Chicago Car Accident Attorney Blog

Is there a benefit to higher gas prices? While nobody likes to spend more for a gallon of gas, more drivers are slowing down and trying to conserve as much gas as possible. And while fewer speeding tickets is a result, it may also result in fewer accidents. The logic behind this thinking is that when people drive at a slower speed, they are in more control of their vehicle and this allow the dirver to react better and faster to those around them.

The slower speeds are not just safer for drivers, it is safer for pedestrian, bikers, car passengers and anyone or anything else that could come in contact with a car. Higher gas prices also mean that fewer people are driving. Fewer cars on the road means fewer accidents.

Does higher gas pricing mean totally safe roads? Of course not. Driving can still be dangerous. Taking your eyes off the road or driving recklessly, at any speed can be extremely dangerous. Slow down, obey traffic signs, and pay attention to what is going on around you. Stay off the phone, put away the makeup and read your newspaper at your desk. While it may not mean that you will never have an accident, it can certainly lower the chances of getting into one.

No one is happy about paying more for gas, but it is nice to know that there is at least one benefit.

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Matt Banga, 28, of North Mason Ave, died of craniocerebral injuries after crashing his car into a building at the 5400 of Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The crash occurred around 1:40 am. According to the autopsy the injury was the result of a car striking a fixed object.

Banga was taken to Lutheran General Hospital after the accident., but was pronounced deat at Advocate Illlionois Masonic Medical Center at 2:11 am. The Cook County Medical examiner ruled Banga's death an accident.

The Chicago Police Department Major Accident Investigation Unit is investigating the accident.

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A drunk driver injured at several people in a two car accident on Sunday night. The accident occurred at 7:48 pm at 1400 N. Humboldt Dr., Chicago, according to Chicagp Police News Affairs Office John Mirabelli.

An EMS Plan 1 response was prompted by the crash. This response, autmotically disptaches five ambulances to the scene of the accident.

The injured were taken to various area hospitals. One was listed in critical condition at John H. stroger Hospital. Shakespeare District Police said six or seven people were injured in the accident, however, none of them sustained life-threatening injuries.

One of the injured was the drunk driver. He crossed the center line and struck an oncoming car. According to police the drunk driver is going to be charged with a DUI.

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A 31 year old construction worker was struck by a vehicle near Willlow and Shermer Rds in Northbrook. He was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. His injuries were not considered to be life threatening.

Authorities ticketed the driver of the car for failure to exercise caution.

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LaSalle County Sheriff's Department reported that a school bus which was carrying 21 students crashed with a pickup truck on Tuesday, causing the bus to flip over. The accident occurred in the Northville area around 10:00 a.m.

The crash, which occurred in the north-central part of the state, resulted in several injuries. The bus rolled onto its side and the truck caught fire.

The injury victims were taken to Valley West Community Hospital and Ottawa Regional Hospital. No of the injuries sustained appeared to be life threatening.

It is unknown how many people were injured. Authorities are currently investigating the accident to try and determine how it happened.

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Jade Swisher, a former Illinois University Carbondale student remains in a coma after being struck by a car while crossing a street with friends on Saturday around 2am.

Friends of Swisher have set up a fund at Old National Bank in Carbondale to cover his medical expenses from his hospitalization. Aynjell, Martens, a friend of Swisher’s described him as a “very caring guy. He would do anything for anyone.” Martens said the fund was set up so friends could return that kindness by helping the family pay the bills.

Donation can be mailed or taken to Old National Bank, 509 S. University, Carbondale, IL and designated to the Jade Swisher Benefit Fund.

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John Koch, 31 of Chicago recalls “being in the air and thinking while I was in the air that I had been hit by a car. I felt my face scrape across the ground and I saw the car leaving.”
Koch and his brothers Fritz and Jake were about a block from Fritz’s apartment walking with friends when they were struck by a car at South Poplar and West College streets in Carbondale on Sunday around 2 a.m.

The driver of the car that hit them was identified as Dalevir S. Pannu, 21, who was driving a silver Ford Mustang. Pannu left the accident. His vehicle was located about 10 minutes later in the 800 block of west Freeman Street.

