CHICAGO — Cavanagh Sorich Law Group has filed a lawsuit claiming negligence against a teen driver and his father from suburban La Grange who was charged with aggravated reckless driving in July after his BMW caused a crash that left four others injured.
The suit was filed by Cavanagh Sorich Law Group attorney Michael Sorich on behalf of Zaid Shakir, a passenger in a Toyota Corolla, who, along with his young daughter and the driver, were injured on July 14 when 19-year-old Alex Janicki crashed a 2008 BMW convertible into Shakir’s car at a high rate of speed while driving in Western Springs. Richard Janicki, Alex’s father and the owner of the vehicle, is also named in the suit.
As a result, the Corolla spun out of control on the roadway and collided with two other vehicles, and firefighters were needed to extricate one of its occupants.
Police later discovered that Janicki was driving in excess of 70 mph and that his speeding was a significant contributor to the crash. Janicki was charged with aggravated reckless driving by Western Springs Police on Sept. 12.
Cavanagh Sorich Law Group contends that the Janickis failed to “exercise all due care and caution in the ownership, operation, control, and maintenance of his vehicle, and to have due regard for the rights and safety of all persons in, near, or upon said roadways,” despite his duty to do so.
“It’s frustrating when careless driving and lack of responsible vehicle ownership leads to completely preventable crashes, which in this case seriously injured a little girl and three others,” Sorich said. “It’s amazing no one was killed given the extreme speed at which our clients were struck.”
Among the negligence claims include:
- Carelessly and negligently operating said vehicle without keeping it under proper and sufficient control;
- Proceeding at a speed which was greater than reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway, or which endangered the safety of persons or property in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-601(a);
- Failing to keep a proper or sufficient look-out;
- Carelessly and negligently and improperly failing to apply the brakes of his vehicle to avoid colliding with another vehicle; and
- Was otherwise careless, negligent, and reckless in the operation, maintenance, ownership, and control of said vehicle.
At a Cook County Circuit Courthouse in Bridgeview the day after his arrest, Janicki’s bond was set at $10,000.
“We’re confident that Zahir and his daughter will receive justice in this case,” Sorich said. “Though, the physical and emotional reminders of the crash will undoubtedly linger.”
The Hon. Judge Walker of the Cook County Circuit Court will preside in the case of Zahir v. Janicki, Case No.: 2018 L 009989.