Chicago, IL (May 15, 2026) – A crash between an SUV and a marked Chicago police squad car sent four people to the hospital, including a 9-month-old baby girl, on Tuesday, May 12. The accident happened at approximately 11:17 a.m. in the West Chatham neighborhood.
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A 26-year-old woman was driving an SUV eastbound on West 87th Street with the infant inside when her vehicle and a police squad car traveling northbound on South State Street collided. The impact injured both the woman and the baby, as well as two officers inside the squad car.
Emergency units transported all four people to the hospital for treatment. Authorities have not released updates on the condition of any of those hurt. The identities of the woman, the baby, and the officers have not been made public.
The collision remains under investigation.
Our hearts go out to those injured as they recover from this crash.
What Is the Illinois Statute of Limitations to File a Car Accident Claim?
In Illinois, injury victims generally have two years from the date of a car accident to file a personal injury claim. That clock starts running on the day of the accident. Missing that deadline typically means losing the right to seek compensation entirely, regardless of how strong the case may be.
When a government vehicle is involved the rules change. Illinois law requires injury victims to file a formal notice of claim with the relevant government agency within one year of the accident. This shorter timeline applies specifically to claims against government entities and their employees acting in an official capacity. Failing to meet this earlier deadline can block a victim from pursuing any legal action against the city, even if the two-year general statute has not yet expired.
Crashes involving police vehicles also raise complex questions about liability. Illinois law does allow claims against government employees and agencies under certain conditions, but specific legal standards apply. A Chicago car accident attorney can review the details of the crash to help determine what options may be available.
For a 9-month-old baby injured in a crash, Illinois courts may apply special rules that pause or extend certain deadlines until the child reaches adulthood. A parent or guardian should speak with an attorney early to understand how these rules apply to their specific situation and make sure no critical deadlines are missed.
At Ankin Law, we have extensive experience reviewing injury cases involving vehicle crashes in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
If you or someone in your family was hurt in a vehicle accident, you can contact Ankin Law at (844) 600-0000 to learn what options may be available in your case.
Note: We use outside sources such as news reports, police reports, social media platforms, and first-hand or eyewitness accounts about accidents that happen throughout the state of Illinois. We have not verified any of the facts surrounding this particular accident. Please contact Ankin Law, LLC, if you locate any incorrect information in our post. We will correct it immediately or remove a post if requested.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended as a solicitation for business. It’s vital to understand that these posts do not offer legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Legal outcomes can differ based on individual circumstances. For personalized legal guidance, please reach out directly to Ankin Law, LLC. The featured image used in this post was not taken at the accident scene.
