Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog20-year old Melissa Lech was killed by a hit and run driver in 2008. Police didn’t have leads as to the identity of the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed Melissa as she was walking on the side of the road. Melissa was returning from a night out with friends. Melissa and her friends were returning from a White-Sox game and had gone into a Joliet sports bar. Since Melissa wasn’t of age she walked home and was struck and left on the side of the road to die. Sunday morning David H. McCarthy, 27, of Naperville showed up at Michelle Lech’s Joliet home and confessed to driving the vehicle that killed Melissa Lech. Michelle Lech is Melissa Lech’s older sister. Joliet police arrested David McCarthy Sunday night. “It appeared he was expecting them,” said Joliet police Cmdr. Brian Benton. McCarthy confessed to killing Lech’s sister at her kitchen table and as he was talking Michelle Lech spoke to her husband in polish and told him to get McCarthy’s license plate number. During the years since 2008 the Lech family offered a reward for any leads and the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup to participate in efforts to find Lech’s killer. It is unfortunate that a young woman would lose her life in such manner. Although McCarthy shouldn’t be regarded as brave, it is a relief that Melissa Lech’s killer was finally caught. If you or anyone you know have been involved in a pedestrian accident contact attorneys at Zneimer & Zneimer p.c. for your free personal injury consultation.
Articles Posted in Pedestrian Accidents
Text While Biking, Get a Ticket
Drivers in Chicago are aware that there is a ban on using cell phones while operating a vehicle and now that could extend to anyone operating a bicycle. If House Bill 3849 gets approved by state lawmakers police officers across Illinois will be able to hand out tickets to anyone caught either talking or texting on their mobile device while riding a bicycle. “This addresses beyond the road, this addresses the bike path as well,” Said Representative Kelly Cassidy of Chicago. Cassidy also says this bill is the result of bicycle safety groups calling for such a law. This law would be similar to the law already enforced on Illinois motorists. There was a 5-4 vote on Wednesday, February 8th where the House Transportation Committee endorsed the texting while biking ban with a goal of reducing accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident contact expert attorneys Zneimer & Zneimer p.c. for a free personal injury consultation.
The Bill needs to be approved by the full House, the Senate, and signed by the governor to go into effect. The bill will allow bicyclists to use hands-free devices while biking. With this Bill bicyclists can easily avoid a ticket if they pull over on the side of the road or path to text or make a phone call. Opposition to this law claims there are already enough laws. It seems that even with laws already in place car accidents and bicycle accidents still occur.
Victims of bicycle accidents should know their rights. Texting impairs motorist’s ability to focus on the road and can also have the same effect on bicyclists. When motorists and bicyclists take the necessary precautions and avoid distractions such as mobile devices, while operating either a vehicle or a bicycle, accidents can be avoided.
Children’s Safety Will Hit Your Wallet
Earlier this week Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill allowing the City of Chicago to use cameras to catch speeding drivers near schools. The bill known as S.B. 965 will go into effect on July 1 and allows speed enforcement cameras within 1/8 of a mile, or one city block, around schools and parks between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. each weekday. The speed enforcement cameras are to be used within 1/8 of a mile around parks from one hour before the parks open to one hour after they close, which means cameras will be shut off only between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. It also allows using existing red light cameras and mobile cameras to catch speeders within 1/8 of a mile of schools and parks in Chicago.
The Expired Meter website issued a Freedom of Information request on all calls, emails and letters from the public to the governor’s office to learn about the response to the legislation. So far it has been negative; of the 224 calls, letters, and emails about the speed camera bill, an overwhelming 91 percent were opposed to it. Governor Quinn’s response was, “You may get letters, perhaps emails. You know, you study each communication, but… I’m not sure that’s a scientific sampling of all the people of Illinois, I think there are some people who are for the bill and some aren’t for it and, you know, that happens in a lot of situations.”
Mayor Rahm Emanuel released a statement on Monday morning thanking Quinn.
