Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
A 61-year-old man was hit and killed while crossing the street in Romeoville on Thursday, according to local police. The incident happened near the intersection of Weber Road and 135th Street at about 9:35 p.m.
Local police say the pedestrian was crossing Weber Road from the west to the east on the evening of July 4th when a northbound Honda Civic struck the man. The man was transported to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital but he did not survive his injuries and was pronounced death at the hospital.
The driver of the Civic is a 23-year-old man from Aurora. After police responded to the crash, they arrested the driver on charges of driving without a license and without insurance. It is not clear whether the driver will be charged for any violations related to the collision.
The area where the accident occurred is mostly commercial with several large establishments surrounding the intersection. A lot of vehicles travel the street and turn into one of several parking lots around the establishments but pedestrian traffic is also common. It is not clear whether the pedestrian involved in this crash was within a marked pedestrian area or not but what is clear is that at least one of the parties acted negligently and a man lost his life.
When thinking of an automobile accident, the common image that comes to mind may be of two cars colliding. But that is not the only type of accident that happens in Illinois. Unfortunately pedestrians are hit every year and in 2011, 35 pedestrians in Illinois were killed in accidents with cars. Another 4,911 pedestrians were injured.
Accidents between cars and pedestrians can happen in any number of ways but often, the initial cause is that the driver of a car fails to notice or see a pedestrian on the road, at a crosswalk, or on a sidewalk. Drivers sometimes forget that in addition to watching other cars, they must remain alert for those who might be walking. This is particularly true at intersections where a driver wants to turn right. If the light is red and a driver brings a vehicle to a stop, intending to turn right, it is easy to look to the left to make sure traffic is clear before beginning a turn. However it is critical that a driver also look to the right to make sure no pedestrians are crossing the intersection. Noticing a crossing pedestrian will cause a driver to wait to make a turn and prevent the driver from causing an accident.
If you have been hurt as a pedestrian by the negligence of a driver, the law may provide you with the right to a financial recovery. This money can help a victim pay for medical bills and other expenses that occur after a crash. As each case is different, victims are encouraged to contact a lawyer to make sure they understand their rights and what their options may be.
At Abels & Annes, we are experienced Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys with decades of experience collecting millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. We are committed to the victims we represent and we provide everyone with an initial free telephone consultation. If you have been hurt in an accident, call us today at (312) 924-7575 and let us help you as you begin your road to recovery.
Prior Blog Entries:
Many Boaters Still Operate Under the Influence Despite Risks, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 5, 2013.
CTA Bus and Dump Truck Collide, Seriously Injuring CTA Worker, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 3, 2013.
Resources:
Pedestrian Struck By Car, Killed In Romeoville, CBS Chicago/Sun-Times Media Wire, published July 5, 2013.
Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics, Illinois Department of Transportation, 2011.