Yesterday morning, September 20, as my wife and I pulled up to our favorite bagel restaurant, New York Bagel & Bialy, on Touhy Rd. in Skokie, we were in shock with what we saw: a car had driven through the glass storefront of the bagel restaurant, and there was a person lying on the… Read More
Study: More Women Drunk Driving, Causing DUI-Related Deaths
According to data released Thursday by the United States government, the number of women driving under the influence of alcohol has increased dramatically in the last decade. According to data released by the Department of Transportation and the FBI, the number of women arrested for drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs increased… Read More
Kennedy “Suicide” Merge Lane Renovation to Prevent Serious Vehicle Accidents
Last week was dominated by the Virigina Tech study on distracted driving, and Illinois Govern Patrick Quinn’s signing of a measure that bans texting and emailing while driving. Another safety issue being currently being addressed to prevent motor vehicle accidents in Chicago is the Kennedy Expressway “suicide” merge lane renovation. The Illinois Department of Transportation… Read More
Study Links Texting While Driving To Serious Car Accidents
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute recently completed a national study on cell phone use and driving distraction that adds to the mounting body of evidence that driving while dialing, talking or texting is dangerous, if not deadly. The findings come as no surprise to experienced car accident lawyers, namely that distracted drivers are a substantial… Read More
NTSB Motor Vehicle Safety “Most Wanted List” Still Applicable in Illinois
As car accident lawyers and tractor-trailer attorneys in Chicago are acutely aware, transportation accidents continue to take a huge toll on our society not only in Illinois, but nationwide. In November 2008, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) created a Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements, many of which are designed to reduce the… Read More
Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Assessing Liability in a Motor Vehicle Accident
At Passen & Powell, our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers handle a small number of catastrophic injury cases — involving permanent injury (such as traumatic brain injury, paralysis or disfigurement) or wrongful death. Our top Chicago car accident and truck accident lawyers also handle cases where the injuries are less severe (e.g., fractures, herniated discs… Read More
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM) Claims in Illinois
Despite the catchy Safe Auto jingle, many motorists in Illinois remain uninsured or underinsured. As the economy continues to suffer, more people may see car insurance as a luxury they cannot afford. Unfortunately, the presence of uninsured and underinsured motorists takes a huge toll on our society, especially when those uninsured motorists are involved in… Read More
Client, Not Attorney, Must Sign Response to Request to Admit, Even if Client Cannot be Located
Chicago personal injury lawyers occasionally represent difficult clients, including those that are sometimes difficult to locate. The Illinois Appellate Court for the First District recently decided a case that stresses the importance of effective, timely communication between the client and his or her personal injury lawyer. In Brookbank v. Olson, No. 1-08-1069 (Ill. App. Ct…. Read More
Common Fund Doctrine Applies to Medical Payments in Illinois Injury Settlement
To the relief of Chicago personal injury lawyers, a divided Illinois Appellate Court for the Fourth District recently held that the “common fund doctrine” applied reimbursement of injured plaintiff’s medical payments paid by plaintiff’s insurer. Stevens v. Country Mutual Ins. Co., 2008 WL 5473299 (Ill. App. Ct. 4th Dist. Dec. 31). The facts of the case involve… Read More
Liability for Car Accidents Caused by Drunk Drivers in Illinois
As summer approaches, the number of alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents will begin to rise. As we all know, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can often have catastrophic consequences. Each year, pedestrians, passengers, and drivers of other vehicles are seriously injured or killed by drunk drivers. It becomes critical to speak to a… Read More