Pannu was charged with 10 counts of aggravated driving under the influence causing bodily harm, one count of accident causing injury or death, and five counts of aggravated reckless driving causing bodily harm, all class 4 felonies. Pannu was in Carbondale attending medical conferences. He is a Canadian citizen and is enrolled in medical school in the Carribean.
Pannu is being represented by Paul Christenson, a Murphysboro attorney. Christenson said blood alcohol results have not been returned, and the allegation that Pannu was driving under the influence accounts for at least five of the 16 charges.

To read the full article click here

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Katie McGuire, 20, of Chicago, IL was returning home on Monday to register to vote. She was killed in a car crash on 1-57 before she reached home.

McGuire was traveling north on 1-57. According to police she became distracted trying to locate her phone inside the car. McGuire’s car veered onto the right shoulder of 1-57. McGuire attempted to get her car back in her lane, but over corrected. Her car then went into the southbound lane. According to Illinois State Police, McGuire’s car collided with a care and a semi-trailer traveling in the opposite direction.

The accident occurred at 11:08 pm. McGuire was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Danielle Johnson, 21, a passenger in McGuire’s car was seriously injured and taken to Riverside Healthcare in Kankakee, IL . The drivers of the other vehicles in the accident were not injured.

To read the full article click here

According to a journal published by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, the distraction of using a cell phone while driving causes approximately 2,600 deaths and 333,000 injuries in the US every year.

The reason is now obvious:

A person driving and talking on cell phones are 18 percent slower when reacting brake lights While these drivers kept a 12 percent greater following distance, it also took them 17 percent longer to regain the speed they lost when they braked.

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Christopher Sodaro, of 4600 block of South Francisco Ave, was pronounced dead at Mt. Sinai Hospital on Monday after someone he got into a car accident with, grabbed and dragged him alongside their vehicle. The suspect fled the scene of the accident.

According to Chicago Police, Sodaro was in a car going south in the 2400 block of South Hamlin, when a westbound car struck his. Sodaro got out of his car and confronted the other driver. They both flashed gang signs at one another. Another person in the car with the other driver, grabbed Sodaro and got into the car and drove off dragging him alongside the car.

As of Monday evening no one was in custody and no vehicle description was available.

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After investigating an accident that resulted in the death of three people 25 years ago, DuPage County and Villa Park authorities finally had enough evidence to issue an arrest warrant for Roger Walburg, 51 of Oklahoma City.

On June 6, 1980 Walburg was the driver of a car that went through a railroad crossing resulting in a car-train cash that killed his 3 passengers. Walburg fled 25 years ago and was living under the alias Jason Bowling.

Walburg appeared in DuPage Court on Friday after waiving extradition. Bail was set at $1 million for violation of his bond. Walburg was charged with reckless homicide in the 1980 crash.

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A Herscher High School Student was identified by Kankakee County Coroner Bob Gessner as the driver killed in a three car collision early Thursday on Illinois Route 17.

Ian Michael Bogusch,18, son of John and Brenda Bogusch of Kankakee was pronounced dead at Riverside Medical Center’s Emergency room shortly after the accident. A 16 year old passenger was also in the car, but was not identified. He was in fair condition at Riverside. Gessner noted that the boys are brothers.

Both teens were wearing seatbelts and there were no traffic miscues that caused the accident.
Bogusch was westbound on Illinois 17 when he was read-ended by a pick-up truck being driven by Michael L. Labit, 31 of Kankakee. Labit was not injured according to police.

Bogusch’s van was forced into oncoming traffic and was struck by a car driven by 80 year old Evelyn Hanlin of Campus.

Hanlin was taken to Riverside Medical Center for treatment. Her condition was not known as of Thursday afternoon

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On January 4, 2008, the victim, was driving westbound on Joe Orr Rd., when the defendant driver crossed the center line and struck the victim head on. Police were called to the scene of the accident and the defendant driver was issued a ticket for causing the accident and failing to reduce speed.

