Chicago Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Advocating For You

Every year, thousands of people are injured in accidents. Whether it is being hit by a car or falling on a sidewalk that wasn’t properly shoveled, you have rights that protect you from suffering. Berg & Berg Attorneys at Law has been helping injured clients throughout Illinois since 1991, and our attorneys have 75 years of combined legal experience. We have built a strong reputation throughout Chicago as being a firm you can trust.

Holding Negligent Parties Accountable

Whether you are injured by a vehicle or because of faulty property, you may recover damages for any injuries you have suffered. In order to do so, we must prove negligence. This means that the person failed to take reasonable action or care in that specific circumstance, which ended up harming others. To prove this we must show:

• The person at fault failed to act accordingly, through action or inaction.
• They caused an accident or injury.
• They harmed you or others as a result.

It’s possible that more than one party may be held liable. Potential parties include the driver of a vehicle or the party responsible for maintaining the sidewalk or road. It’s important to note that as a pedestrian, it is also your job to act responsibly by obeying all traffic signs and practicing caution when crossing the street.

What Are Your Rights As A Pedestrian?

Being a pedestrian can make you feel powerless. But you do have rights under Illinois law. For instance:

• Pedestrians have the right of way when crossing the street in a marked unmarked crosswalk. Drivers must yield right of way and stop completely.
• When a pedestrian is crossing on their side of the street (regardless of where they cross), drivers are required to exercise “due care,” which means taking all reasonable actions to avoid hitting them.
• If a pedestrian has a visible disability, drivers must yield right of way when that pedestrian is trying to cross the street. They are also permitted to cross the street at any point if there is not a physically accessible intersection.

Too often, pedestrians are blamed for their own injuries, which is why the “due care” provision is so important. It reminds drivers that they are still responsible for pedestrian safety even when pedestrians don’t perfectly follow the rules.

Common Causes Of Chicago Pedestrian Accidents

The main cause of pedestrian accidents is driver negligence. This includes:

• Drunk and/or distracted driving
• Speeding and aggressive driving
• Failure to keep a lookout for pedestrians
• Failure to yield right of way
• Selfish behaviors like trying to “beat the light” or make a last-second turn at an intersection
• Failure to adapt to changing traffic or weather conditions

Proving fault is critical after a pedestrian accident. Don’t let the driver or the insurance company blame you for someone else’s negligence behind the wheel. When you contact our firm, we begin an immediate and thorough investigation into the crash to determine how it happened and to gather evidence against the at-fault driver.

What Severe Injuries Can Chicago Pedestrian Accident Victims Suffer?

Traffic-related pedestrian accidents are a growing issue. Pedestrians can suffer from severe injuries after a car collision. The force from a vehicle and how a pedestrian falls can greatly determine what kind of injuries they will suffer. Even slow or moderate-speed vehicles can cause victims to suffer from physical, mental and emotional injuries. Here are a few injuries our pedestrian accident attorneys have seen clients suffer from:

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic head wounds
• Paralysis
• Tissue and nerve damage
• Concussions
• Internal bleeding

At Berg & Berg Attorneys at Law, we help anyone who has suffered from a vehicle collision create a pedestrian accident claim, no matter the severity of the injury. We take time to gather the necessary documents, such as witness statements, medical reports, photos of the accident scene and expert opinions, to build a strong personal injury case.

What Happens When A Pedestrian Accident Results In Wrongful Death?

Unfortunately, a traffic-related pedestrian accident can lead to a wrongful death. This is often because the impact of a vehicle caused a pedestrian to suffer too great of an injury or they did not receive immediate medical attention.

The surviving family of the deceased pedestrian can make a wrongful death claim to hold a negligent driver responsible for their loved one’s death. Damages may be paid to the surviving family to compensate for their medical expenses acquired prior to the victim’s death, funeral expenses, loss of income provided by the decedent, mental anguish and other financial burdens.

Understanding Illinois Comparative Fault Laws

Illinois comparative fault laws can impact pedestrian injury settlements. A victim can receive compensation if they are less than 50% at fault for an accident. However, any percent of fault the victim may have had in an accident can lower the damages.

For example, if a pedestrian was 20% at fault, then they may only receive 80% of the maximum damages. Our pedestrian accident lawyers can help clients build a strong case so they receive the maximum amount of compensation.

Call To Talk To An Experienced Attorney For Free Today

Whether or not you are sure you have a case, we can help you decide what the next steps will be. Our attorneys are fluent in Spanish, and, for your convenience, we offer free consultations. Contact our Chicago office today at 773-596-6654 or fill out our contact form. Se habla español.