Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
The more an area is used by both motorists and pedestrians, the more likely that collisions between the two groups will occur. In Chicago, there are walkers and drivers on every street and in every intersection but in some of the suburbs, these shared areas are much less common. Yet in nearly every suburb, the areas surrounding Metra stations see hundreds if not thousands of cars and pedestrians every weekday.
Victims of these accidents are almost always likely to sustain injuries that can range from mild or severe. When a pedestrian accident is caused by the negligence of a driver and the pedestrian sustains injuries, the laws in Chicago and the surrounding cities may entitle the victim to bring a civil claim for any damages incurred. Whether or not a claim is available is something that an injury lawyer can help you learn after an accident.
But in the end, even making a recovery for injuries is not as good as preventing an accident from every occurring. Officials in Mundelein feel this way and believe that the addition of a pedestrian bridge may separate types of traffic enough to reduce collisions, preventing injuries and saving lives.
At a Village meeting earlier this week, officials confirmed they will re-apply for the Illinois Commerce Commission Grade Crossing Safety Fund which provides up to $2 million to help address the issue of pedestrian traffic safety and to reduce pedestrian accidents.
The bridge, if funded, will connect the Metra station in Mundelein with an area that will host a new village hall that will open next summer. Other businesses may be entering the area as well, providing both Metra and non-Metra users with a safe, efficient means to cross the area safety and without the risk of oncoming traffic. The bridge is planned to be 150 feet wide and will provide a shorter means of travel from the two areas to be linked than what currently exists.
In addition to reducing potential pedestrian accidents, village officials also believe that pedestrian traffic may be more easily controlled in the area, leading to a more efficient use of the property and of the surrounding streets.
Unfortunately, not every area is as safe as it should or could be for use by pedestrians. Often, these are the streets, intersections, an alleyways in which an accident between a pedestrian and a vehicle occurs, leaving the pedestrian to suffer the brunt of the impact and the majority of the injuries.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident or if your loved one has been killed, know that Illinois laws may provide you with relief aside from any criminal or traffic violations asserted by the State. Call the lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a free, no obligation telephone consultation and let us discuss your legal options with you. We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day to take your call and if we represent you in your case, we will never charge a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf. Call us today at (855) 529-2442 or (312) 924-7575 and let us help you.
Prior Blog Entry:
First Accuser of Former Priest to Identify Himself Files Suit for Damages, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published December 12, 2013.
Resource:
Mundelein seeking grant money to build pedestrian bridge, by Kristy MacKaben, Chicago Tribune, published December 11, 2013.