Negligent drivers are everywhere. Chicago residents may see them during their commutes to work or while taking their kids to school. These drivers fail to use their signals, speed at dangerous rates and follow too closely to the cars in front of them. There is very little that other drivers can do to improve the driving of others and sometimes the best policy is to simply stay out of their way.
On crowded city streets, however, staying out of a bad driver’s way can be easier said than done. With nowhere to go, pedestrians and other drivers can find themselves at the mercy of negligent drivers and worried that they will be involved in auto accidents. A recent accident on Sheridan Road shows how quickly the actions of one bad driver can become a very dangerous situation for everyone in his vicinity.
A 58-year-old man was driving aggressively on the busy street when he passed vehicles stopped at a red light and then attempted to pass a CTA bus on its right side. Instead of getting around the bus, the negligent driver slammed into to pedestrians who were putting items in their car. The impact of the collision caused the victims’ car to push forward and three additional vehicles were damaged in the wreck.
The accident killed a 71-year-old man and injured four others. All of the other victims were treated at local hospitals while the driver suffered serious injuries. Police have brought charges against him that may result in criminal punishments for his actions if he is convicted.
Practicing good driving skills keeps everyone on the road safe. Unfortunately, not all drivers are interested in the well-being of others. When preventable accidents like this tragedy occur, the legal system can help those injured in the incident to rebuild their lives through the pursuit of compensation for their damages.
Source: The Chicago Tribune, “Charges pending against driver in fatal Edgewater Beach crash,” Carlos Sadovi and Peter Nickeas, July 31, 2014
