Recent Chicago Pedestrian Deaths Raise Concerns About Summer Risks

The Governors’ Highway Safety Association (GHSA) estimates that in 2023, pedestrian deaths in Illinois increased by 4.1 percent over 2022. 2022 marked a record year for pedestrian deaths nationwide, with more fatalities than any year since 1981. 

In 2024, the trend continues with pedestrian deaths reported throughout the state. Summer raises risks for pedestrians as more people take to the roads, both on foot and in vehicles. Here’s what to expect. 

Recent Pedestrian Deaths Highlight Risks

Several recent accidents point to the risks pedestrians face in Chicago and on other roads in Illinois.

• Deaths and injuries are getting worse in pedestrian accidents. A January accident in Decatur sent a 36-year-old woman to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after she was struck by a Dodge Ram. Larger, heavier vehicles are contributing to the increase in serious injuries and deaths in pedestrian accidents, as these vehicles increase the risk a pedestrian will suffer injury to a vital organ. 
• Hit-and-run accidents make it harder for pedestrians to get the compensation they need. January 9, 2024 marked Chicago’s first pedestrian death as a 40-year-old man was killed by a hit-and-run driver at the intersection of Diversey Parkway and Ashland Avenue. Hit-and-run accidents involve a driver who flees the scene after causing a crash. Without knowing the driver’s identity, an injured person or the family of a deceased pedestrian cannot file a claim against that driver or seek coverage from the driver’s insurance. The family also never receives the closure of seeing such a driver held criminally accountable. 
• Pedestrian accidents are on the rise. Recent data indicates that Champaign and Urbana have reported over 250 pedestrian accidents in the past six years. Accident rates have steadily increased in Urbana since 2020.
• Nationwide, pedestrian deaths dropped in 2023 – but Illinois’ death rate increased. GHSA statistics reveal that while the national total of pedestrian deaths in 2023 decreased by 5 percent from 2022, Illinois’ death rate increased by 4.1 percent. Neighboring Michigan also saw a similar increase in pedestrian deaths.

In 2022, 2,224 pedestrian accidents in Chicago claimed 54 lives and caused 2,239 injuries. The Illinois Department of Transportation has not yet released data for 2023. 

What to Do If You’re Injured in a Pedestrian Accident

If you are injured in a pedestrian accident, you can take steps to protect your legal rights. You can also take many of these steps to protect others if you witness a pedestrian accident.

Think safety first. Don’t move a critically injured person at the scene of an accident. Do take steps to alert others the accident has occurred. Move any vehicles, use vehicle lights to warn oncoming traffic, and take other steps to minimize the risk of further harm. 

Call 911. Contact emergency services immediately once a crash has occurred. Emergency first responders can treat anyone who is injured and take steps to protect the safety of everyone at the scene. 

Gather information. If you can, gather information at the scene. Take photos, draw a diagram, or write notes about what you saw, heard, or felt in the moments leading up to and during the crash. Gather contact information from witnesses and law enforcement officers. If you’re unable to get this information at the scene, you may be able to collect it later by contacting the local police department or working with an attorney who can gather this evidence. 

Get medical attention as soon as possible. In a severe accident, you may be transported to a hospital by emergency medical personnel. If you don’t go to a hospital immediately after an accident, make a doctor’s appointment as soon as you can after an accident. Visit the nearest emergency room if you experience distressing or life-threatening symptoms after an accident. The sooner you get medical care, the sooner you know the full extent of your injuries and can start a treatment plan. 

File an insurance claim. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may file a claim with the driver’s insurance, your insurance, or both. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to an experienced Chicago pedestrian accident attorney for assistance.

Speak to an experienced attorney. If you cannot take all these steps at the time of the accident, you can work with an experienced Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer to complete them after you receive medical care. A lawyer can also help you understand your legal rights and take steps to protect them after a pedestrian crash.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, reach out to an attorney right away. A dedicated Chicago wrongful death lawyer can help you secure the compensation your family needs after a sudden loss.