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When entering downtown Des Plaines on Northwest Highway, it’s hard to miss the marquee that is reminiscent of the Chicago Theater. Although currently closed, the Des Plaines Theater opened in August 1925 and remained a thriving theater for almost 80 years. Every so often, the theater re-enters the news with hopes of re-opening, but surrounding this central location is a booming suburb. With a population nearing 60,000, Des Plaines is directly to the east of Mount Prospect and to the north of O’Hare International Airport. In 1857, the Chicago, St. Paul and Fond du Lac Railroad began running its route, stopping near the mill where a small business section had grown up. In 1859, the Chicago and North Western Railway purchased the rail line, stopping its train and subsequently named its station “Des Plaines”. In 1869, the subdivision name was changed to Des Plaines, and the village of Des Plaines was incorporated. Des Plaines also has two Metra stations: Cumberland and Des Plaines. This Northwest Line takes commuters from Harvard and Crystal Lake through Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect into Chicago each day. Unfortunately, with so many commuters traveling, there can be accidents for pedestrians, motorists, or train-riders that cause injuries. If you need a personal injury lawyer in Des Plaines, contact the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. for a free consultation.

How to Stay Safe in Downtown Des Plaines

With a train line and many busy roads, it is important for pedestrians heading to the public library, a bank, or one of the many restaurants on Miner Street to keep their eyes open. Unfortunately, sometimes drivers do not look both way, so it is up to you to stay safe. These types of accidents may lead to the need to consult a personal injury attorney in Des Plaines. But each day, Des Plaines residents have accidents. Unfortunately, in July 2015, a woman was fatally struck by a driver who was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian and then about two hours after the woman was fatally hit, two 13-year-old girls on bicycles were struck by a vehicle traveling east at nearly the same location as the previous crash on Miner Street.

Additionally, two pedestrians suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by a car near the downtown Des Plaines train station. — at the same spot of similar pedestrian accidents last year. The city did get permission to install four “Vehicle Stop Here” signs, which join 10 other signs at the crosswalk telling drivers to be aware of pedestrians.

Pedestrian Accidents In Des Plaines

Two Des Plaines-area women died in 2016 after being struck and killed by vehicles in two separate accidents. Both of these elderly women walked on Des Plaines streets. On woman was struck by a vehicle at 9870 N. Milwaukee Ave. in unincorporated Des Plaines. The other, in a separate accident was struck and killed by a car as she crossed Touhy Avenue near Maple Street. Unfortunately, both of these women lost there lives, but as the pedestrians hit by cars in downtown Des Plaines, many of these injuries are non-life-threatening. If you or anyone you know have been injured while walking, running, or shopping in Des Plaines by a car, contact the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. today at 847-577-1123 for a free consultation

Why Can’t I Buy a Hamburger at that McDonald’s?

Directly up Lee St. from the Des Plaines Theater is the McDonald’s Museum. Although local residents like to believe this is the first McDonald’s, it is actually the ninth. But this location began the franchise as we know it today with Ray Kroc at the helm. The Des Plaines restaurant opened under his franchising company McDonald’s Systems, Inc., which became McDonald’s Corporation after Kroc purchased the McDonald brothers’ stake in the firm. The McDonald’s Museum is near Rand Rd. and the railroad tracks that led to the founding of the village. Directly across the street is a working McDonald’s for anyone who wants a Big Mac or large fries.

What to Do for Fun in Des Plaines

At the northwest corner of Devon Avenue and Des Plaines River Road, in 2010, Rivers Casino opened after many years in development. Near Rosemont and the CTA Blue Line station, the casino has lots, table games, restaurants & entertainment options that include live music & DJs. The casino is also near Higgins Rd and the Kennedy Expressway.

Des Plaines, like many of its neighboring suburbs such as Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, and Buffalo Grove, has a thriving park district. Des Plaines has various pools, including Mystic Waters waterpark on Rand Rd. Mystic Waters has water slides, a lazy river, and many other water activities for the entire family to enjoy. The park features two exciting 37 foot slides (Otter’s Run and Sea Lion Falls), which are some of the highest in the region. Additionally, Des Plaines has the Prairie Lakes Community Center and Mountain View Adventure Center. The community center has a theater and gym facility inside. The adventure center has batting cages and miniature golf for fun family fun activities in the summer. There is also a skate park. Of course, it is important to remember to be safe at all of the summer activities available in Des Plaines!

As people travel to many of these locations in Des Plaines, car accidents can occur that require the need for a personal injury lawyer to help you assess your situation. If you need to contact a Des Plaines personal injury lawyer, contact the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. today.

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