When walking along a sidewalk in Chicago, pedestrians often feel like they are safe from the threat of an accident because they are physically separated from vehicular traffic. But unfortunately, as thousands of pedestrians every year can attest, that is not necessarily the case. Drivers sometimes operate in a reckless manner and place their vehicles in the path of walkers at intersections, at crosswalks, in alleys, and even while a pedestrian is on a sidewalk. A number of incidents between cars and pedestrians occur when cars are exiting driveways or parking lots and cross a designated pedestrian walkway.
Pedestrian accidents in Chicago are often serious and many cause devastating injuries including broken bones, head injuries, injuries to the back or neck, cuts and lacerations, or even death. These victims and their surviving family members may be forced to incur extensive medical bills as treatment continues and may suffer other financial losses like missed income if a victim is unable to work for a period of time. Forcing the victim to bear these losses when the victim is not to blame in a collision is not what the legislature in Illinois intended; rather, the laws in Chicago and across the state are designed to hold a responsible party liable for the damages suffered by a victim, including medical bills, but only if the victim seeks such a recovery. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Chicago area who has experience representing pedestrians may help you understand your legal options following a collision.
Shortly after 9:00 p.m. last night, a collision occurred between a pickup truck and a pedestrian in McHenry on West Crystal Lake Road. All of the details have not been released at this time but police confirmed that the pedestrian was killed in the crash. The driver of the truck appeared to be uninjured.
Authorities believe that the driver of the truck may have been under the influence at the time of the collision though those suspicions have not yet been confirmed. Officials are still investigating the collision and trying to determine each individual’s actions prior to impact so that they can understand the precise nature of the crash.
Pedestrians are entitled to walk in areas designated for pedestrian traffic without being injured due to another’s actions, yet too often, that is not the case. When a pedestrian crash occurs in Chicago or the surrounding suburban areas, the legal team at Abels & Annes, P.C. want to know that you may be entitled to relief.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we only represent injury victims and we never represent insurance companies. We offer a free, no obligation telephone consultation to all those who contact us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we provide it 24 hours a day, seven days a week and at Abels & Annes, P.C., we never charge our clients a fee unless we make a recovery in their case.
If you or your loved one has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, make sure you understand your legal options. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
2 Children, 2 Adults Injured in Chicago Car Crash, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published September 9, 2014.
Resource:
Pedestrian dead, motorist accused of DUI, by Rosemary Regina Sobol, Chicago Tribune, published September 10, 2014.