Chicago Illinois Car Accident Lawyer BlogOne of the primary traffic safety hazards continues to be distracted driving. While the dangers posed by distracted driving is applicable to all road users, among the most vulnerable to inattentive distracted drivers are those road users who are “harder to see.” These “hard to see” road users include bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Further adding to the danger is that the bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians don’t have the structural impact protection afforded by a vehicle, so any accidents are usually (highly) physically traumatic. As seen on this site, many accident injuries to bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians are serious in nature, if not fatal. For those injuries that do not lead to fatalities, often extensive hospitalization and rehabilitation is required, and semi-permanent and permanent impairments can occur.
Recent Chicago Area Motorcycle Accidents
Recent there have been a number of serious injuries, as well as fatalities, related to motorcycle accidents in the Chicago area as well as throughout Illinois.
Motorcycle accidents can occur for a number of reasons, and often result in serious accident injuries. The type of accident injuries resulting from these collisions and crashes is broad, and the accident injuries vary in severity. It is not uncommon for non-fatal rider injuries to require extensive medical care, including surgeries, hospitalization, and various medical tests. Rehabilitation from such injuries include both physical and occupational rehabilitation.
Man Dies After Being Struck By SUV In Norwood Park
Pedestrian accidents in Chicago and the greater Chicago area remain a significant traffic safety concern. As seen in various statistics, fatal pedestrian accidents are increasing. While there are many reasons given for this trend, among the more prominent reasons given are both “distracted driving” by drivers as well as “distracted walking” by pedestrians.
Another reason that pedestrian accidents are problematical in Chicago is the extensive injuries that typically occur during such accidents. As seen in the pedestrian accidents summarized on this site, a broad range of injuries can occur when a person is struck by a vehicle. As well, such injuries vary in severity. It is common for such injuries to be fatal in nature; for those injuries that aren’t fatal, recuperation from such injuries can be extensive both in time as well as in the amount of medical care required.
First-Half 2017 Illinois Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Trends
On August 15, 2017 the National Safety Council (NSC) issued a press release titled “Motor Vehicle Deaths Drop Slightly in First Half of 2017 But Remain 8% Higher Than Same Period Two Years Ago.” This press release discusses trends in motor vehicle accident fatalities nationally, and an accompanying report provides detail on the state level.
The Chicago Tribune article of August 15, titled “Study: Illinois traffic deaths continue to climb” discusses the findings of the study and highlights the statistics concerning Illinois.
Fatal Chicago Pedestrian Accident Trends
Pedestrian accidents are notable in many regards. As seen in many statistics, such accidents are increasing, including those that occur in Chicago.
Pedestrian accidents often cause serious accident injuries, and many lead to fatalities. As seen in pedestrian accidents summarized on this site, the range and severity of accident injuries are broad. Various aspects of pedestrian accidents are further discussed on the “Chicago Pedestrian Accidents” page.
“Rear-End Collision” Near Millenium Park Injures Four People
There was a car accident early Thursday morning (August 10, 2017) in Chicago near Millenium Park. According to Chicago Police, the accident involved one vehicle “rear-ending” another vehicle. Such collisions can cause a variety of accident injuries, as the vehicle occupants can be subject to unnatural (and possibly strong) forces. Among those injuries that can occur is “whiplash,” which is further discussed on the “Whiplash” page.
Recent Fatal Chicago Pedestrian Accidents
There have been a number of recent fatal pedestrian accidents in Chicago. These have included accidents in which the driver did not stop following the accident, i.e. “hit & run” accidents.
Three of these accidents are summarized below.
Fatal Bicycle Accident In Chicago’s Austin Neighborhood
Bicycle accidents continue to happen in Chicago as well as the broader Chicago area. Such accidents – which can happen for many reasons – are notable as they often lead to serious and in many cases fatal accident injuries.
On this site, many bicycle accidents have been summarized. Two pages (“Chicago Bicycle Accidents” and “Chicago Bicycle Accident Injuries”) discuss various facets of bicycle accidents, including the medical and legal issues stemming from such accidents.
Fatal Chicago Accident Involving Driver Impaired By Drugs
“Drugged driving” – also called drug-impaired driving – is notable in many aspects. Such driving and resulting accidents has been increasing. On this site, various accidents in which the driver was impaired by drugs at the time of the crash have been discussed. These posts are found under the “DUI” category. As well, a recent study regarding drug-impaired driving is discussed in the May 7, 2017 post titled “‘Drugged Driving’ Report.”
Another fatal Chicago traffic accident in which the driver was allegedly drug-impaired at the time of the crash happened on Sunday (July 25, 2017) in Chicago’s Archer Heights neighborhood (Southwest Side.)
Fatal Multi-Car Collision On Lake Shore Drive
There was a fatal car accident Monday evening (July 24, 2017) on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.
According to information provided by the Chicago Police Department, preliminary crash investigation findings indicate that the crash happened after a speeding car that was attempting to change lanes crossed the median and crashed into three vehicles.