Chicago Ridge Man Dies After Crashing Into Tree

 Posted on August 14, 2012 in Personal Injury

Walid Abuasba, 49, of Chicago Ridge, died in late July after "being critically injured when the vehicle he was driving hit a tree, trapping him inside the car," according to the chtribune. The crash occurred at nighttime on West Columbus Avenue, near the intersection of 74th St. and Western, according to the Tribune. There was no one else in the car, and according to the Chicago Fire Department spokesman that's a good thing: Larry Langford told the Tribune that "the car was sliced in half by the impact of the crash." In 2010 according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, drivers of vehicles accounted for by far the most fatalities in total traffic crash fatalities. This could be in part because the driver of the car is most vulnerable, but it's also probably because many fatal accidents, like the one that claimed the life of Abuasba, are experienced alone. In 2010, 16,824 drivers died in fatal accidents. While there are no numbers available for how many drivers die by crashing into a tree, or other inanimate roadside objects, it's a common reason for an accident. Most of these occur at night, or because the driver has been drinking. There is no evidence to suspect that Abuasba was driving under the influence when he had his accident. Our car accident lawyers in Chicago are here to help you if you've been injured in any type of car accident. The number of traffic fatalities in Illinois rose from 911 to 927 from 2009 to 2010, a 2 percent increase. Cook County, however, experienced a whopping 11 percent decline in number of traffic fatalities over the same time period, from 264 to 236. DuPage County had an increase of 65 percent, from 23 to 38. If you have been injured in a car crash, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer today.