Pedestrian Accident

Illinois Motorist Killed After Walking Across Interstate 270

Published on: November 23, 2013 | Levin & Perconti

News Democrat recently reported that a man was struck and killed on Friday when he was running across Interstate 270, just east of Illinois 157. According to an Illinois State Police spokesman, a car collided with a semi tractor-trailer at about 6:20am, causing minimal damage to both vehicles. The driver of the car proceeded to pull off the interstate onto the left shoulder while the driver of the semi pulled onto the right shoulder. The driver of the car then tried to check on the semi truck driver and ran across the interstate where he was struck by a pick-up truck.

The man was fatally injured and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Madison County Coroner’s Office. The police spokesman stated, “There’s a slight rise there in the road and it appears that he couldn’t see oncoming traffic.” He said the driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured and no citations would be issued in relation to the accident. Interstate traffic was reportedly diverted onto Illinois 157 for more than three hours after the accident.

Though it is not stated who was specifically the cause of either accident, an obvious factor that played a part in the death of the car driver was his decision to attempt to walk across the interstate. Pedestrian accidents on interstate highways are actually quite common; according to the Illinois Department of Transportation, more than ten percent of pedestrian fatalities occur on highways. The most common reason for pedestrians to be on the highway is when they find a need to walk across it, as seen in the above accident when the car driver walked across the interstate to check on the semi truck driver. Given the speed of other vehicles on the roadway, many motorists don’t even see these pedestrians until it is too late.

Chicago Attorneys Present Pedestrian Accident Statistics After Bus Driver Hits 18-Year Old Jogger

Published on: November 12, 2013 | Levin & Perconti

Traffic safety facts from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) include that in 2010, 4,280 pedestrians were killed and around 70,000 were injured in traffic crashes around the country. More specifically, a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every eight minutes in some form of motor vehicle accident. During the same year, there were 115 pedestrian fatalities in Illinois and approximately 3,000 accidents that injured pedestrians in Chicago. Accidents and collisions involving pedestrians are evidently a very serious concern. Chicago Tribune reported that just last month, an 18-year old woman was jogging in north suburban Gurnee when she was hit by a bus and suffered from severe injuries.

The accident took place near Gages Lake Road and Murifield Drive just after 8:30am, according to the report. The woman was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center with chest injuries and various cuts and bruises, but was expected to survive. A Battalion Chief at the scene said, “There was cause for concern initially. I don’t know if there are going to be surgeries needed, but she’s probably headed toward intensive care for a while.” As of that night, no charges were filed against the 31-year old bus driver and there was no suspicion that she was impaired. The area near the accident remained shut down while police investigated further.

The NHTSA states that pedestrian accidents consist of people walking, running, jogging, hiking, or even sitting down being involved in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Our law firm believes it is important to be aware of which circumstances generally produce the most pedestrian accidents and personal injury. Pedestrian fatalities most commonly occur in urban settings during the hours of 8pm and 12am, and surprisingly during normal weather conditions, as compared to rain, snow, and foggy conditions. Additionally, nearly one half of fatalities occur on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Alcohol involvement, either for the driver or the pedestrian, is reported in almost half of the traffic crashes that result in pedestrian fatalities.

Safety Advisories Offered To Parents And Children For Halloween Night

Published on: October 31, 2013 | Levin & Perconti

The holidays are undoubtedly an exciting time of year, generally filled with parties, friends and family, fun, and celebration. As the long awaited night of Halloween soon approaches, many adults will attend their favorite costume parties while children walk their neighborhoods “trick-or-treating” for candy. What many people fail to think about, however, is that Halloween night will also consist of more drivers on the road, an increased chance of drunk driving collisions, more pedestrians out on sidewalks, and hundreds of little children sprinting into the roadways for candy. Our personal injury law firm wants this year’s Halloween to be enjoyable for you and your family, but we also want everyone to be safe.

According to a study from Safe Kids USA, children are more than twice as likely to be killed by a car or a truck while walking on Halloween than any other night of the year. Though these accidents are not extremely large in number each year, traffic accidents are by far the most common and potentially deadly type of accident threatening adults and children this and every Halloween. Between 2002 and 2006, 2.2 children on average were killed in pedestrian accidents from 4 to10pm on Halloween, compared to one child every other evening at the same time. A release from Chicago Sun Times states that last year, children and teenagers trick-or-treating or heading to Halloween parties were injured or killed in cities in Utah, Nevada, New Jersey, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. Thankfully, Illinois did not make this list, and our attorneys would like to keep it that way. Here are some tips that you and your family can use to remain safe this Halloween:

Primarily, parents need to keep close watch on their children by either taking younger children trick-or-treating themselves, staying in contact with teens through their cell phones, or at least making sure their children have some type of supervision. Encourage your children to wear bright and reflective Halloween costumes so drivers can see them as they are crossing the street. Carrying flashlights, glow-sticks, or reflective tape are great ideas for increasing visibility; walking in well-lit areas is also recommended. Finally, walking in groups a good way to increase the general safety of children, in addition to the fact that a big group of trick-or treaters is also easier for drivers to see.