Walking Under Historic Building Can Hurt You
As reported in CBS’ Historic Auburn-Gresham Building Torn Down After Partial Collapse, shortly after noon on Tuesday, January 31st, four people were injured when a three story historic building partially collapsed. The building, located on the northeast corner of 79th and Halsted, has been vacant for 20 years and was originally constructed in the 1880’s. It is owned by the city of Chicago. The debris falling from the building injured people on the street and caught two others under scaffolding.
Firefighters worked to remove the victims and searched under the rubble for an alleged fifth victim. According to the Chicago Fire Department it appears the top of the building’s brick façade collapsed along the roofline causing it to fall below. The scaffolding surrounding the building buckled as the roofline collapsed, trapping several pedestrians. Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Robert Hoff included that a tree had grown through the building’s roof and believes years of neglect, along with recent weather conditions, and the age of the building led to the building’s collapse.
Pedestrians with Headphones Have Greater Chance of Injury
As you walk through the streets of Chicago, everywhere you look fellow pedestrians all have on ear buds or head phones. This is especially true with joggers. These people may want to turn their music down next time they go for a jog or walk because according to University of Maryland researchers, use of iPods and other MP3 players make people much less aware of their environment, including oncoming traffic. This is particularly startling because almost everyone has a smart phone these days which have MP3 player capabilities. It’s as if people are deafly walking through the streets, unaware of all the impending dangers the city has to offer. The Chicago accident and injury firm Zneimer and Zneimer p.c. handle cases related to pedestrian injuries, whether caused by car, truck, or slip and fall. Please contact their office with any questions.
The lead researcher of the study, Dr. Richard Lichenstein found that people wearing headphones are at a higher risk of getting hit, injured, or even dying due to an accident. He claims that of these injuries, 70 percent proved to be fatal, and more than 50 percent of the victims were hit by trains. While these numbers seem a bit high, they are very believable. Chicago drivers can be a bit reckless and are always in a hurry. This is especially true with cab drivers. As I commute to work daily, I almost always usually see an accident almost happen, such as a biker getting hit by a car because neither was paying attention. The researchers report that between 2004 and 2005, there were 16 cases noted. However, that number rose to 47 between 2010 and 2011, nearly tripling. They found that the most common type of accident, at 55%, was being hit by a train. I would have guessed that the most common type would be being hit by a car. This is very shocking. The study also found that 75% of bystanders had actually seen the victim wearing headphones prior to the accident. Clearly these headphones are masking any sirens and outside noises.
A similar study was done in New Zealand in 1995 with 200 children. The study found that children with natural hearing problems were more likely to be hit by a car. It’s no surprise that Dr. Lichensteins study found similar results considering people are basically obstructing their own hearing with music. These people need to become more aware of their surroundings considering the city is full of many hidden dangers. Not only are they more likely to get hit by a car or train, but they may be easier pray for muggers or robbers. Bottom line, if you are venturing out into the world with your headphones on, please be aware of your surroundings. If you have been involved in a accident/injury, please contact injury attorneys Zneimer and Zneimer p.c. for a free personal injury consultation.
Lake Shore Drive Crosswalk Open Again
The pedestrian crosswalk from Buckingham Fountain to the Chicago lakefront is open again after 6 years. The city removed the chains that blocked pedestrians from crossing Lake Shore Drive to reach Lake Michigan at Queen’s Landing. The crosswalk was originally installed in 1988 after a 13 year old girl was stuck and killed by a car attempting to cross Lake Shore Drive to reach Queen’s Landing. In 2005 the crosswalk was closed and chains were put along the sidewalk to speed traffic on Lake Shore Drive. People still crossed Lake Shore Drive at that location to reach the lake. Two young festival goers were seriously injured during Lollapalooza when they attempted to cross Lake Shore Drive at that location and we hit by a car.
Luann Hamilton, CDOT deputy commissioner stated in the Chicago Tribune:”Traffic flow is important. But pedestrian safety is No. 1 priority and we have to make sure this location is safe for all users.”
The move is part of Mayor Emanuel’s goal of making the city of Chicago safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. Chicago’s first protected bike lanes were opened this summer on Kinzie Street downtown.
