Chicago Car Accident Attorney Blog

The Illinois Department of Transportation dispatched its full fleet this morning on Chicago area expressways after several spinouts were reported due to black ice.

Cars were spinning out of control. Some vehicles ending up in ditches after trying to enter or exit highway ramps. Most of the problems were reported north and west of the city.

Marisa Kollias, an IDOT spokesperson said the department sent out 365 salt trucks this morning. "Black ice is difficult to deal with," said Kollias, "but once we salt it, it usually resolves the issue. The ice was blamed on a the flooding and extreme temperature changes the area has experienced in the last several days.

In some areas, potholes were creating an even bigger problem than the black ice. Motorists are being warned to use extreme caution while driving through these areas. One area in particular is the southbound Tri-State at Grand Ave in Gurnee. Several large potholes have been reported in this area.

A three car accident on Palatine Rd just west of Milwaukee Ave, resulted in the victims of the accident being extricated from their cars. Only minor injuries were reported.

A roll over accident was reported in Libertyville on Milwaukee Ave. That driver had to be extricated, but authorities were unaware of the extent of their injuries.

Emaliee Allbee 17, from Hazel Green, Wis remembers asking to be let out of the car she was riding in, but the memory feel thin, it has nearly vanished from her mind leaving her only the sensation of grasping into empty space.

Allbee was a passenger in a car driven by 16 year-old driver Adam Pergande. Pergande was driving at speeds up to 70 mph and jumping hills through an intersection at Louisburg Rd and Grant County Z near Hazel Green. The car was going fast enough to become airborne, according to a Grant County criminal complaint.

Pergande stopped the car. It was at this point that Allbee took her seat belt off to get out of the car. Pergande took off again. Pergande tried to jump the intersection going the opposite direction, but lost control and rolled his car.

The other passenger's got out of the car and were searching for Allbee who was thrown through a window. Allbee was found, face down in a ditch with her hands covering her eyes.

A push to save lives

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation teen drivers are more wreckless than older drivers. They are more likely to speed, to drive too fast in bad conditions and to lose control and not pay attention when they are driving.

Lawmakers across the country are strengthening licensing laws for teen drivers by adding more restrictions before allowing teenage drivers to get behind the wheel by themselves. Several states are increasing the age for a driver to get a learner's permit. Experts say these kinds of changes save lives and reduces accidents involving teenage drivers.

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