1 College Student Killed and Another Seriously Injured in Urbana Pickup Truck Collision

Published on: October 10, 2013 | Levin & Perconti

College students were distressed on the University of Illinois campus yesterday morning after two young women were hit by a pickup truck on Lincoln Avenue in Urbana. The accident took place when the 58-year old motorist was driving “erratically” in the southbound lane, according to East Central Illinois News-Gazette, and may have been driving up to 70 miles per hour. He sideswiped a University Facilities & Services truck and then continued for a few more blocks before riding over the curb. Both girls were walking on the sidewalk when they were hit. The truck continued down the street and stopped after colliding with a street barrier.

Witnesses reported seeing one girl fly over the top of the pickup truck while the second was dragged underneath it. Local students immediately ran to the scene and called 911, and medical personnel from a health center across the street came to assist authorities. The girls were taken to Carle Foundation Hospital where the Champaign County coroner confirmed that one died and the other’s injuries were not considered life threatening.

Dozens of police cars and ambulances lined the street as authorities investigated the accident scene. A six-block stretch of Lincoln Avenue from Nevada Street south to Pennsylvania Avenue was surrounded with crime scene tape and was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Preliminary reports suggest the pickup truck driver may have suffered from a sudden seizure or other serious medical condition. He was taken to the hospital for a blood test and was later issued traffic tickets for driving without insurance and improper lane usage, according to an Urbana police sergeant.

$2.4 Million Accident Verdict For 27-Year Old Hit By Chicago City Worker

Published on: September 25, 2013 | Levin & Perconti

On May 21st, 2011, a Chicago Streets and Sanitation worker drove under the influence of alcohol, lost control of his vehicle, and struck four pedestrians. One of these pedestrians, Stephen Dewart, a 27-year old formerly from Chicago suffered from multiple severe injuries that required hospitalization, various surgeries, and months of physical therapy. We filed an accident lawsuit for the victim in June of 2011, naming the negligent driver and the City of Chicago as defendants. Attorneys Susan Novosad and Jordan Powell from our office represented the Dewart in the case, and last Friday, just was served when he was awarded a $2.4 million verdict by a Cook County jury.

Our press release announcing the verdict notes that the accident took place at the corner of Rush and Cedar Streets when the 61-year old laborer driving a city-owned truck was traveling at a high rate of speed. The lawsuit alleged that the driver failed to yield to the victims or to slow his vehicle to prevent a collision. Police say he tested over twice the legal blood alcohol limit and an open bottle of brandy was found wedged beneath his gas pedal when the vehicle left the roadway. The City of Chicago was named as a defendant in this lawsuit because the negligent driver was an employee and therefore, the company was responsible for his actions.

Novosad stated that the victim was hospitalized for almost a week following the accident after suffering from several spinal fractures and a broken leg in two places, both injuries requiring three surgeries and months of physical therapy. The jury deliberated for less than two hours to determine how the victim should be compensated for his injuries and disabilities sustained as a result of the accident.

Woman Dies After Pickup Truck Accident In Chicago

Published on: September 17, 2013 | Levin & Perconti

A 61-year old woman was killed after she was suddenly hit by a pickup truck in Brighton Park. The truck, reported Chicago Tribune, was parked in an alley and left unattended by its driver when his 13-year old son climbed into the passenger seat and accidently bumped the gearshift with his backpack. When the boy realized the car was moving, he climbed into the driver’s seat and tried to hit the brake, but accidentally hit the gas pedal.

The truck was boosted forward and hit two garages and one car before it stopped after crashing into the woman’s backyard. She was struck by the truck and was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, she was pronounced dead later that evening. Illinois State Police ruled her death accidental. The father was cited for leaving a running vehicle unattended and for driving with a suspended drivers license.

Our truck accident attorneys caution that an accident like this could happen to any driver who leaves children unattended in their vehicle. Children often play, kick, and change seats when traveling and could accidentally bump door handles, the steering wheel, or in this case, the gearshift. Toddlers can even potentially become strangled by seat belts. Leaving children unattended in a vehicle increases these risks and therefore increases the risk that you or other drivers and pedestrians could be in an unexpected accident.

5-Year Old Girl Struck And Killed By Truck In Roseland

Published on: August 8, 2013 | Levin & Perconti

Tragedy struck this weekend in Chicago when a delivery truck killed a 5-year old girl while she was crossing the street with her family. CBS Chicago released that the accident occurred around 11:25am Saturday at 103rd and State Streets in the Roseland neighborhoods. The little girl was attempting to cross State Street with her mother and brother when the delivery truck struck and killed her. Witnesses say the girl had broken free from her mother and ran under the truck’s back wheels.

A witness stated that he tried to help the family after the accident by telling them to refrain from picking up the girl or moving her. But everyone soon realized that nothing could be done for her and that the truck had simply crushed her. The driver of the truck and his passenger stopped immediately after they realized the truck had hit something; he was devastated to see it was a child. Neither he nor the witness had noticed the girl behind the truck until it was too late.

