Personal Injury Law Blog

Chicago city data shows that 5,159,847 violations were recorded in Child Safety Zones from July 1, 2014, through the most recent available date. Many Chicagoans are eagerly awaiting spring, but it brings an influx of walkers, bikers, and escooters to school routes and parks. This also highlights the need for vigilance around school zones, as even a small increase can affect drivers’ reaction time.

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries near a school zone or park, it is important that you contact a top-rated Chicago school zone car accident attorney. An attorney can help you gather the evidence you need, develop a strong case, and get the compensation you deserve.

Chicago School Zone Speed Cameras and Child Safety Zones

In Chicago, there are approximately 162 automated speed enforcement cameras near schools and parks. There are specific rules regarding where these cameras can be placed and when they can be used. 

Citations and fines are tiered, and as a result, tickets are issued for speeds 6 mph or more over the posted speed limit:

• With a $35 ticket for 6 to 10 mph over, and
• A $100 ticket for 11 mph or more.

Generally, the cameras are running near schools from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and around parks from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., the general speed limit vehicles must adhere to is 20 mph in school zones when children are present. 

What Chicago Speed Camera Data Shows Near Schools and Parks

Reports show that through February 2024, there were nearly 2.3 speed camera violations in Chicago, which is a 210 percent increase from the same period ending in February 2021. This data makes it clear that speeding near Child Safety Zones is not a rare incident. 

Data also shows that a pedestrian’s likelihood of surviving a crash at 25 mph is five times better than a 35 mph crash. 

What Parents and Guardians Should Do After a Chicago High School Zone Crash

Pedestrian injuries, especially those involving young children, can be harrowing and complicated events. It is crucial that families focus on immediate safety before moving on to evidence preservation. 

Although it can be hard to quantify the toll a child’s injury can have on their family, it is important that parents and caregivers take steps to preserve their right to compensation after an injury. Compensation allows families to provide effective care to their injured children. Some of the steps below can help you preserve relevant evidence:

• Seek medical care and keep discharge paperwork and instructions in an accessible place.
• Note the exact location, time, and direction of travel for any vehicles involved in the accident.
• Request official police crash reports as soon as it is available.
• Photograph the area, including crosswalks, school-zone signs, and any obstructions.
• Collect witness names and contact information.
• Identify cameras, including speed, school, bus, and business cameras. 

These steps do not replace an attorney’s representation, but they lay the foundation for a strong, viable claim. 

What Should I Do After a High School Zone Car Crash?

After the immediate medical phase, families often run into the same challenges. Insurance adjusters request recorded statements, medical billing begins before treatment is complete, and the details of how the crash happened can be reduced to a few lines in an early report. 

At the same time, the most valuable evidence in a school-zone case is frequently time-sensitive, including nearby video, witness recollections, and scene conditions tied to pickup and dismissal traffic. A careful approach usually focuses on two tracks at once: 

• The first is the medical record, including follow-up care and a clear picture of recovery needs. 
• The second is proof, including, where available, speed-related evidence, camera locations, and the timeline of the driver’s activities before impact.

This is also where legal help can take stress off the family by handling communications and preserving evidence while the child heals.

Contact Briskman Briskman and Greenberg High School Zone Car Accident Lawyers

A high school-zone crash can leave a family dealing with medical decisions, missed work, and real uncertainty about what comes next. Early legal help can also help secure video, document the scene, and handle insurance communications in a way that protects the claim while the child recovers. For guidance after a child is injured near a Chicago school zone or Child Safety Zone, contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg personal injury and car accident lawyers at (877) 595-4878.