June is Pedestrian Injury Awareness Month

"Summer weather means more runners, walkers, cyclists and scooters. Whether you're driving your car or a pedestrian, it's imperative to be alert. Your life could depend on it." - Attorney Howard Ankin

I once represented a cyclist who was struck by a car while training for a triathlon. The defendant became lost in the rain and cut off my client when she turned a corner. My client was thrown into and through the car’s windshield. Fortunately, she survived the accident but required substantial medical, physical, and mental treatments to recover - which she did. There are many complicating factors associated with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) This case, required over 20 depositions with doctors and therapists.  From neurological care to psychologists, experts in photophobia (light sensitivity), and tinnitus, multiple modes of treatment were required for a full recovery. Detail and rigor is paramount to our firm with every case we work up. When it comes to closed head injuries, the complexity only multiplies. It’s important to be represented by a firm with deep knowledge and experience. This is one of our practice areas I hope our readers never have to experience. But if you, or someone you know, experiences a traumatic brain injury, I can tell you that Ankin Law will bring every resource to bear to get you the best care and best legal services possible. Be careful, be a defensive runner or rider, and always wear a helmet - Howard

Attorney Telly Liapis settles pedestrian injury case for 1.4MM

On Sunday, August 15, 2020 Allen M had no idea his life would change forever. On this day, Allen was walking his dog on a residential street in Will County Illinois just one block from his home, when he was struck by a car and suffered catastrophic injuries. He survived the accident, but was transferred from the ER near his home to Loyola Medical Center in Chicago for emergency surgery. Many months of rehab followed and today Allen is confined to a wheelchair. The driver’s insurance company offered Allen $525,000 to settle his case. Despite his need money to help with his daily expenses, Attorney Liapis advised Allen to reject the offer and take the insurance company to Court. Allen agreed with the firm’s recommendation which ultimately was the best decision he made in his case. Less than six months into the litigation, the insurance company agreed to pay him 1.4 million to settle his case.

"It's important to know when to go to court and when to settle a case. My client's injuries were life altering so taking the insurance company to court wasn't just an option, it was what we needed to do to get my client the compensation he deserved." - Attorney Telly Liapis

Crash deaths rising. Reforms needed.

Shortly before he was killed by a car while crossing the street, Peter Paquette attended a rally to educate people about the importance of voting early. A longtime volunteer for the 47th Ward, Paquette, 75, was always working to make his community better, said Ald. Matt Martin, who shook hands with Paquette at the rally just before he died. “He was just a terrific person and such a kind, thoughtful individual,” Martin said. “He was also someone who was incredibly passionate about the opportunities that government could create when doing things correctly.” Paquette’s death was at least the third in recent weeks in Chicago in which a vehicle struck and killed someone, including two young children killed a week apart. Crash deaths rising In the most recent fatality on Sunday, Paquette was killed around 5:15 p.m. when he was hit by a car while he crossed Irving Park Road in a crosswalk in the North Center neighborhood, police said. Earlier, on June 2, a driver heading west in the 2200 block of West Eastwood Avenue hit and killed 2-year-old Raphael Cardenas,who went by Rafi, just before 6 p.m., according to Chicago police. The toddler had been crossing the street on a mini-scooter in his Lincoln Square neighborhood, police said. One week later, on June 9, 3-year-old Lily Grace Shambrook was killed when a semitruck collided with the bicycle she was being carried on in the 1100 block of West Leland Avenue in Uptown, Chicago police said.  Reforms In the days since Paquette and the toddlers were killed, calls for reform have grown, with a message that the roads are not just for cars, and should not be designed as such. Experts point to vehicle speed as a major factor in whether a crash is fatal. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 20 miles per hour has a 90% chance of surviving, while a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 40 miles per hour has a 20% chance, according to an analysis of federal data cited by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Victoria Barrett, a transportation planner with CMAP, said measures like narrowing traffic lanes, adding speed bumps and tightening intersections by extending the curbs can help lower speeds, she said. So can city policy, like setting speed limits, she said. Read the complete Chicago Tribune article

Where Do Most Child Pedestrian Accidents Happen? Although children may be hit by cars in a variety of situations, child pedestrian accident statistics indicate that most child pedestrian accidents happen near school zones and bus stops, around parks and play areas, in or near driveways, in parking lots, and in residential areas where there are a lot of parked cars. Nearly half of child pedestrian accidents that injure or kill children between the ages of 1 and 4 are backover accidents that occur when a vehicle is backing out of a driveway.  Backover Accidents Involving Children Backover accidents take the lives of roughly 50 children every week. To help reduce the number of backover accidents that injure or kill children, congress recently enacted the Cameron Gulbransen Act. The Act, was named for a 2-year-old who was killed when an SUV backed over him because the vehicle’s blind spot made it virtually impossible for the driver to see the child. The Act requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to adopt new safety standards and implement the use of technology to help prevent backover injuries and deaths.  Child Pedestrian Accidents in Crosswalks Approximately 30% of Chicago pedestrian accidents cause fatalities to happen on marked crosswalks. Although city officials have made numerous improvements to crosswalks in the city, including the installation of timed countdown crossing signals, pedestrian refuge islands, and in-road crosswalk signs, their efforts may not be enough. Large intersections that are designed to accommodate massive amounts of motor vehicle traffic remain difficult for pedestrians to cross, and smaller intersections pose risks when negligent drivers fail to watch for foot traffic.  Pedestrian Accident Injuries in School Zones Teen pedestrian safety statistics reveal that school zones are not as safe as they could be. Speeding drivers, unsafer pick-up and drop-off locations, driver and pedestrian distractions, unmarked crosswalks, and other inadequate safety measures contribute to pedestrian accidents that injure or kill thousands of children every year. Read the complete article

Ankin Law supports the Chicago Sky

Howard recently filmed several commercials with Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley of the Chicago Sky. Courtney and Allie are top guards in the WNBA, starters for Chicago, and spouses. Together on and off the court, Courtney and Allie are known as the “VanderQuigs.” Despite having limited experience filming commercials, they were comfortable on the set and nailed our tagline “Injury law made personal” in unison!  Watch this behind the scenes video with Howard, Allie and Courtney at Wintrust Arena.

Investigating Popeyes Ankin Law is investigating a cause of action against Popeyes Fried Chicken for charging undisclosed fees in their online ordering app. If your minor child used the Popeyes app to order food I would like to speak with you - Howard Call 312.600.0000