling accident involving Emanuel’s 22-year-old daughter. While commenting on his proposal in terms of safety through legislation, Emanuel also implicitly suggested the need for awareness in circumstances where the law cannot help, in making the following statements to the Chicago Tribune:

Chicago Mayor Emanuel has long been an avid supporter of initiatives and planning aimed at promoting bike safety and awareness. Amongst recent efforts was Emanuel’s May 2013 proposal to make changes to Chicago’s bike ordinances which calls for variances in passing position for bicyclists overtaking vehicles, as well as increase fines for violations. The Bicycle Injury Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. support Mayor Emanuel’s efforts in making much needed progress in improving the safety our City’s bicyclists.

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In Wells v. Cooper, 2013 IL App (5th) 120074-U, 2013 WL 1197789 (Ill.App. 5 Dist.) Trina Wells sued her brother and sister-in-law for dog bite injuries from their dog, Tank.

In November 2008, Trina Wells visited her brother and sister-in-law. Her relatives owned a lab-husky mix named Tank. After Trina Wells arrived at her relatives’ home, she played with Tank. At one point the dog ran out of the front door, but her sister-in-law went outside and brought the dog back. The dog wanted to play in the yard. Tank escaped again. As Trina Wells and her sister-in-law were talking, they saw Tank roll out underneath a truck and appeared to have been hit. They noticed that Tank was moving slower than he normally did but they could not see any broken bones or blood. As they approached Tank, he was trying to go to the street again, and Trina Wells put her arms around Tank to stop him from running away. He collapsed on her hands and as she was trying to get her hands, Tank bit her into her left thumb, and then died.

The plaintiff filed a complaint against the her brother and sister-in-law, Matthew Cooper and Amy Cooper, for injuries she suffered when the dog bit her. A jury awarded her $140,000, and her brother and sister-in-law appealed.

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The dangers of traveling on Chicago’s busy roadways were demonstrated once again in an accident occurring on June 28, 2013, in the 10300 block of South Stony Island Avenue. According to officials, a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus was attempting to make a right hand turn, when it violently collided with a dump truck traveling westbound, thereby resulting in collision with two other motor vehicles.

Upon arriving at the accident scene, the severity of the accident became immediately apparent, as is evidenced by an ‘EMS Plan I’ being placed into force. An EMS Plan I is a type of response plan, reserved for major incidents, in which the emergency response team consists of 5 Ambulances, 1 ALS Engine or Truck, 1 Truck, 1 Battalion Chief, 1 Paramedic Field Chief, and 1 Assistant Deputy Chief Paramedic. Officials reported that the driver of the CTA bus had to be cut out of the wreck, and was subsequently transported by ambulance in serious-to-critical condition. A passenger in the CTA bus, as well as the driver of the dump truck were also transported in serious-to-critical condition, and a motorist in another vehicle was taken to the hospital in fair-to-serious condition.

Details regarding the precise cause of the accident were not immediately available, however, the investigation is still ongoing. The bus accident and truck accident attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. have witnessed the devastating effects that serious motor vehicle accidents, like this one, can have on the injured. Often, the tragic consequences of such tragic accidents have a profound impact on not only the injured, but the family members of the injured as well. The fear of work loss, mounting medical bills, as well as general emotional trauma, are common familial after-effects suffered as a result of a severe motor vehicle collision. Therefore, it is important to discuss your legal rights with a legal professional specialized in personal injury as soon as possible following the accident. A Chicago truck or bus accident attorney will safeguard your legal interests, by ensuring the preservation of important evidence, communicating with the insurance companies, and seeking, on your behalf, the compensation that is deserved.

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As the community mourns the tragic death of a 50-year-old Aurora cyclist killed after being stuck by an Evanston motorist, the Bicycle Accident Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. are reminded, yet again, of the inherent dangers of cycling in Chicago and its surrounding communities. The accident occurred on June 27, 2013 in the Kane County community of Batavia. Due to the lack of bike lanes along this stretch of roadway, bicyclists are both forced to and also legally permitted to, ride in the same lanes as traveling motorists.

According to eyewitnesses, as bicycling accident victim Richard White propelled his bicycle along Nelson Lake Road, a scenic two-lane road in Batavia Township, the rear wheel of his bicycle was allegedly struck by a vehicle being operated by 26-year-old MaMaxima Corazano Cordin Ty, who was traveling directly behind White’s bicycle. As the investigation continues, questions remain as to why this motorist continued to travel in the same pathway along the roadway, as other motorists safely passed the bicyclist in accordance with traffic laws.

