Deadly Train Crash in Rockford, Illinois - 1 Dead, 3 Injured

In Rockford, Illinois a woman was killed Friday night after a Canadian National Railway Co. freight train derailed, according to the N.Y. Times. The victim was in a car waiting for the train to pass by. The rail cars were carrying ethanol, and when 18 cars derailed there was a large explosion. Hundreds of people from nearby homes had to be evacuated.

At one point 14 train cars were on fire, and 5 were still burning the next morning. The flames lasted though Saturday. 74 cars on the train were carrying ethanol.

Three other people at the scene were able to flee from their cars and survive, however they were severely burned. They were taken to area hospitals for treatment. The woman who died, Zoila Tellez of Rockford, also tried to flee, but only made it 20 feet and then collapsed.

The Chicago area train crash being investigated by the Federal Railroad Administration, Canadian National, and the National Transportation Safety Board.

The Associated Press has reported that the NTSB was taking a look at high water levels in the area of the crash as a possible cause. There was heavy rainfall in the Chicago area during the days prior to the derailment.

It has not been reported if the estate of the the deceased or the burn victims have retained personal injury lawyers to pursue a civil claim

Fewer trains blocking area roads could reduce traffic accidents, Chicago car accident laywers say

There are fewer instances of trains blocking Chicago streets, Canadian National Railway told regulators Tuesday, but acknowledged more work needs to be done after its purchase of Chicago area-tracks from Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway.

The company said it had 11 instances of trains blocking Chicago-area streets for 10 minutes or longer in May, compared to 14 in April and 50 in March when it first acquired the tracks that arc westward around Chicago through Illinois and Indiana suburbs, according to a report Tuesday in the Journal of Commerce.

The Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes monitor the local railway industry and its impact on motorists' safety. In addition to the deadly Rockford, IL, train crash last week, which was also operated by Canadian National Railway, instances of trains blocking area roads for an extended length of time can lead to car accidents.

Rear-end collisions are common. Motorists also can become understandably frustrated with the delay and attempt to drive around down-track gates, leading to the potential for accident and injury once the train begins moving again. And, when train blockages at intersections become a common occurrence, motorists can sometimes try to get through ahead of an oncoming train.

The Canadian railroad company also reported the duration of the delays is declining -- from several instances of roadway traffic being stalled for hours because of stopped trains in March, to two lengthy delays in April and one last month.

That train stretched more than a mile long with 106 loaded railcars and blocked a road at Joliet, Ill., for an hour, after stalling on an uphill climb as it headed out of town.

The company reports corrective action for each blockage in an attempt to pacify suburban complaints, where the acquisition is being contested in federal court. It also admitted the problem has been alleviated somewhat by a down economy and fewer freight loads and train trips.

Canadian National Railway also said it has made safety presentations at several area schools, and has posted 225 “no trespassing” signs on its railroad property from Gary, Ind., to West Chicago.

If you or someone you love has been in an accident with a train or a Chicago car accident you believe was caused by a train, talking to an experienced personal injury or wrongful death lawyer can help protect your rights. The Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABLES. There is no fee unless you win.

Chicago DUI Car Accident - 9 Year Old Child Injured

On the South Side of Chicago a single car accident has resulted in a nine-year-old's head being thrown into a windshield, and the child's mother being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, according to ABC News. The mother, Cheryl Ranae Reynolds, hit a viaduct Saturday night near East 83rd and South Jeffery after she allegedly reached down to pick up a bottle alcohol she dropped on the floor.

The mother has been charged with aggravated DUI and not wearing a seat belt. The Chicago Police Department is handling the investigation. The extent of the child's injuries have not yet been reported.

While the mother caused the accident, that fact does not bar an injury claim by the minor child against her mother and mother's auto insurance carrier. If the mother had valid auto insurance, the child will be able to pursue a claim.

In a similar case, personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes currently represent a father who lost his two daughters in an auto accident. The girls were in their mother's minivan when she crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head on.

The fact that the mother's actions caused the accident does not bar the childrens' estates from recovering against the mother's estate and her insurance company. Car accident lawyers at our law firm expect to recover the insurance policy limits on behalf of the childrens' estates over the next several weeks.

Chicago personal injury lawyer interviewed on public radio about proposed Illinois insurance law, minimum coverage standards

Chicago personal injury lawyer Dave Abels was interviewed on WUIS 91.9 Wednesday about pending legislation that would criminalize driving without insurance and the need to increase Illinois' minimum mandatory coverage levels.

"The way the law stands right now it just doesn't provide real protection for people who are seriously injured in auto accidents," said Abels, of Abels & Annes, a Chicago law firm that handles car accidents, motorcycle accident and other personal injury claims. "It covers you for small accidents but not the big accidents that you really care about where your life is changed forever."