Another Chicago Child Killed In Crosswalk
A 6 year old Chicago girl was killed on Saturday when she was hit in a crosswalk while attempting to cross Loomis with her 16 year old sister. Diamond Robinson died at a local hospital after the accident. The accident happened around 8:20 p.m.
The driver, Thomas Young who was headed south bound on Loomis Ave. in Chicago at the time was cited by police for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, driving too fast and driving without insurance.
Relatives say that Diamond Robinson who was a first-grader at Brownell Elementary School enjoyed school and received an award for perfect attendance.
Yet Another Hit-And-Run Driver Kills Woman In Chicago
Two elderly women were run down in Chicago’s Jefferson Park Neighborhood on Sunday, killing one woman on her 82nd birthday. The second hit-and-run victim remains hospitalized at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. The hit-and-run vehicle was described as a dark blue or black Ford-150 with a ladder in the rear.
The Chicago Department of Transportation reports that 41% of vehicle-pedestrian collisions that are fatal involve hit-and-run drivers in Chicago, which is twice the national average. Chicago averages two hit-and run collisions with pedestrians involving injury or death everyday. Even though there is a law on the books in Chicago requiring drivers to stop for pedestrians preparing to cross in the crosswalk, the law appears never to be enforced. Chicago personal injury attorney Peter Zneimer witnessed at least fifteen cars fail to stop at the crosswalk as he attempted to cross Belmont Avenue near Leavitt Street in Chicago on Sunday even though he happened to be standing next to a mother with a baby stroller who was also waiting for the cars to stop at the crosswalk. No car stopped. When a gap in traffic finally presented itself attorney Peter Zneimer and the mother with the stroller practically had to run to avoid the on coming traffic that did not appear to even slow down. This crosswalk is about 3 blocks from the Belmont police station. Until Chicago police start enforcing the crosswalk laws in Chicago and start obeying the crosswalk law themselves when they are driving, Chicago will remain one of the most dangerous cities in the country for pedestrians and will continue to have more pedestrian injuries than the national average.
Chicago Pedestrian Critically Injured By Hit-And-Run Driver
An 87 year old Chicago man was struck by a hit-and-run driver and was left in critical condition the Chicago Tribune reported. Chicago police report that the accident happened at 3:50 p.m. near 4400 West Fullerton in Chicago. The hit-and-run driver drove a green Jeep Cherokee that then drove to a gas station near North Kostner Avenue and jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot. The critically injured pedestrian was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital.
A recent study by the Chicago Department of Transportation found that there there are an average of two hit-and-run pedestrian accidents that cause injury or death to the victim occurring every day in Chicago. Hit-and-run crashes account for 33% of all vehicle-pedestrian crashes that occur in Chicago. Additionally, hit-and run crashes account for 41% of the fatal vehicle-pedestrian crashes in Chicago which is twice the national average.
Chicago Transportation Commissioner expressed his concern: “I think we have this culture of speeding and reckless driving.” As Chicago personal injury attorneys, the law office of Zneimer & Zneimer handle many such cases. Many times the injured pedestrian has no insurance to cover his or her hospital visits so the victim is not only stuck with a devastating injury but also devastating medical bills.
Chicago Averages Two Hit-And-Run Pedestrian Crashes A Day
A study commissioned by the Chicago of Transportation has found that Chicago averages two hit-and-run crashes that cause injury or death everyday. Hit-and-run vehicle-pedestrian crashes account for 33% of all vehicle-pedestrian crashes according to this study. The Chicago personal injury law firm of Zneimer & Zneimer has seen first hand the damage these hit-and-run drivers do. Many injured pedestrians do not have any insurance coverage so they are not only hurt by the hit-and-run driver but they are also stuck with the medical bills and the consequences of not being able to work while they recover. Hit-and-run drivers are a major problem in Chicago with 5,534 incidents of hit-and-runs over a five year period resulting in 3,683 injuries or deaths according to the study.
Another striking finding was the study found that cabdrivers were involved in 28% of motorist-pedestrian crashes in Chicago, with most of these crashes occurring in downtown Chicago.