Chicago Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Whenever a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle there is the potential for a catastrophic injury or fatality. If a pedestrian accident has been caused by a negligent driver or a dangerous roadway in Chicago, injured victims can seek compensation from the at-fault party for their losses.
Illinois Pedestrian Laws
Motorists in Illinois are required to yield right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Illinois vehicle code section 11-1002 (a) states, "When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger."
Drivers are not always at fault for pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians have the duty and responsibility to exercise due caution as well. Section 11-1002 (b) states, "No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a moving vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard."
Illinois Pedestrian Accident Statistics
The Illinois Division of Traffic Safety's 2009 Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics reports:
- 111 pedestrians were killed In 2009 Illinois pedestrian accidents.
- 5,231 pedestrians were injured.
- 21 percent of all pedestrian fatalities were adults over the age of 64 and 5 percent of all fatally injured pedestrians were under the age of 15.
- 43 percent of the fatally injured pedestrians who were tested had positive blood alcohol content levels.
- There were 5,313 total pedestrian accidents in Illinois in 2009.
The Rights of Injured Pedestrians
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Chicago there are certain steps you should take to protect your rights.
- Exchange information with the at-fault driver. At no point during this conversation should admit fault for the accident.
- Contact the authorities. You will want your side of the story incorporated into the police report.
- Get medical attention immediately. A lot of injuries that are usually sustained in a pedestrian accident do not manifest until days or even weeks after the accident.
- Contact a personal injury attorney. Before discussing the accident with an insurance company, it may be in your best interest to discuss your case with an accident lawyer, who will look out for your best interests.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Chicago pedestrian accident caused by driver negligence or hazardous roadways, please contact the experienced Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers at The Bradley Law Firm for a free and comprehensive consultation. If a dangerous or defectively designed roadway caused your accident, then, the city or public entity responsible for maintaining the roadway can be held liable. Please remember that any personal injury or wrongful death claim against an Illinois governmental agency must be filed within one year of the incident.