Articles Posted in Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrians face numerous threats when they walk near a roadway, even if they walk only along sidewalks or in other pedestrian-friendly areas. The facts continue to reveal that when drivers ignore or fail to notice the rights of a person walking nearby, the odds of a pedestrian accident occurring increase substantially, threatening the safety of that pedestrian. And when a collision does happen, it nearly always causes injuries to the walker involved because there is nothing to protect that individual from the impact of a car. Contrast this to a more common rear-end collision where some accidents produce injuries and some do not and it may become apparent how important the issue of pedestrian safety is in the greater Chicago area.

Victims of pedestrian accidents that occur in Illinois may be left with significant medical expenses as a result of their collisions. They may be unable to work for a time while they recover and therefore unable to earn the wages they need to support themselves and their families. Regardless of their injuries, there is almost always some degree of pain and suffering that they are forced to endure. Speaking with a personal injury attorney in Chicago can help these victims realize what relief may be available to them and whether they are entitled to financial compensation through the use of a civil claim for damages.
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In 2010 alone, there were 2,943 pedestrian accidents in the city of Chicago alone. Across the nation, 4,280 pedestrians were killed in accidents in the same year. These staggering numbers give an indication of how significant of an issue pedestrian-related collisions present to those in Chicago as well as those who walk or drive across the state. There is no simple explanation for why so many collisions occur but officials believe that distracted driving is a significant contributing factor. Often, drivers may pay attention to other cars on the road but they fail to look for pedestrians, motorcycles, and bicycles as well, leading to an environment where a collision with a pedestrian may occur.

When a pedestrian is involved in an accident, injuries nearly always result. They may range from minor bumps and bruises to broken bones and head injuries to even death in the worst cases. When injuries result from an accident that was caused by a driver’s negligence, an injured pedestrian may be entitled to relief for his or her damages. The surviving family members of a pedestrian who loses his or her life may similarly be entitled to relief. Speaking with a lawyer who handles personal injury cases may help you understand whether you have a valid claim if you have been involved in a crash.

Officials in Chicago were called to the scene of a pedestrian accident in the city’s Logan Square neighborhood on Friday. Around 6:30 p.m., a car collided with a pedestrian in the 2200 block of North Rockwell Street, leaving the pedestrian with critical injuries. The pedestrian, a 61-year-old man, was transported by paramedics to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center but his injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The crash is still under investigation by local authorities who are trying to determine why the car and the pedestrian collided. The driver of the vehicle, a 51-year-old man, received two tickets as a result of the accident but the nature of the tickets is not clear at this time.
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Accidents between vehicles and pedestrians are often devastating. In 2010 alone, there were 2,943 such accidents just in the city of Chicago, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. In over 90 percent of all pedestrian accidents, the pedestrian involved is either injured or killed, meaning that the physical toll exacted by these collisions cannot be overstated.

With the constant presence of pedestrians in Chicago, the city experiences a large number of collisions between these walkers and vehicles annually. Most of these collisions do not need to occur, though, and actually are the result of negligence or recklessness on the part of the driver, the pedestrian, or both. When someone involved in an accident fails to act in a safe and legal manner and causes a collision to occur, the victims of that crash may be entitled to seek relief for their injuries. Speaking with a lawyer in Chicago who represents pedestrians injured in accidents may help you understand the legal implications of your accident and what avenues of relief may be available to you.

An accident on Wednesday evening in Des Plaines triggered a police response to the area. When they arrived, they found a collision between a truck and a pedestrian in the area of Frontage Road and Touhy Avenue. During their investigation, authorities determined that a 44-year-old man was driving the truck westbound on Touhy Avenue with two passengers in the car. As the truck approached the area, it struck a 43-year-old male pedestrian, leaving him with critical injuries. Emergency medical technicians transported the pedestrian to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital for treatment but the man’s injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead.

At this time, investigators believe that the driver of the truck was operating under the influence of alcohol, contrary to and in violation of local and state laws. The driver was subsequently arrested and has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence and causing an accident that resulted in death, a crime that could lead to incarceration if he is convicted. He is expected to appear in court in Skokie on Friday on the charges.

