Chicago Man Dies in Traffic Accident, Passenger Injured

 Posted on February 17, 2013 in Personal Injury

A young man was killed and his passenger was injured in a crash that caused his vehicle to split in half, the chtribune reported recently. Keith, L. Smith, 20, crashed head-on into a light pole on January 27 on the Far South Side, according to police reports. He was driving at a high rate of speed in an attempt to overtake another vehicle but was unable to control his car. He hit a curb and crashed into the light pole, which caused his car, a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant, to split in half. Smith suffered severe head injuries in the crash and had to be sent to a hospital in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead. His passenger, also 20, was likewise taken to the hospital after complaining of pain in the legs. However, his injuries were not serious and he was released after being treated. It was not mentioned on the police report whether the driver was wearing a seat belt or whether he was drunk or not. Car accidents cause thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities every year in Illinois. Driving safely reduces the risk of a car accident, but sometimes they are unavoidable. When you are involved in an accident that is not your fault, you may be able to claim compensation for the injuries you have sustained. It is prudent to discuss your options with an experienced lawyer in order to ensure you receive the compensation you need and deserve. Contact a dedicated Illinois car accident attorney at your earliest convenience.