Welcome to Chicago Auto Accident Lawyers. This website is intended to offer information about auto accidents and auto accident lawyers in the Chicago area. Search the categories to find valuable information concerning Chicago, auto accidents, auto accident insurance and the legal system as it pertains to auto accidents.

]]> http://www.chicagoautoaccidentlawyers.net/welcome-to-chicago-auto-accident-lawyers/car/settlement/feed/ 0 http://www.chicagoautoaccidentlawyers.net/chicago-and-its-transportation-infrastructure/car/settlement/ http://www.chicagoautoaccidentlawyers.net/chicago-and-its-transportation-infrastructure/car/settlement/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:49:21 +0000 admin http://www.chicagoautoaccidentlawyers.net/?p=95

Chicago and its Transportation Infrastructure
Chicago is a major transportation hub in the United States. It is an important component in global distribution, as it is the third largest inter-modal port in the world after Hong Kong and Singapore. Additionally, it is the only city in North America in which six Class I railroads meet. As of 2002, severe freight train congestion caused trains to take as long to get through the Chicago region as it took to get there from the West Coast of the country (about 2 days). About one-third of the country’s freight trains pass through the city, making it a major national bottleneck. Announced in 2003, the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) initiative is using about $1.5B in private railroad, state, local, and federal funding to improve rail infrastructure in the region to reduce freight rail congestion by about one third. This is also expected to have a positive impact on passenger rail and road congestion, as well as create new greenspace.

Chicago is the largest hub of passenger rail service in the nation. Many Amtrak long distance services originate from Union Station. Such services terminate in New York, Seattle, Portland, New Orleans, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Antonio, and Washington, D.C. Amtrak also provides a number of short-haul services throughout Illinois and toward nearby Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Saint Louis, and Detroit. An attempt was made in the early 20th century to link Chicago with New York City via the Chicago – New York Electric Air Line Railroad. Parts of this were built, but it was ultimately never completed.

Nine interstate highways run through Chicago and its suburbs. Segments that link to the city center are named after influential politicians, with four of them named after former U.S. Presidents. Traffic reports tend to use the names rather than interstate numbers.

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) coordinates the operation of the three service boards: CTA, Metra, and Pace. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) handles public transportation in the city of Chicago and a few adjacent suburbs. The CTA operates an extensive network of buses and a rapid transit elevated and subway system known as the ‘L’ (for “elevated”), with lines designated by colors. These rapid transit lines also serve both Midway Airport and O’Hare Airport. The CTA’s rail lines consist of the Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Brown, Purple, Pink, and Yellow lines. Both the Red and Blue lines offer 24 hour service which makes Chicago one of the few cities in the world (and one of only two American cities) to offer rail service every day of the year for 24 hours around the clock. A new subway/elevated line, the Circle Line, is also in the planning stages by the CTA. Metra operates commuter rail service in Chicago and its suburbs. The Metra Electric Line shares the railway with the South Shore Line’s NICTD Northern Indiana Commuter Rail Service, providing commuter service between South Bend and Chicago. Pace provides bus and paratransit service in over 200 surrounding suburbs with some extensions into the city as well. Bicycles are permitted on all CTA and Metra trains during non-rush hours and on all buses 24 hours.

Chicago offers a wide array of bicycle transportation facilities, such as miles of on-street bike lanes, 10,000 bike racks, and a state-of-the-art central bicycle commuter station in Millennium Park. The city has a 100-mile (160 km) on-street bicycle lane network that is maintained by the Chicago Department of Transportation Bike Program and the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. In addition, trails dedicated to bikes only are built throughout the city.

Chicago is served by Midway International Airport on the south side and O’Hare International Airport, the world’s second busiest airport, on the far northwest side. In 2005, O’Hare was the world’s busiest airport by aircraft movements and the second busiest by total passenger traffic (due to government enforced flight caps).[81] Both O’Hare and Midway are owned and operated by the City of Chicago. Gary/Chicago International Airport, located in nearby Gary, Indiana, serves as the third Chicago area airport. Chicago Rockford International Airport, formerly Greater Rockford Airport, serves as a regional base for United Parcel Service cargo flights, some passenger flights, and occasionally as a reliever to O’Hare, usually in times of bad weather. Chicago is the world headquarters for United Airlines, the world’s second-largest airline by revenue-passenger-kilometers and the city is the second largest hub for American Airlines. Midway airport serves as a major ‘focus city’ for Southwest Airlines, the world’s largest low-cost airline.

