One act of negligence, even something as momentary as distracted driving, can set in course a chain of events that is often impossible to predict. Chicago, with its busy roadways and numerous interstate highways, is home to a high volume of car accidents every year. With the complication of the busy streets of such a large city, distracted driving or unfamiliarity with the streets can lead to unpredictable outcomes. In some cases, this distraction can lead to a car accident.

That seems to be the case in a recent crash between two women. A car accident in early December in downtown Chicago happened shortly before 9 a.m. on a Saturday. A woman who claimed she did not know where she was going caused an accident when she changed lanes on South Grand. The 49-year-old woman says she did not see the vehicle driven by a 40-year-old woman from Rochester, and it appears her disorientation was at the root of her distracted driving. Her vehicle collided with the front driver's side of the other car. Police cited the 49-year-old for an improper lane change. Her car had to be towed from the scene.

An accident in which a car is towed or totaled at the scene often leaves victims with injuries. Sometimes those injuries are not initially apparent, but their presence is felt hours or even days later. These seemingly minor aches and pains can sometimes persist and even become disabling when performing day-today activities. When these injuries are caused by a negligent driver, the victim may be able to obtain personal injury damages in order to cover short-term and long-term medical bills as well as possible lost wages.

Source: The State Journal-register, "Chicago woman cited in two-vehicle accident," Dec. 11, 2011