On February 4, a 15-year-old pedestrian was fatally injured when she was struck by a drunk driver in Chicago Ridge. The young girl was a student at Oak Lawn’s Richard High School. The very next morning, a 20-year-old woman was struck by a vehicle near the Rush University Medical Center. According to Chicago police, the woman suffered a broken hip and was treated at Chicago’s Stroger Hospital. 

For pedestrians in the greater Chicago area, the risk of being struck by a motor vehicle is very serious and all too familiar. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, more than 4,600 pedestrians were injured in car accidents in 2016 across the state. Of those injuries, 150 ultimately proved fatal. 

On January 30, Chicago experienced its second-coldest day in recorded history. With a high of 10 degrees below zero, the freezing temperatures prompted school and work closures throughout the city. For commuters in the greater Chicago area, the dramatic lowering of temperatures is a genuine cause for concern. While driving at extreme temperatures is always accompanied by a certain amount of risk, there are a few simple steps you can take to lower the chance of a motor vehicle collision. 

Driving Safely in Freezing Temperatures 

When driving in temperatures below freezing, it is important to act with extreme caution. Adjusting your driving habits to the inclement weather and preparing for potential hazardous scenarios can make all the difference in ensuring the safety of you and your family.

On January 21, a Markham woman fatally injured an off-duty Cook County Sheriff's deputy. The accident occurred when the 21-year-old woman was backing out on a busy street and crashed into the 33-year-old deputy’s vehicle. The deputy was quickly rushed to Christ Medical Center, but the medical team was unable to successfully treat his numerous injuries. As authorities arrived at the scene of the accident, the cause quickly became clear: the female driver was drunk and now faces multiple felony charges. 

Unfortunately, in Illinois and throughout the United States, drunk driving remains common. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), more than 300 Illinoisans died in accidents involving drunk drivers during a recent 12-month study. Still, strict enforcement of DUI laws has helped reduce inebriated driving deaths by 43 percent since 1997. 

On January 23, a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus crashed into a pole on Chicago Avenue, resulting in injuries to 15 people, including 13 bus passengers. The accident occurred when the bus driver lost control of the vehicle due to ice on the road and veered into oncoming traffic. In an attempt to avoid a collision with any other vehicles, the driver rapidly changed direction and ultimately collided with a street pole. While no passengers were killed in the accident, injuries to the 13 riders were severe enough to require hospitalization. For users of Chicago-area public transit, the collision served as a stirring reminder that accidents do occur while riding on public transportation. 

Bus Accidents in the United States

While the vast majority of Americans believe they are entirely safe while utilizing public transportation, bus accidents are actually quite common in the U.S. According to studies conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), around 225 Americans were killed in bus accidents in 2016. In the 10-year span from 2006-16, intercity transit bus accidents accounted for 13 percent of all fatal bus accidents across the country. 

An average of 153 Americans die from injuries related to brain trauma every day. Traumatic brain injuries are defined as an injury to the head that disrupts normal brain function. While the volume of fatal brain injuries is alarmingly high, the vast majority of these injuries are non-fatal and often present life-changing symptoms. A 12-month study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found more than 2.8 million Americans suffered brain trauma that required hospitalization. 

If you or a member of your family suffer a head injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.