Drivers must conduct themselves in a safe manner, and have a duty of care while operating their vehicles that extend to more than just other cars. Drivers often fail to keep a look out for vulnerable people on the road, such as pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists. The following are the main causes for pedestrian accidents. 

• Distracted driving. Texting while driving or other distractions, such as food or the radio.

• Left-hand turn. A motorist making a left hand turn without noticing a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

• Exiting a parking lot or driveway. A driver does not look for pedestrians while turning into or out of a parking lot or driveway.

• Failure to yield. A driver fails to stop at a stop sign or yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

• A vehicle backing out of a parking space or driveway.

• Speeding. A driver is going too fast for conditions, loses control and can't stop.

• DUI. A drunk driver fails to see a pedestrian.

• Bad weather. Whether it's icy conditions, or bad visibility from rain or snow, Illinois weather can cause pedestrian accidents. 

WHERE DO MOST CHILD PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS OCCUR?

Drivers should be especially cautious when driving through areas that are likely to have children present, such as:

• Residential neighborhoods
• school zones
• shopping areas
• parks and playgrounds
• recreational areas

This is very important because small children are less aware of the dangers of their surroundings and the risk posed by moving vehicles. Further, drivers often do not see children because of their size. 

Parents should always educate their children about the dangers of vehicles and roadways. This includes dangers of walking through parking lots and crossing streets. Parents accompanying their children along roadways should always have them by the hand or in their arms. 

HOW CAN I AVOID PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS?

There are several precautions to take in order to avoid getting hit by a car as a pedestrian:

• Cross streets only in designated crosswalks
• Only cross when you have a walk signal at stop light intersections
• Be defensive when crossing the street, assume the driver does not see you
• Never cross in the middle of a street, especially on busy urban streets with multiple lanes
• Wear bright and reflective clothing when walking at night

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I'M INJURED IN A PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT?

• Call the police immediately and make a report. Recording your injuries will help with compensation
• Document witness information at the scene
• Go to the hospital to get checked out 
• Call pedestrian accident attorney
• Don't speak with an auto insurance company until you speak with a lawyer

More people are turning to public transportation or other forms of transportation, more pedestrians will be on the public roadways. This is true in urban areas like Chicago, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, and other cities in Illinois, where people often walk from bus or train stops to their homes or place of employment. 

Often pedestrians are struck by drivers who are too distracted to notice them crossing the street or walking behind their vehicles. When a pedestrian is hit by a car, it will be the pedestrian, not the driver, who will pay the heavy price. 

The pedestrian injury attorneys at Illinois personal injury lawyers group have decades of experience representing pedestrians injured in these types of accidents. 

We are ready to pursue an injury claim on your behalf or a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a loved one who has been killed in a pedestrian accident in Chicago or anywhere else in Illinois. 

I FELT OKAY AFTER A DRIVER HIT ME. DO I NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR? 

Pedestrian are extremely vulnerable to the impact of a car, they have no protection from the car that hit them. Regardless of the pain you feel, you should always get examined by a physician for internal injuries such as internal bleeding, organ damage, neck injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. 

Further, after a person is hit by a car, the adrenaline rush will conceal the pain for some time. Going to be examined by a doctor means you have documented your injuries in your medical record, which will help you get maximum compensation for your injuries. 

I WAS JAYWALKING. CAN I STILL HAVE A VIABLE ILLINOIS PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT CLAIM?

Yes. Not using a crosswalk does NOT stop you from seeking damages for your injuries. Drivers have an elevated duty of care towards those with whom they share the road, meaning they must carefully watch for pedestrians and cyclists. 

Your award might be reduced when you prevail, depending on the exact circumstances. Our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers can evaluate your case and provide you a better picture. 

HOW MUCH IS MY PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT CLAIM WORTH?

The value of a claim is hard to determine before a consultation and varies from case to case. The value will depend on the circumstances and facts of the event. 

Your attorney will include your medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic expenses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and come up with a value. As a general rule, the more severe your injuries and losses you suffered, the higher the value of your claim. 

DO I HAVE TO TESTIFY AT TRIAL?

The majority of traffic accident cases, including accidents involving pedestrians, settle before going to trial. However, when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation, negotiations will stop, and settling the case will not be an option. 

If this happens in your case, you may be required to attend court and testify. Our experienced attorneys will be with you every step of the way. 

DO I NEED A LAWYER FOR MY ILLINOIS PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT CASE?

Yes, injury cases can become very complicated and you need an attorney to fight and protect your rights. Our attorneys are trained negotiators with specific knowledge of the Illinois court system, which allows us to better serve our clients. 

Our experienced Orland Park, Oak Lawn, and Chicago-land pedestrian lawyers have decades of experience dealing with insurance companies, which allows them to negotiate a much better settlement than you would on your own, and protect you from the unethical tactics they use to undervalue or deny your claim. 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RETAIN A LAWYER FOR MY CHICAGO PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT CLAIM?

Chicago and Illinois pedestrian accident lawyers do not charge an up front fee to their clients. They work on cases on a contingent bases. Meaning, you do not pay out-of-pocket for up front attorney fees, your lawyer will get a percentage from any compensation they secure for you in the form of a settlement or court-awarded damages. our policy is that there will be no fee unless you win your case. 

SHOULD I ACCEPT A SETTLEMENT OFFER FROM THE DRIVER'S INSURANCE CARRIER? 

Insurance companies only care about their bottom line and hate paying out claims. When they know their policy holder is liable for an accident, they will use every trick in the book to pay as little as possible. 

This means they will attempt to settle a case very quickly with a victim, knowing they have medical bills piling up, and have missed work because of their injuries. 

Early settlement offers by insurance companies are almost always much lower than the value of your claim. Further, when you accept an offer, it will become final, you will not have any right to bring a lawsuit. 

It is very important that you consult with our Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys before accepting a settlement offer from the driver's insurance carrier. 

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RESOLVE MY PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT CLAIM?

This will depend on whether there is clear liability, which typically take less time. Other factors may include the availability of eyewitness and expert witnesses to testify and the extent to which the insurance company and defendants are cooperating with your Illinois personal injury lawyers. 

Further, big value cases take longer to resolve if there is significant injury and a big insurance policy to pursue. A good injury lawyer will not want to settle your case if you are still receiving treatment. This is because it makes no sense to settle your claim when the value is still increasing.

HOW MUCH COMPENSATION CAN I RECEIVE IF I PREVAIL IN A CHICAGO PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT LAWSUIT?

If you reach a settlement or a court rules in your favor , you can expect to receive full compensation for your losses that are related to your pedestrian accident and injuries, including:

• Medical treatment costs
• lost wages
• Future medical treatment costs
• Future lost wages
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional pain and suffering
• Reduced quality of life
• and more

A pedestrian accident can have life altering consequences, if victims suffer severe injuries. Contact an experienced Illinois pedestrian accident attorney today, we will help you get the compensation you deserve.