As the community mourns the tragic death of a 50-year-old Aurora cyclist killed after being stuck by an Evanston motorist, the Bicycle Accident Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. are reminded, yet again, of the inherent dangers of cycling in Chicago and its surrounding communities. The accident occurred on June 27, 2013 in the Kane County community of Batavia. Due to the lack of bike lanes along this stretch of roadway, bicyclists are both forced to and also legally permitted to, ride in the same lanes as traveling motorists.

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The Injury Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. take note of the dangers associated with traveling as a pedestrian on busy Chicago roadways, as was demonstrated once again in a horrific auto crash occurring on May 11, 2013, which killed an elderly woman and injured another. The 85 year old victim was crossing the street near the intersection of York and Van Buren in the City of Elmhurt with her grandson a few steps behind her, when both pedestrians were struck by an oncoming vehicle.

Bystander Mark Vorel explained the vehicle’s impact with the elderly victim: “Her body went up and her head hit the windshield and the car threw her, Immediately, I grabbed my phone and called 911.” Both victims were transported to the hospital, where tragically the elderly victim died a short time thereafter. The victim’s grandson is reported to have escaped with only minor injuries. DuPage County Accident Reconstruction Task Force (DuCART) remained at the accident scene for several hours while performing their investigation, and…

The Injury Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. take note of the dangers associated with traveling as a pedestrian on busy Chicago roadways, as was demonstrated once again in a horrific auto crash occurring on May 11, 2013, which killed an elderly woman and injured another. The 85 year old victim was crossing the street near the intersection of York and Van Buren in the City of Elmhurt with her grandson a few steps behind her, when both pedestrians were struck by an oncoming vehicle.

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As reported by CBS Chicago, “One person was killed in a multi-vehicle accident after a school bus with nearly three dozen students on board collided with two other vehicles near north suburban Wadsworth.” Preliminary investigations revealed that the accident may have been caused because the school bus driver ran a red light, however as reported by the Chicago Tribune on April 30, 2013, Lake County prosecutors will not be pressing charges. Tragically, the driver of the motor vehicle which the school bus collided with suffered fatal injuries. According to the Chicago Tribune, the Lake County Coroner’s Office found evidence of prescription drugs in the deceased’s system, however the Coroner’s Office did not report which drug this may have been.
Although dozens of children were injured as a result of this accident, none of the injuries were reported to be life threatening. The bus accident attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C., recognize that the severe nature of this accident, in which a school bus carrying 34 children rolled over on its side, presented circumstance that could have potentially resulted in numerous deaths. Fortunately, this was not the case. Our team of injury and accident attorneys support Chicago parents who demand the safeguarding of their children as they are placed in the hands of school bus drivers each day. If your child was injured or killed as a result of a negligent bus driver or other motorist, it is imperative that you protect your legal rights. Contact a licensed Illinois bus accident attorney today for a free personal injury consultation at (773) 516-4100, or through our website at www.zneimerlaw.com.

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Pursuant to the Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act, all child passengers under the age of 8 years old are required to be restrained by a car or booster seat. However, use of a child restraint system is only the first step in protecting your most precious cargo in the event of a motor vehicle accident. As the National Institute of Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated, the key to safety is “the right seat, the right size, the right use.” Our injury and accident attorneys understand that it may be difficult for parents to determine if they are using the appropriate car seat in the proper manner. The foregoing is provided by the lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. to guide Chicago parents in protecting their child passengers, in hopes that it may aide in the reduction of child car seat injuries and fatalities that occur as a result of a car accident.

Choosing a car seat that is both age and size appropriate for your child can drastically decrease the likelihood of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Further, considerations as to age and size must be an ongoing process as your child grows. Our injury and accident lawyers recognize that although a car seat might be suitable for a child of a certain age, it may not be suitable for that child’s size. The safety risks involved encompass both car seats that are too large for the child, and therefore may not protect against injuries in the event of a collision, as well as car seats that the child has outgrown.

The NHTSA, and the injury attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. as well, urge parents to fill out the manufacturer’s registration form, and submit this form to the manufacturer immediately following the purchase of a new car seat. By submitting such registration, and keeping all contact information current, you can ensure that you will be notified of important safety recalls pertaining to your specific child restraint device.

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