Chicago to pay $3.25 Million to Family of Girl Killed by Car

 Posted on August 04, 2012 in Personal Injury

Back in 2006, the Hirsch family went to the Lincoln Park Zoo on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Maya was four years old on that day and was leaving the zoo with her mother and 5 year old brother. As they crossed the street at the intersection at Lincoln Park West and Belden Avenue, they were all hit by a car running a stop sign. The mother Danit and Maya's brother were both hurt to varying degrees when they landed on the car's hood. Maya bared the brunt of the accident when she was pulled underneath the car and dragged her against the ground. 57 year old David Roth was the driver of the car that severed the Hirsch family. He continued to drive his car even though bystanders were yelling for him to stop, though authorities found him easily due to his vanity license plate, "OCEAN 21". Roth said later that he was unaware of any stop signs or other traffic control devices. Roth received 8 years of prison for fleeing the scene of a car accident that caused great harm or death. In 2008, Roth died while serving his term. David and Danit Hirsch agreed with Roth's assessment that the traffic safety controls were in disrepair at that intersection. That is why they decided to sue the City of Chicago for failing to keep their citizens safe. Leslie Darling, who is a city assistant corporation counsel, stated that the stop sign at the location was at least 2 inches shorter than the 7-foot height required by city edict. She also stated that the crosswalk had not been painted for six years before the accident. This and other information led the City Council Finance Committee to approve a settlement of $3.25 million to the Hirsch family dealing with that deadly car accident. The Hirsch families' major concern at this point is to make sure a tragedy like the one they experienced doesn't happen again. In 2010, over 30 pedestrians were killed and nearly 3,000 were injured in vehicle-related accidents all around the city, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. It is increasingly important to protect yourself from danger as a pedestrian. If you or a family member are unable to do that, then contact a dedicated personal injury lawyer in Chicago today.