Accident Lawyer News: Hit-and-Run Roundup

 

Illinois Hit and Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents are a growing problem all across the nation, and they occur more often than you’d think. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that hit-and-run drivers cause 11 percent of all crashes in the United States. If the foundation’s numbers are correct, there were approximately 617,000 hit-and-run accidents in 2012.
Of course, some of these accidents only involve property damage, but many hit-and-run drivers injure bicyclists and pedestrians each year. As you might imagine, most car accidents involving pedestrians end in tragedy.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,743 pedestrians lost their lives after car accidents in 2012.

Chicago Hit & Run Accident

CBS Chicago reports that a young girl died after a reckless driver struck her in the road. Police say that 14-year-old Shatoya Batiste was walking across the street to reach her home in an apartment complex when a man struck her and drove away.
Paramedics arrived and rushed her to the hospital in critical condition. Not long after, doctors pronounced her dead. Meanwhile, police continued to investigate the accident and reported that a car pulled up to the scene.
Witnesses told police that the car was the one that struck the girl, and officers immediately arrested the driver, 59-year-old John Severson.

Man Faces Several Charges After the Hit-and-Run Accident

It’s not clear whether or not Severson returned to the scene out of guilt. However, his motives for leaving the scene are easy to guess. Police charged him with operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving on a restricted license.
Fleeing from a ticket is a common theme among hit-and-run drivers; most are driving without privileges or drinking and driving at the time of their accidents.
In addition to his other charges, Severson faces a felony for failing to report an injury accident. If convicted, he could face seven years in prison.
If you’ve suffered a serious injury in an accident with a negligent driver, you’ll need a dedicated Illinois personal injury lawyer on your side to help you seek the compensation you need to recover.
At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we’ve been representing injured parties in Chicago since 1924, so you can count on us to offer you advice based on real experience. We are available to evaluate your case whether you were walking, cycling or driving at the time of your accident.
To arrange a free initial consultation with a Chicago injury lawyer, call us at (800) 985-1819.

Local Cyclist Died Following a Recent Hit-and-Run Accident

According to CBS Chicago, Jeffrey Schultz was riding his bike home at 11 p.m. when a speeding motorist struck him from behind and left him injured in the road. Witnesses reported that the accident was so loud that they thought is was between two cars.
Paramedics arrived and found Schultz lying unresponsive on the sidewalk. They pronounced him dead at the scene. Police are still searching for the driver.
If you’ve lost a loved one to a negligent driver, don’t hesitate to call us. An accident lawyer from Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates can help you pursue justice for your loved one through a personal injury lawsuit.
To discuss an accident with an experienced attorney, please call us at (800)-985-1819.