A truck accident lawyer at our firm learned that the girl was rushed to the nearest hospital, but police say the girl was already dead when first responders arrived at the scene. Witnesses say her family was simply heartbroken, in disbelief, and almost hysterical at the scene, having just helplessly witnessed a vehicle so suddenly cut their 5-year old’s life short. Though it does not seem as though any charges will be filed in this case, the police Major Accident Unit is continuing to investigate the accident.

$3 million Bail Set in Illinois Hit-and-Run Accident

Published on: June 20, 2013 | Levin & Perconti

According to an online news report by Chicagotribune.com, bail has been set at $3 million for a West Side man charged with reckless homicide for the deadly hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of a man from Cook County. Our wrongful death lawyers read that the 38-year old was struck by a van while crossing California Avenue near 29th Street around 10pm. Authorities say the van hit him and threw him into the middle of the road, where he was then pinned by a sheriff’s squad car. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and was later pronounced dead.

Police say the driver of the van, a 57 year-old man of the 2900 block of West 25th Street, was taken into custody the following day after police found his van, which matched the description of the vehicle that hit the victim. He admitted to driving on California Avenue the night of the accident and “admitted to hitting something.” Police also talked to someone who told them he had seen the driver drinking alcohol last Wednesday night prior to the accident. A judge later set the $3 million bail and ordered the driver to return to court on Monday for a preliminary hearing. Dozens of the victim’s family members packed into court for the hearing, saddened by death of the husband and father of a 5 year-old girl.

Illinois Secretary of State records show that the driver’s license was revoked in 2010 from a DUI arrest the previous year. After finally becoming eligible to appear at an administrative hearing to attempt getting his license back, he never applied, according to an office spokesman. Thus, he continued to drive despite the fact that his license had been revoked. He had received court supervision for a 2002 DUI from LaSalle County, was issued a speeding ticket in 2008, and received a ticket for running a traffic light in 1999. The victim’s wife stated that the driver going behind the wheel with a revoked license added to her pain because he should not have been driving in the first place.

Metra Train Accidents Cause Three Fatalities In One Week

Published on: March 22, 2013 | Levin & Perconti

Chicago.cbslocal.com released that a man was killed on Tuesday morning when a Metra train struck him as he was crossing the tracks in Downers Grove. A Chicago train accident attorney at our firm read that according to Metra, he was struck by an inbound train near the Downers Grove Main street station around 9:40am.

The report states that this is the third fatality involving a Metra train since late last week and the fourth time a Metra train has struck a pedestrian in that time. Last Thursday, a 56-year old was killed by a West Line train near the Bensenville Station as she was crossing the tracks just west of Addison Street. Last Friday, a Metra train struck an eleven-year old boy as he was crossing the tracks at Illinois Route 59 near Lake Cook Road in downtown Barrington; he survived, but with severe injuries. And on Monday, a 42-year old of Clarendon Hills was struck and killed by a train near the West Hinsdale station.

A transportation expert discussing the accidents said he has never heard of so many in such a short amount of time. “Metra is going to have to look deep inside to see what they haven’t tried yet,” he stated. “Whether it’s security guards at some of these crossings at peak times, whether it’s sound signals when trains are coming, or slowing down trains, something needs to be looked at. This can’t continue.”

Chicago Attorneys Caution Against Distracted Driving Near Tow Trucks

Published on: March 18, 2013 | Levin & Perconti

Any typical driver in Illinois has experienced their share of construction on many roadways or highways in their lifetime, and has therefore driven past numerous tow trucks, signs with flashing lights, traffic cones, and emergency vehicle personnel assisting authorities at construction scenes. While many drivers cautiously and attentively drive past these construction scenes, others fail to do so and as a result cause a significant amount of damage and personal injury to vehicles or individuals working at the scene. This fact is something that our Illinois truck accident lawyers believe needs to be addressed and wants to inform all drivers of the current issues at hand.

Chicagotribune.com recently released a report detailing the death of a 20-year old tow truck driver who was killed by a passing motorist as he was assisting someone on an interstate. The driver that hit him allegedly failed to pay attention to the flashing lights and emergency vehicles on the side of the road and thus struck and killed the truck driver. After learning about this accident, an owner of a transportation service in Barrington, Illinois wanted to remind drivers to “move over and slow down” when they see a tow truck with flashing lights along the side of the road. The owner states that most people don’t recognize tow truck operators as emergency vehicles and fail to take the necessary precautions when they pass by them on roads or highways.

Illinois has had a law in place for ten years to protect emergency vehicles and personnel from reckless drivers. The legislation, details the report, was created after a Lieutenant of the Chicago Fire Department was struck and killed by a drunken driver while assisting at a traffic crash scene on the Dan Ryan Expressway in 2001. Scott’s Law, also known as the “Move Over Law,” was enacted in 2002 and requires Illinois motorists to reduce their speed and change lanes when approaching an emergency vehicle on the side of the roads, being sure to proceed with caution. These emergency vehicles include police, fire, ambulance, highway workers and tow truck drivers. The law also requires that motorists yield to any vehicle equipped with red, white, blue, and/or yellow warning lights.