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Pedestrian accidents in Chicago unfortunately are common, especially in areas where heavy walking and vehicular traffic both occur. These spots include crosswalks near busy intersections, sidewalks crossing alleys, and the entrances and exits of parking garages. In many cases, the pedestrian has the right-of-way over a car, meaning that the car is required to let the person walking proceed first. However, in many cases, pedestrian traffic also must follow specified rules including obeying pedestrian crossing signals and crossing only in designated areas.

When a collision between a car and a pedestrian occurs, it can be difficult to understand the factors that led to the crash, including whether either party involved was acting in a negligent manner. Investigators have special training to help them recreate the facts of a collision and they may be able to determine who bears fault in the crash in the eyes of the State of Illinois. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who handles cases on behalf of injured pedestrians may help you understand your personal legal rights and options following an accident if you sustained injuries.

When an accident occurs and it gives rise to a right to a recovery by a victim, any victim involved may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages including pain and suffering. In the worst cases where a victim is killed, that individual’s surviving family members may be entitled to relief for their losses, though no payment can ever truly provide adequate compensation in those cases.

Chicago police were called to respond to an accident between a car and a pedestrian early yesterday morning on the city’s northwest side. Though still early in the investigation, officials believe that the victim, an 85-year-old man, may have been in the street in front of oncoming traffic when he was struck. The incident happened shortly before 6:00 a.m. in the 4400 block of North Narragansette and caused emergency crews to respond to the scene. Medical personnel transported the victim to Resurrection Medical Center but the man’s injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Investigators are trying to determine if the man was in the street before the crash and if so, what caused him to be there. The driver involved in the incident stayed at the scene and spoke with police; officers have reported that the driver has not been ticketed.
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Annually, over 4,000 pedestrians die in traffic-related accidents across the United States every year. Several of those deaths often occur in Chicago, a metropolis known for heavy foot traffic and congested roadways. In addition to those pedestrians who are killed, hundreds more are injured and are forced to incur medical and surgical expenses for their damages even though an accident may not have been their fault.

Pedestrian accidents in Chicago are often devastating and critical because they tend to involve an unprotected pedestrian and a much larger, heavier object like a car. When compared to the steel of a vehicle, a pedestrian does not stand much chance in an accident, explaining part of the reason why pedestrians almost always suffer injuries when hit by a car.

In addition to cars, though, pedestrians can be hurt in collisions with motorcycles, bicycles, public transportation buses, and even trains. Unlike other areas, the city of Chicago has all of these potential threats to pedestrians and more; often, a pedestrian walking just a handful of blocks downtown can encounter all of these threats in a small, combined space. When a pedestrian is hurt in an accident or when he or she is killed, the pedestrian or the pedestrian’s surviving family members may be entitled to seek relief for the damages that are incurred, including any medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of life in the event of death. No amount of relief can ever properly compensate a family who has lost a loved one due to the negligence of another but bringing a claim for damages can help ease some of the burden experienced by a death. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer can help you understand whether you may be entitled to relief following your accident as well as what legal options and claims may be available to you.

Unfortunately, a pedestrian became the victim of what police have described as a hit-and-run car accident in Chicago on Saturday. The incident occurred in the 1000 block of West Grand Avenue shortly before 5:00 p.m. as a 33-year-old man was walking on or near the street. A car approached the area where the man was walking and hit him, causing a serious collision and reportedly throwing the man to the ground. The driver of the car fled the scene of the crash without speaking with police or even stopping to see if the pedestrian was injured. At this time, the driver has neither been identified nor apprehended but police are searching for the individual as well as the car’s owner.

Emergency crews responded to the scene and transported the victim to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County for treatment. The pedestrian’s injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at the hospital.
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When walking, it may become necessary to cross a street or to otherwise enter a roadway normally used by automobiles. When this happens, pedestrians usually have the right-of-way, or the priority to use the area over cars, and cars must yield until the pedestrians are clear of the street. The most common example of this is in a crosswalk designated for use by pedestrians. If pedestrians have a green light to cross a street at a crosswalk, in nearly all circumstances, cars must yield to the pedestrians.

But every year, pedestrian accidents occur in Chicago as a result of drivers failing to yield the right-of-way. Many of these collisions begin when a driver attempts to turn right but fails to look for pedestrian traffic first. In other accidents, a driver may attempt a left hand turn but focus only on oncoming vehicular traffic, failing to look for people walking in a crosswalk until it is too late. Yet other accidents are caused by a driver running a red light or a stop sign and placing his or her vehicle in the same path as a pedestrian.