The victim experienced an immediate onset of neck pain, but did not seek treatment for several weeks. Subsequently, the victim was diagnosed with a cervical herniated disk. The victim underwent physical therapy as prescribed by his doctor. The victim’s medical bills totaled $18,000.

Upon completion of the victim’s treatment the Law Offices of Donald W. Fohrman & Associates, Ltd., attempted to settle the case with the insurance company. The initial offer on the case was $23,000. The entire policy of $100,000 the at fault driver was demanded. Because the insurance company refused to increase their offer both parties agreed to arbitrate the case with a retired judge to avoid years of litigation.

After presenting the case to the arbitrator, Donald W. Fohrman & Associates, Ltd., was able to secure a result of $75,000.00 for the victim. We tripled the insurance company offer and the case was resolved within nine months of the accident.

It is not uncommon for insurance companies to offer the lowest compensation possible. The adjuster has an obligation to the insurance company to pay out as little as possible on a claim. However, only an experienced attorney can best determine the true value of a claim.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact the Law Offices of Donald W. Fohrman & Associates, Ltd., at 800-437-2571 and speak with experienced personal injuryattorney.

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On Wednesday, the Chicago City Council passed a proposed ban on texting while driving. The final vote is scheduled for the Oct 8, city council meeting. If approved, the ordinance will take effect later this month.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White spoke in favor of the ban and said he is pushing a statewide ban on texting while driving. “I believe that when you are texting you have your eyes off the wheel, you’re concerned about your sentence structure, you’re concerned about your spelling and at the same time you have to maintain master of the wheel,” White told the Chicago City Council. “We don’t believe you can do all those things and yet get from point A to point B in a safe and responsible manner.”

The proposal was sponsored by Ald. Edward Burke who also raised the possibility of banning reading or applying eye-make-up while driving

To read the complete article click here

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On Friday Sept. 26, Dennis Hernandez, a truck driver for Bret Michaels’ Rock of Love reality show, was driving a truck full of equipment West through Frankfurt Illinois when he allegedly fell asleep at the wheel. Hernandez lost control of the of the truck and crashed into a sports utility vehicle and pick-up truck. Two women were killed and two other people are in serious condition.

Out of respect for the accident victims, Michaels has requested that filming of the reality show be suspended. “ Bret Michaels has requested that his participation in the production of the series be temporarily suspended as he attempts to reach out to the families of the victims. Traveling separately, Mr. Michaels had left Illinois early Friday morning and was not near the scene of the accident,” said a spokesperson from US TV channel VH1.

Michaels adds, “As a father of two, I cannot even imagine what the families must be going through at this time. I will make every attempt to reach out to them to let them know that my heart and prayers are with them during their grief.”

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A Granite City man died as a result of his injuries sustained in a car accident last night at the intersection of Illinois 3 and Rock Road.

The driver of the car that crashed, Brian M. Withers, 44, of Granite City, died from a blunt head trauma injury.

A deputy from the Madison County Cororner’s office pronounced Mr. Withers dead at the scene of the car accident at 6:15p.m. At the time of the accident he was driving 1998 Ford Mustang headed south on Illinois 3.

He was approaching Rock Road. When he was preparing to turn right, he collided with Joseph Cangelosi 30, of Jerseyville who was driving a 2004 GMC Sierra pickup. Wither’s car hit the front of a tractor trailer which was stopped at the light on Rock Road.

Cangelosi suffered minor injuries.

The Madison County police has determined that, based on the indications at the scene of the accident, that Mr. Withers had been at fault.

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A Carrollton teen is in serious condition in a car crash with a cow in Greene County according to Illinois State Police.

The teen -- Cayla M. Davis, 17 -- was taken by ambulance to Boyd Memorial Hospital. The car crash took place on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 7:43 p.m. Davis is in serious condition, police said.

Illinois State Police report that Davis was driving south on Highway 67 about three miles north of Carrollton an oncoming car flashed its headlights. Davis she slowed down to about 35 mph. After reducing her speed she it hit something in the road, police said.

The cow found its way onto Highway 67. The cow was removed before police could get to the accident. The owner of the cow has not been found.

Davis was wearing her seatbelt.

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