OUR BLOG

Our community suffered a tragic loss this past month.

Most people follow the traffic laws to keep the roads safe. However, tragically, some accidents occur when others don’t follow laws. In some cases, these cases lead to severe injuries and fatal accidents. Unfortunately, one such accident occurred in Wheeling involving a Mount Prospect family.

Milwaukee Avenue Accident

While fleeing from an earlier car accident, Adam Grunin hit the family car of the Lendino family. Around 2 PM on Saturday July 22, 2018, his Hyundai hit their Chevrolet Equinox at a speed of 107 MPH. Tragically, 16-year-old Alyssa Lendino lost her life. The accident also injured seven others.

The accident occurred on southbound Milwaukee Avenue at Hintz Road in Wheeling. Adam Grunin, 30, was charged after officials said he was involved in a “minor property damage traffic crash” around 499 S. Milwaukee Ave. After the accident, he fled the scene. Police said he then rear ended a Chevrolet Equinox at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Hintz Road Wheeling. The impact of the crash forced the Equinox into the intersection where it hit a Toyota Tundra making a left turn.

“It’s apparent the motor vehicle Mr. Grunin was driving was used as a dangerous weapon,” the judge said.

Please follow the laws after an accident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the Lendino family.p

Recently, the community has rallied around the Lendino family with fundraisers. Two fundraising lemonade stands opened in Mount Prospect over the past weekend to benefit the Lendino family.

What Do You If a Loved One Dies in a Car Accident?

First, in Illinois, a personal representative of a deceased person’s estate may file a wrongful death claim. Examples of personal representatives include:

• a spouse of the deceased
• a parent of a minor child who died, or
• an adult child of the deceased

However, if a person dies without appointing a personal representative in his or her estate plan, the court may appoint a personal representative.

Next, in Illinois, you must file a wrongful death lawsuit within the time limit set by the “statute of limitations” for the underlying type of case, or within one year of the date of the deceased person’s death, “whichever date is the later.” For personal injury cases, which must file within 2 years of the date of the accident, the personal representative has at least one year, and as much as two years, to get the initial lawsuit filed in the Illinois court system. If you do not file within the applicable time limit, the court may refuse to hear it at all.

Lastly, if you’ve got questions about how the Illinois filing deadline applies to your specific wrongful death case, speak to an experienced wrongful death attorney.

Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you or a loved one has been injured and need help with an insurance claim, Arlington Heights personal injury attorney Ronald F. Wittmeyer can help. With more than 30 years experience practicing plaintiffs’ personal injury law, we can fight aggressively on your behalf.

Serving the Northwest suburbs including Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, and surrounding areas, the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd.helps level the playing field against major insurance companies and corporations. If you’ve been injured or involved in an accident, call our office at (847) 357-0403 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation with one of our highly qualified Arlington Heights personal injury attorneys. The sooner we can learn about your case and your needs, the more effective we can be at recovering fair and adequate compensation for your losses.