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Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Unfortunately, car accidents involving pedestrians are fairly common in Illinois, especially in busy urban areas like Chicago and its suburbs. Furthermore, pedestrian accidents often have severe consequences, such as a serious injury, permanent disability, or even the wrongful death of a loved one, so it is important to find a lawyer who has experience with these kinds of cases. Our team of Naperville, Illinois pedestrian accident attorneys regularly help people who have been seriously injured by a negligent driver while out walking, so we know how best to help.
Our dedicated lawyers have been representing people just like you for over 30 years, and we are skilled at getting the maximum compensation for our clients. Let our trusted pedestrian accident attorneys manage all the details of your case so you can stop worrying and focus on your recovery. If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, we urge you to contact us as soon as possible so we can preserve your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions- Who Is Most Likely to Be the Victim of a Pedestrian Accident?
- What Are Some Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
- What is the Pedestrian’s Responsibility?
- What is the Driver’s Responsibility?
- What Should You Do If You Are Struck by a Vehicle?
- What Types of Pedestrian Accident Victims Have We Helped?
- Why Should You Hire the Collins Law Firm?
Who Is Most Likely to Be the Victim of a Pedestrian Accident?
- Children: Pedestrian fatalities continue to be a leading cause of death for children age 15 and younger. Almost 18,000 children go to the hospital each year because of pedestrian accidents in the U.S. Why are children so vulnerable? Their smaller size makes them harder to see. They do not understand the dangers and do not have the experience to accurately judge speed and distance. Moreover, a recent study found that children age 6-11 were unable to detect cars moving faster than 20 mph.
- Senior citizens: Nationally, older adults represent only 12% of the population, but 21% of all fatal pedestrian accidents. Why are older adults at risk? They may be slower to react and be physically incapable of getting out of the way quickly enough to avoid a dangerous situation. In addition, seniors sometimes suffer from impaired or reduced vision which puts them at risk. Finally, if they do get struck by a vehicle, their age and frailty may make their injuries more life-threatening.
- People of color: Like seniors, people of color have higher rates of pedestrian fatalities--with African Americans having a fatality rate 60% higher, and Hispanics having a rate 43% higher than average.
What Are Some Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
- Distracted driving is a major cause of collisions between automobiles and pedestrians. Drivers who are texting or talking on their cell phone are a huge problem all across the country.
- Inattention to pedestrians. Drivers may actually see a pedestrian but not react to them in the same way they would to a car. In addition, they may not be looking for pedestrians when turning or pulling out of a driveway or parking lot.
- Not seeing a pedestrian. Because a pedestrian, and especially children, are so much smaller than cars, it is possible for a driver to not be able to see them on a crosswalk, sidewalk or in a parking lot.
- Drivers violating traffic laws. Speeding drivers or drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians at lights or crosswalks cause a number of pedestrian accidents each year.
- Drunk drivers. Obviously, drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs are a danger to pedestrians.
- Fatigued drivers. Studies have shown that being extremely tired can be almost as big a factor as alcohol in impairing driving ability. And impaired drivers cause accidents involving pedestrians.
What is the Pedestrian’s Responsibility?
Pedestrians, as well as the drivers they share the streets with, have a responsibility to prevent accidents. To do this, pedestrians need to be alert for traffic and stay in crosswalks. Illinois statutes also state that pedestrians must:
- Obey all traffic signals.
- Cross the road at a right angle or take the shortest route possible.
- Refrain from crossing suddenly in front of oncoming traffic.
- Use sidewalks if possible. If none are available, they must walk on the left side of the road.
It is also the responsibility of drivers to keep everyone safe. Drivers should be prepared to yield to pedestrians and drive a safe distance away from them. If a driver fails to follow the rules of the road, ignores traffic signals, or fails to respect a crosswalk, he or she can be held liable in an accident. Drivers must come to a stop and yield when:
- A pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk.
- Children are near a school zone crosswalk.
- Pedestrians are following a walk signal at an intersection.
- Pedestrians are on the sidewalk crossing a private alley or driveway.
- Traffic signs indicate no turning is allowed when pedestrians are present.
- Pedestrians are in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection with a stop sign.
What Should You Do If You Are Struck by a Vehicle?
What Types of Pedestrian Accident Victims Have We Helped?- Get medical attention. This is your number one priority. Call 911 and get an ambulance to take you to the hospital if necessary. If you do not go to the hospital, schedule a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible. Some injuries that may not be immediately obvious—like traumatic brain or internal injuries-- have delayed symptoms or need a doctor to diagnose them.
- Obtain your police report. The police will respond to the scene of the accident, talk to you and write up a police report. Make sure you tell your side of the story. The police report may have a finding of fault and, therefore, may be very helpful to your case.
- Gather evidence: Take pictures at the scene; get the driver’s information (license, cell number, insurance, and contact information); write down notes of what happened and keep a journal of how the accident has affected you, both physically and mentally. Keep copies of all medical bills, any other accident-related expenses, and employer reports on lost wages. All of these will be part of your case.
- Report the crash to your insurance agent.
- DO NOT talk to the other driver’s lawyer or insurance agent. They are working for the other driver, not you.
- Contact an experienced Illinois pedestrian accident attorney and let him or her begin an investigation for you and talk to the other driver’s insurance company.
At The Collins Law Firm, we help all kinds of pedestrians injured by the negligence of automobile drivers: people who have suffered broken bones, brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, disfigurement, amputation, disability, and even death. Our clients have been the victims of:
- Hit and run accidents.
- Crosswalk accidents.
- Distracted driving accidents
- Impaired driving accidents.
- Accidents where a driveway and sidewalk intersect.
- Fatal accidents.
Why Should You Hire The Collins Law Firm?
Call The Collins Law Firm for a Free Evaluation of Your Case Today- Our honesty and integrity. We pride ourselves on being completely transparent with our clients, communicating everything upfront about the cost and the process. We want our families to feel confident that they have made a good decision.
- Our experience and results. Our attorneys have been representing families just like yours for a long time, and we know what we are doing. We have gotten amazing results for our personal injury clients and have been awarded by our peers as outstanding lawyers. Our lawyers will be committed to getting you the maximum compensation available.
- We put our clients first. We do the work, so you can focus on recovery. In a pedestrian accident case, our dedicated team will:
- Thoroughly investigate the accident.
- Review the police report.
- Compile all medical bills and other expenses.
- Photograph the scene of the accident and the other vehicle for evidence.
- Interview witnesses and treating doctors.
- Analyze video (if available).
- Check the other driver’s cell phone records.
- Check for any BAC testing of the other driver.
- Negotiate with the insurance company for you.
- Argue your case at trial if necessary.
- No fees unless you win. All of our personal injury cases are on a contingency fee basis. That means that you pay us nothing upfront. When you win or settle your case, we take a percentage of the recovery.
At The Collins Law Firm, we are committed to fighting for the rights of each and every one of our clients whose lives have been seriously impacted by a serious pedestrian accident. These accidents take a huge toll on victims and their families: financially, physically and emotionally. When we take your case, our attorneys will give you peace of mind, knowing that every detail will be taken care of and that you are in good hands. Whether you have been injured in a pedestrian accident yourself or are grieving the wrongful death of a family member, we can help you get the justice you deserve. Call our pedestrian accident attorneys at (630) 527-1595 for a FREE EVALUATION of your case or fill out our contact form now.
