Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Less than three weeks of 2015 have come to pass and already, numerous collisions between cars and pedestrians have occurred in the greater Chicago area. Several of these have involved hit-and-run drivers and unfortunately, most have caused serious injuries to the pedestrians while some have turned fatal.
Pedestrian accidents are of concern to all those who call Chicago home because at one point or another, nearly everyone walks. Whether you merely walk outside to get a cup of coffee in the morning, walk to your parking place, or walk to public transportation, odds are that you will cross paths with vehicular traffic when you do, putting you at risk for a crash.
It can be difficult to know where to turn for help when a crash occurs or what type of relief may be available to those who are injured. The laws in Illinois and in Chicago enable victims to obtain financial compensation when they are injured due to the actions of another, including those who are hurt in pedestrian accidents and those injured while walking in the city. Compensation can help victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and intangible losses like pain and suffering but victims must take affirmative steps to seek that relief or they will be barred from obtaining it. For that reason, speaking to a personal injury lawyer in Chicago can help you understand your options and whether you have a valid claim if you have been injured or if your loved one was hurt or killed. Further, an attorney can help you with the procedural information you need to know to proceed with your action in a timely manner and to seek relief against all those who may be responsible so that you can fully recover from your accident.
Just after 10:00 p.m. on Saturday evening, a crash happened in the Hermosa neighborhood on Chicago’s Northwest Side. The incident happened in the 4300 block of West North Avenue and involved a 2002 Buick and two pedestrians and it claimed the life of both pedestrians involved.
According to officials, the Buick collided with the two men, ages 36 and approximately 50, as they crossed the street but the Buick, driven by a 24-year-old male, never stopped at the scene. Instead, the driver fled and collided with parked cars three blocks away, leading police officers to identify and apprehend the driver. While police have not confirmed the cause of the accident, they have stated that the driver has been arrested and that charges against him are pending at this time.
Emergency crews were at the scene and attempted to provide medical care to the victims. Reports indicate that one man was unresponsive while the second was confirmed to survive the crash initially; though the second victim was taken to an area hospital shortly after the accident, the man’s injuries were too severe and he died a short time later.
Victims of pedestrian accidents in Chicago have legal options and legal rights that can be enforced if they take the steps necessary to do so. When a tragic incident happens and a pedestrian is killed in a crash, the right to seek relief may belong to that victim’s surviving family members, though no amount of compensation can ever be considered adequate in these cases.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., our law firm is made up solely of personal injury attorneys who fight for the rights of victims and their families, and if a crash has affected your life, we want to fight for you. We offer a free case consultation without any obligation to those who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day. If you are looking for help or if you simply have questions, do not hesitate – call Abels & Annes, P.C. today.
Prior Blog Entry:
Pedestrian Killed in Car Crash on Chicago’s Northwest Side, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published January 16, 2015.
Resource:
2 pedestrians killed in Northwest Side hit-and-run, by Alexandra Chachkevitch, Chicago Tribune, published January 18, 2015.