The station contacted Abels after he blogged about the law last month here at www.chicagopersonalinjurylawyerblog.com

Under current law, uninsured motorists face a fine of $500 to $1,000 and a license suspension for 3-6 months. The new law, which is awaiting signature by Gov. Pat Quinn, makes driving without insurance a misdemeanor criminal offense carry the threat of up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

The law is named after Michael Dean, who was killed in 2006 by an uninsured driver who faced only a fine.

Abels said the new law is a step in the right direction but the state still needs to address its low mandatory insurance limits of $20,000 per accident and $40,000 per occurrence.

During the interview, Abels acknowledged that increased mandatory protection would be an added cost for motorists, but said the costs would be minimal and worth the added protection.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a car accident, the Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes offer free appointments to discuss your case. Call toll free (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

Chicago car accident lawyers note impact of Facebook photos on DUI homicide case

A 20-year-old Campton Hills woman was fitted with an alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelet on Thursday after pictures of her partying with college students appeared on Facebook as she awaits trial on charges of reckless homicide and aggravated DUI stemming from a July 2007 South Elgin crash that killed a motorcyclist.

The car accident attorneys and personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes follow the impact of social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. Such evidence is increasingly relied upon by law enforcement and more and more attorneys are attempting to get it admitted into the courtroom.

The defendant had been ordered not to consume alcohol or be around people who were drinking. But South Elgin police found the photos of the accused, who attends college in Ohio, drinking with friends.

"It appears the defendant is having a grand old time drinking tequila," Judge Thomas Mueller was quoted as saying in the Chicago Tribune.

Assistant State's Attorney Steve Sims argued for the monitor, telling the court the defendant had previously violated her bail by failing to report by phone to the county court services department.

The defense attorney argued against the bracelet, saying it would hold his client up to scorn.

The judge cited with prosecutors, quoting the caption of one of the Facebook photos: "Erika passed out in bed. Ha. Ha."

The Tribune quoted Jennifer Grasz, a spokeswoman for careerbuilder.com, who said the defendant's situation shows the dangers of posting questionable material online.

"Once you post something online, it's online for an unlimited amount of time," Grasz said.

Chicago bicycle accident lawyers at Abels & Annes call for summer of safety and awareness

The bicycle accident lawyers at Abels & Annes join Chicago and Illinois authorities in advocating safety and awareness this summer to reduce bicycle accidents.

The Chicago Department of Transportation began a series of 20 Share the Road events last week that will stretch across five city wards and into August in an effort to increase awareness.

"To ensure everyone's safety, all users of the public way need to follow the rules," said CDOT Commissioner Thomas G. Bryrne. "Safety is our No. 1 priority and the Share the Road program is an effective way to work toward that goal."

Nationwide, 698 bicyclists were killed and another 44,000 seriously injured in 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Bicycling is a popular form of recreation and a practical means of travel for more than 4 million people in Illinois. But the Illinois Department of Transportation estimates more than 4,000 Illinois residents are seriously injured each year in bicycle accidents.

IDOT has released a public service announcement for the summer, emphasizing the legal requirement to give cyclists at least three-foot of clearance when making a pass. "There is plenty of room for us all, Please Don't Squeeze."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the majority of bicycle accidents occur between 5 and 9 p.m.

"Our goal is to keep everyone on the road safe," 42 Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly said. "Cyclists need to be protected but they also need to ride responsibly and follow the laws of the road."

The city plans to have 500 miles of bike trails by 2015 -- motorists should remember every bicycle on the road means one less car adding to the congestion.

An excellent map of Chicago-area bike paths and trails is available by clicking here.

Citywide, law enforcement is receiving special training to enforce the new bicycle safety ordinances that were passed in March 2009 -- and the city's bike-lane parking ordinance will carry a $150 fine, up from $100 last year.

IDOT offers the following rider safety tips as part of its Summer Survival Guide.

-Bicycle helmets are essential to reducing the chances of a serious head injury during a crash.

-Wear bright-colored clothing during the day and white or reflective clothing at night.

-Avoid riding at night if possible. If you do ride at night, the law requires your bike be equipped with a front light and rear red reflectors.

-Always ride with the traffic flow, as close to the right edge of the road as possible.

-Obey all traffic signals, markings and directions from police.

-Use hand signals.

-Learn to look over your shoulder without losing your balance or swerving to the left.

-Do not pass to the right, motorists often will not look in that direction for cyclists.

-When moving the same speed as traffic, ride in the middle of the lane, especially in heavy traffic.

-Keep both hands on the brakes. Allow extra time for stopping in the rain.

-Be alert for cars pulling out and make eye contact with the driver to ensure you're seen.

-Do not weave between parked cars.

-Always ride one to a bike.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, there are things you can do to help protect your rights. The bicycle accident lawyers at Abels& Annes offer free appointments to discuss your case. Call toll free at (866)-99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.