Blog de Derecho de lesiones personales

A pedestrian on Chicago’s northwest side suffered critical injuries in April 2025 when an SUV driver collided with the pedestrian and then failed to stop at the scene. The Chicago Police Department is asking anyone with information to help them identify the driver.

What Happened on the Northwest Side

Early in the morning on April 3, a dark gray SUV with yellow temporary plates struck a pedestrian. The pedestrian was crossing the street at the intersection of Diversey and Central Park Avenues. Police say the pedestrian was walking along the border between Logan Square and Avondale when they were struck.

The pedestrian was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment of critical injuries. The driver who struck the pedestrian did not stop at the scene. Police were able to obtain an image of the vehicle from a nearby security camera, but the camera did not capture the vehicle’s license plate number. 

Pedestrian Accident Risks in Chicago

Pedestrians continue to face the risk of death or serious injury on Chicago roads. Several factors combine to make the streets more dangerous for pedestrians than for drivers of vehicles. While the city and state are pursuing efforts to reduce these risks, pedestrians still face the threat of death or serious injury from drivers who aren’t paying adequate attention to sharing the road.

Pedestrian Deaths and Injuries

According to data from the City of Chicago, over 450 pedestrians suffered “incapacitating injuries” on city streets in 2024. At least 34 pedestrians were killed, although data appears to be incomplete for 2024 at this time. Over 1,800 moderate or minor injuries were also reported. 

US pedestrian deaths have increased nationwide, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Since 2014, the US population has increased 7 percent – but pedestrian deaths have increased 48 percent. Illinois is one of several states that saw pedestrian deaths and serious injuries increase in 2024 compared to 2023.

What Makes Chicago Streets Dangerous?

Pedestrians have the same right to use public streets as vehicles. Pedestrians may use public streets as long as they obey traffic laws that apply to them. 

Even when pedestrians obey traffic laws, however, they face several risks on city streets. These risks include

• Driver inattention, intoxication, or distraction. Intoxicated y distracted drivers can easily cause a pedestrian crash by failing to spot a pedestrian in their path. Drivers have a duty to use reasonable care to avoid crashes – including a duty to watch out for pedestrians.
• Busy intersections. Lots of traffic, multiple lanes, obscured vision from buildings, and confusing signs and signals can all make an intersection tough to navigate. Drivers who aren’t moving slowly and watching out for pedestrians can cause a crash. 
• Speeding. Driving too fast for conditions is a common cause of pedestrian accidents. Speeding is especially likely to cause harm when drivers fail to stop for a sign, signal, or crosswalk. 
• Larger vehicles. Taller vehicles have become more popular in recent years. When these vehicles strike a pedestrian, however, they are more likely to hit the person’s vital organs – causing more damage and a higher likelihood of death. 

These challenges make pedestrian accidents dangerous and potentially deadly. When a driver fails to stop at the scene, the injured pedestrian also faces the challenge of securing needed compensation. 

Don’t Handle The Consequences Of Your Chicago Hit-and-Run Accident Alone

Illinois drivers are required by law to stop at the scene of an accident when they are involved in the collision. A driver who doesn’t stop may face penalties. Failing to stop at the scene is commonly called a “hit and run” accident. 

For an injured pedestrian, the consequences of a driver’s decision to hit and run can be serious. Illinois law allows injured pedestrians to file a lawsuit in civil court to seek compensation when a driver’s negligence injures them. To file a lawsuit, the pedestrian has to know who the driver is. Finding out after a hit and run can be challenging – especially if you’re already dealing with catastrophic injuries. 

Pedestrians injured in a hit-and-run crash may have other options. If they have their own auto insurance, for instance, their uninsured/underinsured (UI/UIA) coverage may protect them after a hit-and-run accident. 

If you’ve been injured on a Chicago road or sidewalk, hable con un abogado experto en lesiones personales Chicago enseguida. Pedestrian crashes, accidentes por resbalones y caídas, mordeduras de perroy other injuries can result. An experienced attorney like the equipo de Briskman Briskman & Greenberg puede ayudar.