Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog

Published on: January 23, 2015

The Car Insurance Company is Pressuring you to Sign a Release

When you’ve been hurt in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, you are likely to get a phone call from that driver’s insurance company soon after the accident looking to resolve the case. Of course, an injury victim will want their case resolved quickly, too. Medical bills pile up fast. Car repairs may have left you without transportation. On top of that, if you your injuries are forcing you to miss work, you are likely to want to settle your case as quickly as possible to avoid further delay and inconvenience. You may even feel pressure from an insurance adjuster offering you a check right away if you sign a release. However, settling your case two quickly can turn out to be a huge mistake jeoprdizing your ability to recover future medical costs, lost wages, as well as damages from pain and suffering.

The insurance adjusters calling you to settle your case are paid to protect the insurance company’s interests, not yours. Protect your rights by having someone on your side. With over 30 years experience fighting for injury victims in Illinois, attorney Joseph Klest and his team at The Klest Injury Law Firm are here to answer your questions, help you deal with the insurance company, and understand your options.

Please click here, or dial 866-264-7639 to speak to an experienced injury attorney today at no cost to you.

Published on: December 30, 2014

Governor Quinn signs ‘revenge porn’ law

by Joseph G. Klest

Gov. Quin signed a new bill into law on Monday that, beginning on June 1, 2015, would make posting sexually explicit videos and photos of other people online without their permission a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to 3 years in prison as well as fines as high as $25,000.00.

The law is meant to crack down on a frightening trend known as “revenge porn,” where x-lovers post images on the internet of what were intended to be kept private as a way of retribution.

Cyber-bullying can have devastating consequences for victims. Because of the highly personal and embarrassing nature of these cases, Illinois law also provides the possibility of seeking court approval to file lawsuits using a fictitious name to avoid allowing a person harmed by this type of harassment from having their name being part of a public record. Acting quickly and immediately contacting an experienced attorney is an important step in seeking to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Published on: December 22, 2014

Wrong-Way Driver Killed in Lake Shore Drive Crash

by Joseph G. Klest

A tragic accident on Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive early this morning left one driver dead and at least three others hospitalized. Shortly before 3:00 a.m. a 26 year-old male drove his car the wrong way on Lake Shore Drive colliding with oncoming traffic. He was killed as a result of the crash and police investigators had not ruled out that alcohol may have been a contributing factor. Three other people had been transported to area hospitals due to their injuries resulting from the car accident.

Under current Illinois law, victims who are injured as a result of another driver’s negligence must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident. If a case is not settled and no lawsuit has been filed before the expiration of that two-year period, the person seeking compensation will be forever barred from bringing their claim.

Additionally, a claimant in Illinois is not able to sue a person who has died directly, however, suit may be brought against a person’s estate. In such cases, it is important not to wait in pursuing a claim because of other deadlines imposed on when a creditor may bring a claim against an estate. It is important for anyone injured by a person who has died to seek advice from an experienced attorney regarding these matters.

Published on: November 14, 2014

Drunk Driver Kills Pedestrian on NW Side – Bail Set at $400K

by Joseph G. Klest

A Cook County Judge set a $400,000 bail for Maciej Machniewicz who is charged with felony aggravated DUI following a car accident. Machniewicz, who prosecutors are saying never had a valid drivers license, was charged with aggravated DUI after striking and killing a 62 year-old woman Tuesday on the Chicago’s Northwest Side who had just exited a bus.

This straightforward case, however, considering a circumstance where a driver didn’t have a license, it’s possible that he did not have valid insurance coverage either.

In a 2010 case, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld exclusionary provisions in a car insurance contract that allowed an insurance company to deny coverage where the driver was the owner of the vehicle but did not have a driver’s license or was driving with a suspended license. Essentially, this means that someone driving around without a license, even if that person is paying for car insurance, may not actually have coverage if he or she negligently causes an accident.

Published on: October 16, 2014

3 Gavin Middle School Teachers Fired in Connection with Abuse Charges

by Joseph G. Klest

The School District Board for Gavin School District 37 in Ingleside, IL are suspending without pay pending a formal dismissal hearing Michale Vucic, a Gavin teacher who has been charged with childhood sexual abuse of a student.

The Board also voted to let two other teachers go for allegedly not reporting suspicions of the abuse to authorities.

Under Illinois law, teachers are considered Mandated Reporters who are responsible for reporting suspected child abuse to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Published on: July 22, 2014

Fatal I-55 Truck Crash Results in Charges against Trucker

by Joseph G. Klest

Authorities charged the truck driver involved in the wreck on I-55 Mondaythat resulted in the loss of five lives with speeding before the crash. The deaths were the result of two separate crashes that happened on Interstate 55 near Channahon, IL, as the speeding truck quickly changed lanes in a construction area failing to stop striking three cars that were stopped in traffic, smashing them together.

Truck accidents are particularly dangerous simply because of the immense size of the vehicles involved. Semi-trucks speeding in a construction zone are likely to not have enough space to come to a safe stop when other cars slow down for traffic. All the more reason for truck drivers to be diligent about following the rules of the road. Truck drivers can often avoid accidents and loss of life simply by staying alert and following the rules. It is a truck driver’s most basic responsibility to care for the safety of other people they share the road with.

To contact attorney Joseph Klest, please, dial 312-380-5467 to be connected directly.

Published on: July 17, 2014

Highland Park Chiropractor Accused of Sexually Abusing Patients

by Joseph G. Klest

A number of people have come forward with accusations that a Highland Park chiropractor sexually abused his patients during their sessions. According to the Lake County prosecutor’s office so far three people have come forward. Prosecutors are asking anyone who believes they were victims of inappropriate and unwanted contact to contact the Highland Park Police Department or the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office.

The chiropractor, Kevin Dutton, age 38, has been charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, both are considered felonies.

To speak directly with Attorney Joseph Klest about this or related topics, please call 866-264-7639, or click here, to schedule a free consultation.

Published on: June 2, 2014

Tree Falls on Camper’s Tent in Wisconsin Killing 11 Year Old Girl

by Joseph G. Klest

A young girl, age 11, from Chicago’s Northwest suburbs was killed by a tree that fell on her tent during a storm overnight while she was camping with her family in Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin.

first responders found the young girl and her father trapped under a tree that had fallen on their tent in the park near Baraboo, Wisconsin.

The girl did not survive. Her father and another camper, a 14 year-old boy who was fortunately unharmed, were taken to a nearby hospital where they were both treated and released.

Published on: May 28, 2014

Drug-Resistant Salmonella Outbreak Likely Linked to Foster Farms Chicken

by Joseph G. Klest

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are warning consumers of a multi-state outbreak of salmonella infections likely linked to Foster Farms brand chicken that are resistant to multiple drugs. As of May 22, 2014 there have been 574 total cases reported in 27 states.

Many have been hospitalized after falling ill from the food-borne bacteria that began occurring last year. In some cases, victims have developed possible life threatening blood infections.

New infections seem to be linked to recently sold chicken as opposed to chicken stored in home freezers for extended periods.

Published on: May 22, 2014

Collision Involving 3 Semis Halts Traffic on I-90

by Joseph G. Klest

A head-on collision involving three semi-trailers on I-90 approaching Illinois Route 47 caused lengthy traffic delays on Thursday morning.

According to the Illinois State Police, a truck heading eastbound had somehow crossed the median in to on-coming traffic, crashing into another trailer heading in the opposite direction.

The full extent of the injuries has not been reported yet, however emergency medical personnel did arrive at the scene, and at least one person was transported to a hospital as a result of the crash.