Chicago Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Chicago’s green spaces and relatively flat streets make it one of the country’s most walkable cities. While traveling on foot should be risk-free as long as basic rules are obeyed, too often, pedestrians are vulnerable to accidents that can cause serious, sometimes even fatal, injuries. In many cases, distracted driving or other driver negligence are to blame for pedestrian accidents.
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If You Have Been in a Pedestrian Accident in Illinois, You Are Not Alone
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Being a pedestrian has become less safe
Pedestrian fatalities have followed an upward trajectory in the U.S. over the past 20 years. Since 2010, pedestrian deaths have risen 77 percent nationwide, while other traffic deaths have increased only 22 percent, according to the Governors’ Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
Why are pedestrian deaths increasing? Experts attribute the spike to several causes. First, an increase in distractions like smartphone use diverts drivers’ attention from the road. Cars and SUVs are also getting larger and heavier. Since 2013, there has been a 50 percent increase in the number of SUVs that have played a role in pedestrian deaths. Pedestrians hit by larger, heavier vehicles are generally more likely to suffer severe and possibly fatal injuries than those struck by smaller cars.
While pedestrian accidents are relatively rare, they are more likely to cause serious injury or death than accidents with multiple vehicles involved. Pedestrian accidents accounted for around one percent of all Illinois crashes but were responsible for three percent of all injuries and 3.5 percent of traffic fatalities. Accidents involving pedestrians made up 1.3 percent of total crashes but 18 percent of fatal crashes.
Pedestrian accident-related fatalities continue to climb in Illinois
In 2023, 7,318 pedestrians were killed in accidents involving motor vehicles in the United States. This total is down 5.4 percent from 2022’s total of 7,737 deaths, but it is up 14.1 percent from 2019’s total of 6,412 deaths. 2022’s high marked the largest number of US pedestrian deaths since 1981.
Not only is the number of pedestrian fatalities increasing, but the percentage of pedestrian fatalities as a total of all traffic deaths is also on the rise. In 2010, pedestrian fatalities accounted for 13 percent of all traffic deaths, and by 2021, the number was up to 18 percent.
Traffic fatalities overall have been rising since 2010. According to the GHSA, deaths resulting from motor vehicle crashes are up 22 percent, while pedestrian deaths during the same period have risen 77 percent.
In Illinois, in 2023, 205 pedestrians died in roadway crashes, an increase of eight deaths over 2022. Thousands more suffered debilitating injuries. While people associate pedestrians with city streets, the injury distribution in Illinois is more closely split between rural and urban areas than might be expected. Sixty percent of pedestrian injuries happened in urban areas, which means a significant 40 percent happened on rural roads.
Pedestrain accident statistics
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Driver Negligence Is A Common Cause of Pedestrian Accidents
Sometimes, however, drivers pay attention only to other vehicles on the road while ignoring the need to check for pedestrians at all times. Illinois drivers must yield to pedestrians when turning at intersections. Pedestrians also have the right of way in many other situations, such as when they are in a marked crosswalk, following a walk signal, or leaving or entering the road from a driveway.
Here are some common actions by drivers that can cause pedestrian accidents:
- Failing to obey traffic signs or lights
- Not yielding to pedestrians
- Backing out of parking spots without looking
- Improper lane usage
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving such as using a cellphone, adjusting the radio, eating or drinking.
Hazards for Pedestrians
Other factors that can cause pedestrian accidents besides driver negligence. Cracked, uneven sidewalks or roads may discourage pedestrians from using them, for example. In such cases, a third party, like a local government agency, can be held liable. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries through an insurance settlement or a lawsuit.
With the introduction of dockless electric scooters to Chicago streets, pedestrians have another potential safety hazard to contend with. Unfortunately, scooters have already resulted in accidents in Chicago and across other U.S. cities.
While many cases have involved scooter riders suffering injuries, there have also been reports of pedestrians getting hurt. Scooters that are left lying around on sidewalks or blocking business entryways pose a tripping hazard. They can put pedestrians at risk of slip and fall accidents. Riders who lose control of their scooters can also collide with pedestrians, causing serious injuries.
Illinois is still grappling with how to regulate electric scooters. While the state continues to mull various safety measures and laws, pedestrians need to remain extra cautious. Under Illinois law, victims of pedestrian accidents have limited time in which to file a personal injury claim. This timeframe is known as the statute of limitations. Generally, you must file a claim within two years of being injured in an accident. Failure to meet this deadline could mean that you lose your right to pursue compensation. As a result, it is important to seek legal representation as soon as possible.
We use our years of experience to pursue the maximum compensation possible for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. You can focus on recovering from your injuries while we handle the entire legal process.
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Safety tips for pedestrians
While it is impossible to control or predict driver behavior, there are some simple tips that pedestrians can follow to minimize their risk of being injured in a pedestrian accident.
Carry a flashlight at night or during low visibility.
Cross streets at designated crosswalks and avoid jay-walking.
Wear bright or reflective clothing when walking in the dark.
Walk on a sidewalk whenever possible.
If there is no sidewalk, walk so that you face oncoming traffic.
Common Types of Injuries in Chicago Pedestrian Accidents
While car drivers and passengers have seatbelts, airbags, and the simple advantage of being in a vehicle to potentially lessen the severity of injuries sustained during a crash, pedestrians are not afforded such protection. When a person traveling on foot is hit by a vehicle, the results are frequently catastrophic due to its size, weight, and force of impact.
Some of the most common kinds of injuries that victims suffer in pedestrian crashes include, but are not limited to:
- Broken bones
- Head & neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Dislocated joints or limbs
- Internal organ damage
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No Fee Unless Your Case is Successful
Any personal injury consultation is free with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers
Pedestrian accidents can cause a wide range of injuries that may not only require medical attention but also long-term therapy and rehabilitation. In some cases, they may lead to permanent damage that may affect your ability to perform daily tasks or return to work. If you or a family member was injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to receive compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties. You can recover damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, costs for therapy, and lost income, among others.
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg represents clients in Chicago and throughout Illinois. Contact our law firm today to learn more and speak directly to a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. We offer free initial consultations. No fee unless we are successful. Call us today at 1.877.595.HURT (4878).
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