Finding A Car Accident Lawyer
by: Morgan Hamilton

Do you have a car? I’ll bet you do because most Americans love their cars. What would you do if you were driving your car and were in a serious accident that caused extensive damage? Well, based on who is at fault, the insurance companies will more or less be able to replace the car. That’s what you’re paying the big money for.

But what happens now to hear the cause of that accident? Or worse, been affected by the accident physically and emotionally? If this is the case then there’s not a whole lot that your insurance company will do for you. But based on the nature and status of the case, a car accident lawyer will be able to help you.

Like criminal lawyers specialize in crime, civil lawyers specialize in civic issues and litigation lawyers specialize in litigation, the car accident lawyer is a new breed of lawyer who can help you set the accident right. This is evident when the other motorist is the at fault party ought has poor or no insurance. At such instances, you will need to use the services of a car accident lawyer, who can not only get you adequate money and respite, but will guide you through the mountains of information that make up these situations.

I’ll give you an example of something that happened to a family member of my. He was happily driving along when out of the blue, a speeding car jumped the signal and crashed into him. My friend suffered not just concussions and broken ribs, but also had his car nearly totaled. To make things worse, the other driver was just a young kid didn’t have a drivers license or automobile insurance. So, he decided to use the services of a car accident lawyer.

This car accident lawyer was good. He actually was able to get my relative some monetary relay, but was also able to negotiate with his insurance company so they would not raise his premiums, seeing as it wasn’t his fault to begin with. Since then, my obviously elated relative has been going around recommending the services of the car accident lawyer to every one he knows. That’s how I heard about the guy and if I needed him I would use him.

But remember, like most other legal issues, using the services of a car accident lawyer can prove to be a double edged sword. If you are victorious and that’s fantastic. But if you happen to lose your particular case, remember that you will be on the hook for financial payments rather than the one receiving compensation. So evaluate your chances before you whip out the phone book and ask for a car accident lawyer.

Article courtesy of Articlecity.com

What to Look For In an Auto Body Repair Shop
By: Terry Fitzroy

It’s unfortunate but every day of the week all around the world auto accidents occur and they do occur few are prepared for the costly repairs that result. To make sure that you are getting quality repairs for the best price here’s what to look for in an auto body repair shop.

Selecting the right auto body repair shop will save you a lot of stress and money and you’ll know that you’ll get a decent repair. The first thing you need to do is have a look around the auto body repair shop. You might only be able to sneak a glance but that can tell you an awful lot as to whether you want to hire them.

Is the shop well lit? Is it nice and clean? Does the equipment look modern and well maintained? Up to date equipment means you are getting the best in repairs.

If they will allow you to take a tour of their shop it’s nice to browse around and talk to staff. Don’t be surprised if they deny your request because due to safety precautions. However some also allow for short tours while no jobs are in progress.

While you are in there take a quick scan of the area and see if there are signs of plaques that indicate special training staff has undergone or safety awards that have been won. These are often displayed out in the office where they are visible to customers.

Training and qualifications are really important when it comes to doing high quality auto body repairs. If the team knows what they are doing your repair will look just like new and no one will know there was even a repair.

Windows may need to be replaced, parts such as lighting, fenders, grill, or doors may be damaged and either need to be repaired or fixed, and chances are you are going to need some painting.

When you receive your vehicle back inspect the paint for small paint bubbles that are still there after the work is completed and set. You should also check the glass to make sure it is secure and doesn’t, shake, rattle, or leak.

Before you turn your car over for repairs you will want to know their policy if you are not happy with the work. Will they fix it for no charge or will there be additional fees. How long is the warranty for? How long will it take for the repairs to be completed?