When a collision with a vehicle leaves a pedestrian injured, that pedestrian may be entitled to legal relief through the use of a civil claim for damages. In these cases, the pedestrian who is hurt may be able to recover compensation to pay for medical and surgical expenses that have been incurred or will be incurred in the future as well as other losses, like lost wages and payment for pain and suffering. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who handles pedestrian accidents is a good way to learn about what legal options may be available after a collision occurs.

Yesterday afternoon, police in Chicago were called to respond to the scene of a collision between a pedestrian and a taxi cab on the city’s Near North Side. The crash happened near the 1400 block of North Clark Street sometime between 1:00 p.m. and 1:20 p.m. When they arrived, police were able to determine that the driver of the taxi ran a red light at an intersection and collided with a second vehicle. The force of that collision caused the taxi driver to lose control of the vehicle, which then collided with a woman walking in a crosswalk. The woman was thrown approximately 40 feet before being hit by the taxi a second time.

The pedestrian hit was a 66-year-old woman and she was seriously injured in the accident. Emergency authorities responded and transported the victim to an area hospital in serious to critical condition for treatment of her injuries. The driver of the cab was also injured in the accident and transported for medical care and has been cited in the accident for running a red light and striking a pedestrian.
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Many people in Chicago do not realize how many pedestrian-related car accidents occur in the city and across the nation every year. Pedestrian accidents may not be as visible as crashes involving multiple vehicles and they may not receive the same amount of attention in the media but that does not mean they are rare. In fact, in 2010 alone, nearly 3,000 pedestrians were involved in traffic accidents in Chicago alone, not to mention the thousands of other pedestrians who were injured across Illinois.

Many pedestrians who are hurt or sustain injuries in an accident turn to lawyers to help them understand their legal rights. In Chicago, a pedestrian who is involved in an accident due to the negligence of another, like a distracted driver or a motorist who fails to yield the right-of way, is entitled to seek relief for his or her damages. This can be accomplished through the use of a civil claim for damages and it can allow a pedestrian to recover for things like medical bills incurred and time missed from work. As the facts and circumstances surrounding each accident are unique, it is a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer regarding the details of your crash to learn about what legal options may be available to you.

Unfortunately, often in pedestrian accidents, the injuries sustained by the victim are too severe and the pedestrian loses his or her life. In those cases, no amount of money can adequately compensate a family for the damages they sustain though legal relief is still available to help ease the financial burden placed upon the victim’s loved ones.

Authorities in Aurora reported a fatal crash between a pedestrian and a passenger car in the western suburb early this morning. At this time, they believe that a 56-year-old woman was walking northbound on Randall Road when she was hit by a Ford Taurus, also traveling northbound in the area. The victim initially survived the accident and was transported by ambulance to an area hospital but succumbed to her injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead.

The area near Indian Trail Road and Sullivan Road was closed down for several hours while officials investigated following the 4:15 a.m. crash. The driver of the Ford remained at the scene and spoke with officials who do not suspect impairment by the driver as a factor at this time. No citation have been issued and the investigation continues.
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Pedestrians are at a very high risk for injuries regardless of the type of accident in which they are involved. Pedestrians usually have no protection surrounding themselves from others, in contrast to a passenger in a car who is surrounded by the car itself. This means that in the event a pedestrian is hit by a car, motorcycle, or even a bicycle, there is nothing to absorb any portion of the impact before it strikes the pedestrian’s body and nothing to cushion the pedestrian as he or she strikes the ground or other fixed object.

Though any type of pedestrian accident can and often is severe, pedestrians who are struck by buses almost always sustain serious injuries or even death in the worst cases. Although it is the obligation of all bus drivers to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, this doe not always happen, as heavy traffic, poor weather conditions, or even being distracted while driving may lead to a pedestrian collision. A personal injury lawyer can help you understand what factors led to an accident and whether negligence on the part of one or more persons contributed to the crash.

Unfortunately it appears that a bus struck a pedestrian early this morning on Chicago’s South Side. Emergency personnel were called to respond to the collision which took place in the 2000 block of East 103rd Street at approximately 8:00 a.m. At this time, authorities have confirmed that at least one woman was injured in the incident. She was walking on the street when she was hit by the bus. It is not yet clear whether the woman was in an intersection or whether she had the right-of-way at the time the collision occurred.

