Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
At some point, everyone is a pedestrian. They must walk to a car, truck, bus or train most days. And when they are walking, pedestrians are always at a risk for being involved in an accident. In many situations, pedestrians have the right-of-way, meaning that vehicular traffic must yield to those walking. But that does not always happen and when a car fails to yield, an accident often occurs.
Unfortunately, one common factor among pedestrian accidents in Chicago is the injuries that result. When compared to other types of car accidents, those involving pedestrians are much more likely to end in serious injuries or death because pedestrians have little to no protection in the event of a crash. Unlike drivers and passengers in a car, pedestrians are not surrounding by metal and safety features like air bags which limits the pedestrian’s chances of walking away from a crash uninjured.
Yet pedestrians who are victimized in accidents are not without relief. The laws in Chicago and the rest of Illinois allow these individuals to seek a recovery for their damages, including any medical bills they have been forced to incur. Often a claim can be brought against an at-fault driver or the owner of the responsible vehicle. In other cases, the pedestrian victim may be entitled to bring a claim against his or her own insurance company. As the facts of each accident are unique, it is a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer experienced in pedestrian cases to learn whether you have a valid claim and whether you are entitled to relief.
Police in Skokie learned of an accident involving a pedestrian on Sunday night and responded to the scene of the crash in the 3400 block of Dempster Street. When they arrived shortly after 9:00 p.m., they determined that a 30-year-old man was crossing Dempster when a car driven by an 18-year-old man approached. The car struck the pedestrian for reasons that are not yet clear, leading to serious injuries to the walker and the need for medical treatment at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. Unfortunately, the pedestrian’s injuries were grave and he died some time later as a result of the crash.
Police are still investigating the incident and trying to determine whether anyone involved in the crash acted in a negligent manner. At this time, no citations have been issued.
An accident can happen at any time and to any person, and when an accident leaves one or more individuals injured, there may be legal relief possible for those victims. In the tragic event that a victim loses his or her life in a collision, the victim’s family may be entitled to seek relief.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we believe that anyone who has been injured in an accident deserves to understand their legal options and whether they have a valid claim. To make that possible, we offer a free case consultation to all victims who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575. We are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week and all information discussed will be kept confidential. If you have been hurt while a pedestrian in Chicago, call us today and let us help you get the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Semi Truck Rolls Over on I-290; At Least 1 Injured, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published April 29, 2014.
Resource:
Skokie man dies in crash on Dempster Street, by Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, published April 29, 2014.