Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Chicago

Crossing the street is a routine part of our lives, and yet this action exposes us to the danger of being hurt by an inattentive or careless driver. Pedestrians struck by a motorist can suffer serious injuries and fatalities, often while walking within designated crosswalks. Negligent drivers who fail to properly yield to pedestrians can be held legally accountable for harm caused by their conduct.

For decades, the car accident attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca have negotiated and litigated on behalf of severely injured pedestrians throughout the state. Our firm, which holds an AV peer-review rating* through Martindale-Hubbell, appreciates the emotional and physical devastation that follows an accident, and works to pursue maximum financial compensation for our clients throughout Illinois. Call us at 312-724-5846 or through our online form to receive a free consultation.

Did You Suffer a Catastrophic Pedestrian Accident Injury?

Pedestrians have no protection in a collision with a motor vehicle, which makes the nature of pedestrian accident injuries very serious. People may suffer severe injuries such as:

• Multiple fractures or crushed bones
• Head and facial injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Nerve damage
• Paralysis, paraplegia, or quadriplegia
• Severe road rash and degloving
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Amputation
• Permanent scarring
• Disfigurement

The worst injuries may result in wrongful death. Our compassionate, dedicated lawyers will treat you and your family with care as we work to recover compensation for you after a serious injury or wrongful death.

The Many Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Why are pedestrian accidents so common? Driver negligence is a large factor, but there are also other reasons such as:

• Reckless and distracted driving
• Drunk and drugged driving
• Driving too fast for weather and/or road conditions
• Failing to see or yield to pedestrians
• Running a red light or a stop sign
• Failing to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk
• Driving too fast in school zones
• Lacking adequate sidewalks
• Encountering hazardous work zone conditions
• Failing to correct known dangerous intersections or crossings where many accidents occur

You may have suffered injuries in a different type of pedestrian accident. Please let us know how we can help you. With our extensive experience in all motor vehicle accident cases, we have the knowledge to pursue compensation from the negligent party in your specific case.

Pursuing Damages Against a Driver Responsible for Harming a Pedestrian

According to Illinois law, drivers are required to exercise due care while operating a vehicle in order to avoid colliding with pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists. Additionally, pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks. By enacting vehicle codes addressing the importance of protecting pedestrians, the state legislature has recognized the potential dangers posed by vehicles. Additionally, even when a pedestrian is walking in a nondesignated crosswalk, motorists are required to use reasonable care and avoid causing them harm.

Negligence is the basis for many injury claims asserted by a victim plaintiff following a car accident. As the plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit, the victim would be required to show the defendant driver failed to operate their vehicle as a reasonable person would, under similar circumstances. The elements that must be proven include:

1. Duty
2. Breach of duty
3. Causation
4. Damages

Breaking safety laws and driving carelessly are likely to be deemed negligent by a judge or jury.

A motorist who has violated the Illinois vehicle code and injured a pedestrian has most likely acted negligently and, therefore, is liable for resulting harm. In this situation, a victim may have alleged negligence per se, a slightly different legal claim than negligence. Asserting negligence per se requires the victim to show that the driver violated a regulation, directly causing them injury of the type the statute was intended to prevent. A skilled Chicago auto accident lawyer can assert all the proper claims depending on the specific facts of the situation.

Injured pedestrians who demonstrate the legal fault of a driver for causing an accident may recover damages designed to put them in the place they would be had the accident not occurred. This compensation addresses not only the physical consequences of an accident, but it also includes the emotional pain and suffering associated with the crash. A decreased quality of life is a component of a damages claim; victims may set forth proof that they can no longer participate in those activities they enjoyed before the accident.

Victims of car accidents can recover damages for both past and future medical care related to the crash. To recover damages for future medical care, it may be necessary to present medical testimony stating the need for such care and expected costs. Necessary home modifications and ongoing physical therapy are also expenses that can be recovered through a personal injury claim.

There are some situations in which a pedestrian may be partially to blame for their injuries. For example, an intoxicated individual who misjudges the speed of an oncoming car and attempts to cross a street may suffer serious injuries. The defendant driver in this scenario could raise a comparative negligence defense. According to Illinois law, the victim’s recovery would be reduced by his or her percentage of fault. Because Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence doctrine, the plaintiff victim will not recover damages if she was more than 50% at fault for the accident.

Help with Your Pedestrian Accident Claim

Pedestrian accident victims and their families can face overwhelming medical costs and financial distress related to their injuries. If you or a loved one has been hurt as a result of a careless or negligent driver, the pedestrian accident lawyers at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca will provide legal representation and guidance as you pursue your right to recover from the at-fault party. We serve clients in communities across the state, including those in Rockford, Springfield, Champaign, Quincy, Aurora, and other areas of Winnebago, Adams, Sangamon, Cook, and Kane counties. Our office can be reached by phone at 312-724-5846 or through our online form. The first consultation is complimentary, so take the time to explore your options by contacting our office today.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished, and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.