At least five ambulances responded to the crash, one of which transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment. It is not known how many people were on board the bus at the time of the impact and whether any of them were injured.

Police are still investigating the crash and the factors that led up to the incident, including whether negligence on the part of anyone involved contributed. They are also looking into whether today’s winter storm contributed and whether it may have required the woman to walk in the area in which she was struck.
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A driver has been sentenced to four years in prison for his role in an accident that claimed the life of a 44-year-old Chicago man. The driver, who has already spent about nine months behind bars, could be released after as little as two years, leaving some in the community upset that the sentence is too light.

Authorities say the driver was speeding as he drove eastbound on Devon Avenue last November. The victim, a well-known member of the Tibetan community in Chicago, was crossing the street in West Rogers Park with his brother-in-law as the driver approached. The driver reportedly swerved into the westbound lanes of traffic and struck both men, briefly stopping at the scene to see if the men were hurt. Witnesses say the defendant then fled the scene without calling for help or speaking to police.

The 44-year-old victim died as a result of his injuries and his brother-in-law was injured but survived. The extent of the brother-in-law’s injuries are not known but a family friend of the men say that the deceased victim left behind a wife and three young sons. The victim worked for the Cook County clerk’s office as well as holding the position of vice president of the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce board.

Police investigated the accident and eventually identified the driver. The 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with reckless homicide and failure to report an accident. Officials report that the defendant pleaded guilty to both charges and received a four year prison sentence in response. Police have stated that the defendant did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the accident and apparently had never held a valid license previously. It is not clear whether the defendant also faced charges related to driving without a license but his sentence was not based on any related charges.

While the criminal case facing the driver in this accident may be settled, the implications from his actions may not be. In the case of a pedestrian who is killed through the reckless or negligent actions of a driver, Illinois law allows for the possibility of a civil recovery by the victim’s surviving family members. Here, the 44-year-old man’s surviving family, his wife and children, may be entitled to bring a monetary claim for their losses against the defendant driver who caused the accident. A civil claim of this type seeks compensation for any medical bills incurred before a victim passed away, the wages the victim will be unable to earn for his family due to his death, and the loss of companionship and parental guidance suffered by his family.

The other pedestrian that sustained injuries in this accident also has the possibility of a civil claim for his losses. Though he survived, he was injured and reportedly needed medical treatment. He is therefore entitled to a recovery for his losses and for any expenses he was forced to incur.
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An 11-year-old girl was attempting to cross the street in her neighborhood when she was hit and killed by a car on Saturday afternoon. The accident took place in the 15200 block of Wood Street in suburban Harvey shortly after 2:00 p.m. and was just one block away from the girl’s home.

The area of the crash is residential with two lanes of traffic in each direction along Wood Street. A school is in the area and there is a reduced speed zone surrounding the school along with several visible signs indicating pedestrian crossings. At least one intersection has a designated pedestrian crosswalk for those who want to cross from one side of Wood to the other. At this point in time, it is not clear exactly where the girl was walking at the time of the crash.

A 29-year-old woman driving a Chrysler Accord was traveling on Wood Street when she came upon and struck the victim. Police and paramedics arrived at the scene and performed emergency treatment on the girl but due to severe injuries, she died and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

The driver of the car has been cited with failing to reduce her speed to avoid a collision, driving on an expired driver’s license, and driving without insurance. All of these charges are in violation of Illinois laws. The charge of driving without insurance becomes a more significant charge when an accident is involved that leaves someone injured or killed.

In Illinois, all drivers are required to carry insurance for any accidents they cause, commonly known as liability insurance. The state minimum liability insurance limits is currently $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident, meaning that in the case of an accident involving death where the driver carried the bare minimum insurance, there will only be up to $20,000 in compensation to a victim’s family. Many drivers recognize that this low amount is not enough to protect their interests and others and therefore drivers may, and often do, choose to have more than the minimum insurance.

In cases where a negligent driver does not have insurance in violation of Illinois law or carries too little to properly cover damages, the law provides another avenue for recovery so that a victim can be adequately compensated. By going through a victim’s own insurance policy, there may be an uninsured or underinsured claim available to provide a victim or a victim’s family with additional funds.
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