When you pick up your car it is important to take some time to exam all the work that has been done and if you spot anything that does not appear to be right mention it immediately. If you notice nothing at the shop but spot something when you get home then it is important to notify them as soon as possible.

Now that you know what to look for in an auto body repair shop there’s a good chance that your vehicle repairs will be good as new and nobody will ever know that your car was in an accident.

About the Author:
Terry Fitzroy is a professional writer and reviewer specializing in efile, tax refunds, and taxes online. For further information and/or to efile your taxes visit http://www.taxworks.com

How to Prevent Car Accidents
By: Wolfgang Jaegel

Car accident, otherwise known as car crash, auto accidents, road accidents, or car wrecks, is a condition in which one vehicle collides with another vehicle or some object in the road, thereby resulting either in injury of a person or the damage of a property. Sometimes, road as well as bad weather or environmental conditions also lead to car accidents. It is estimated that about two million people die of car accidents across the world per year.

Al though, in recent years, several innovative campaigns have been arranged to avoid car accidents, still car crashes occur frequently. Mostly, car accidents occur due to rash and careless driving. Road accidents also happen sometimes due to disorderliness and lack of patience. Further, car accidents are common during bad weather and winter season. Discussed further in this article are some of the effective tips that help you prevent car accidents to a large extent.

First step in order to avoid car accidents is to follow traffic rules and regulations. Another important thing that should be considered is to put on seat belt while driving. Wearing seat belt would be annoying for many people. But, this is highly vital, as wearing seat belt would reduce the chances of road accidents. Not only drivers, passengers including adults and kids are also recommended to put on seat belt. In some nations, it has been even made mandatory to wear seat belt.

Further, one of the best ways to avoid car accidents is to be a defensive driver. You may be a cautious driver, but it is not necessary that you would be able to overcome a reckless driving. But, being a defensive driver, you could foresee probable road crashes. Also, a great way to avoid road accidents is via being courteous. Being courteous makes you more cautious and intends you to not race against other vehicles.

According of records, one of the prime causes for car crashes is because of drunk driving, which in turn is a condition in which a driver operate a car or vehicle while being under the influence of drugs or alcohol that may lead to mental as well as motor skills imparity. Many of the fatal accidents are because of drunk driving. But, drunk driving is completely preventable.

All you have to do in order to avoid road crashes as a result of drunk driving is to refrain from taking any kind of harmful drugs or alcohol. You can also minimize car accidents via maintaining a constant speed as well as through leaving a safe distance between your vehicle and other vehicles. Also, a useful tip to avoid road accidents is by adjusting mirrors properly and via checking the side as well as rear mirrors at least in every 15 seconds.

Intersections are considered a prime cause for many road accidents. Hence, special care must be taken when proceeding through intersections by looking left, then right, and then again left side in order to ensure that the area is absolutely clear. Apart from these, have a clear idea on the road conditions. This would be highly beneficial when you drive during rainy or winter season. Also, keep your car’s lights on when driving at dusk and dawn and during rainy seasons. Other useful tips that help you avoid road accidents are:

- Avoid cell phone when driving
- Check your car in regular intervals, ie constantly monitor its tires, brakes, lights, and mirrors
- Have a clear idea regarding the limitations of your car
- Keep your vehicle in good working condition
- Always keep your vehicle neat and tidy
- As far as possible, avoid driving during night
- In addition to avoiding alcohol and other dangerous drinks, it would be better to avoid taking some food items while driving such as coffee, hot soups, barbequed dishes, soft drinks, and chocolates

Above all, driving a quality car could help minimize road accidents to an extent!

About the Author:
As one of the world’s most exciting and prestigious brand, Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong offers luxury passenger cars and commercial vehicles extensive choice of Vito, Sprinter, Viano, Actros, Axor and Atego to the customers in Hong Kong and Macau.

Choosing The Right Auto Insurance
By: Dave Davies

In nearly every state, there is a law on getting insurance for your vehicle. If you’re looking for auto insurance, do you know what the minimal regulations are? Also, you should know that the legal minimum required coverage could not be enough. If your car is ever stolen or damaged, by your fault or someone else’s, if you are under insured, you could be paying out a lot more to replace or repair your car, or for personal injuries.

Americans pay out as much as $900 a year on auto insurance, and if you have a newer, more expensive model of car, you’d be paying a lot more. Still, many people might find themselves under-insured, or even over-insured in the wrong places. How can you figure out how much coverage you actually need?

This might seem complicated, but there are really only a handful of specific types of coverage that you might need. If you focus on the main parts of different auto insurance policies, you can be sure to get the right types of coverage. The next step after that is selecting the right amount to cover for your vehicle.

How Much Coverage Do You Need?

The variety of different auto insurance coverage options available are designed to fit into whatever you need, though most people find themselves under-insured, or with the wrong type of coverage. Every state has regulations on how much auto insurance you need, but these laws are often way lower than what you might actually need if you are ever in a serious auto accident.

You can also be over-insured. There are types of policies that might not be suitable for you and your situation. Obviously, you pay more for the more coverage you have. You’ll need to select the right type of insurance for you.

It always depends on your situation, but on average, between $100,000 and $250,000 is recommended for personal injury insurance. Make sure your policy will also cover you if you are not at fault, and if the other driver is under-insured. You should also consider how much coverage you’ll need with an older model car. If you own an older car, the insurance policy comprehensive coverage will cost a lot less.

Remember, your coverage is going to be different depending on the type of car you drive, as well as how often you drive, and your driving record. The more accidents you are involved in, obviously the more you’ll pay out in insurance. You’ll also pay more for a car that is targeted and stolen more often, like sports cars or SUVs. The less you drive, a clean driving record, and a less expensive car will save hundreds of dollars on insurance.

The Different Auto Insurance Coverage Types

There are several types of options when it comes to auto insurance coverage. While you might need more in one area, or less in another area, you should get at least the minimum required by the state in each area as required, and then increase it for what you’ll need more of.

Liability insurance coverage is the basic type of insurance you’ll find available. It covers you and your property if you were at fault in an auto accident. In some cases this includes all the legal costs, though you should double-check the policy to make sure this is included as well. This might also fall over collision coverage, this is the case that you run into an object and not another car. This type of insurance will cover that. Some don’t. Always double-check your insurance policy so you know what is included.

This type of policy doesn’t cover if the other person is at fault, however. So you’ll probably also need under-insured motorist coverage. This type of coverage will help you out if the other party is not covered in insurance, or is under-insured and their policy has a limit on how much they will pay out. This will help in case you get in an accident, and the medical bills or damages outweigh the policy by the under-insured motorist.

Comprehensive coverage is often required if your car is financed, via the bank or the car company. Comprehensive insurance coverage pays out on a variety of circumstances, such as theft, arson, natural disasters or other sorts of vandalism. Under this coverage, you’ll have a deductible. A deductible is how much you will pay, out of pocket, to cover the costs of damage or replacement, before the insurance company will start paying out. If the deductible is high, the monthly rate, or premium you pay, will be lower.

You should also seriously look at personal injury protection. So many people skimp out on this one, thinking they won’t need so much, or assume someone else who is in an auto accident will cover the costs. You’ll want personal injury protection auto insurance because this covers medical costs no matter who was at fault, and often enough if there was no third party. You’ll also want to make sure who is covered by the personal injury protection policy, because it might just cover you and your family you’ve registered, and not anyone else who might happen to have been riding with you in your car.

If you own a classic car, there is special insurance just for your car. This covers car models older than 25 years and has different variables depending on what you need. This is separate from other types of policies so you’ll have to ask for this type of coverage specifically. Check the policy, you might be limited on how many miles you can drive your car every year to be covered.

With the number of different policies out there, you should consider talking to an auto insurance broker. A broker could let you know exactly how much coverage you might need for you and your family. One should also be able to help you pick policies out from different insurance companies. An auto insurance broker will not cost you any more money, but you’ll get a better idea of what coverage you need, and a wider variety of options to choose from.

ClickInsure is a leading broker for health, life and auto insurance in California. When you need great advice or want to compare auto insurance quotes be sure to visit ClickInsure.com.