Joliet Pedestrian Accidents

Why Choose Midwest Injury Lawyers for Your Joliet Pedestrian Accident Case?

At Midwest Injury Lawyers, we help injured people in Joliet, Illinois, secure justice from those who hurt them. Our approach is straightforward: we treat you and your case with the respect and attention you deserve.

Representation You Can Trust

Choosing us means partnering with a Joliet pedestrian accident lawyer who prioritizes you. We pride ourselves on our honesty – we’ll tell you your prospects and whether we can help you.

Comprehensive Assistance

Don’t let fear of medical expenses deter you from seeking the care you need. We can help you treat your injuries, even if you lack health insurance or the financial means to pay for it. We’ll negotiate medical liens so that you get the care you need now and won’t have to pay for it until you receive your settlement.

Your Recovery, Our Focus

Recovering from an accident is challenging enough without the added stress of insurance negotiations. We take on this burden for you, allowing you to concentrate solely on healing. Trust us to fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries and unexpected expenses.

No Fees Unless We Win

Our contingency fee structure means you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you. We can take on your case with no up-front or out-of-pocket fees, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank to hire the quality representation you deserve.

Experienced Legal Advocacy

Our founders, Chester “Chet” L. Cameron Jr. and Samuel “Sam” R. Carl, bring decades of experience to bear on every case they take on. We have consistently recovered substantial compensation for our clients, putting tens of millions of dollars back into our client’s bank accounts.

Our attorneys have ranked among the top 5 percent of lawyers nationwide, a testament to our dedication and skill.

How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Injury Claim Worth?

It depends. Your pedestrian accident injury claim can demand compensation for all the financial costs and personal harm you suffered due to the accident. This includes money for your medical bills, income losses, and pain and suffering. 

However, the amount you might receive for each type of loss will vary depending on:

• The extent and severity of your injuries
• The cost of current and future medical treatment
• How your injuries affect your quality of life
• How much income and earning capacity you’ve lost
• Whether you suffer permanent disability or disfigurement
• The amount of insurance coverage available
• The liability and degree of fault of each party
• Your age and health before the accident
• The presence of any pre-existing medical conditions
• The location and circumstances of the accident
• The at-fault motorists’s driving history and conduct during the accident
• How long it takes you to recover from your injuries
• Whether you need rehabilitation or long-term care
• The amount of work or school you miss
• The availability and quality of evidence

Why Are Pedestrian Accidents So Dangerous?

Collisions with motor vehicles put pedestrians at significant risk of severe injury or death, for several reasons. Unlike vehicle occupants, pedestrians have no physical barriers to protect them in the event of a collision.

The human body is highly vulnerable to the force of a vehicle impact, which can result in devastating physical injuries. Vehicles, even when moving at low speeds, can cause severe harm to pedestrians due to the significant difference in mass and speed.

The injuries pedestrians suffer as a result can range from broken bones and lacerations to more severe wounds such as head trauma, spinal injuries, or internal bleeding.

These injuries can lead to long-term disabilities, chronic pain, and the need for extensive medical treatment. The recovery process is often long and sometimes requires surgery, rehabilitation, and other medical interventions.

Furthermore, pedestrian accidents often occur in urban areas where vehicles and pedestrians are in close proximity. Factors such as distracted driving, failure to yield, and speeding increase the danger to pedestrians.

Crosswalks, intersections, and parking lots are common sites for these accidents. Pedestrians are also more vulnerable at night or in bad weather when visibility is poor. Drivers in these conditions often do not see nearby pedestrians, which increases the risk of accidents.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents often result from a combination of factors, including driver behaviors and environmental conditions. Understanding these common causes can provide the context you need to present a clear and convincing injury claim.

Here are some typical causes of pedestrian accidents in Joliet:

• Distracted Driving: A driver who doesn’t have their full attention on the road can easily overlook a nearby pedestrian. Common driver distractions include texting, talking on the phone, using navigation systems, or any other activities that take the driver’s focus away from driving.
• Speeding: Higher vehicle speeds reduce the driver’s ability to stop in time upon spotting a pedestrian. Collisions at higher speeds are also more likely to result in severe injuries or fatalities for pedestrians.
• Failure to Yield: Drivers who do not yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks are often to blame for accidents. They are likely to make this mistake when they are in a hurry or misjudge a pedestrian’s distance or speed.
• Alcohol Impairment: Driver impairment due to alcohol consumption is another prevalent factor in pedestrian accidents. Intoxication affects judgment, reaction time, and motor skills, increasing the risk of collisions.
• Ignoring Traffic Signals: Drivers who disregard traffic signals or signs might collide with pedestrians who have the right of way, such as at crosswalks and intersections.
• Poor Visibility: Accidents are more common in poor visibility conditions, such as at night, during bad weather, or in areas without adequate lighting. Drivers might not see pedestrians, and pedestrians might not see oncoming vehicles until it is too late.
• Left-hand Turns: Drivers making left-hand turns might be looking for openings in traffic rather than watching for pedestrians. As a result, pedestrians crossing where vehicles are turning left are at greater risk of injury.
• Backing-Up Accidents: Vehicles can strike pedestrians while drivers are backing up, particularly in parking lots or driveways, where drivers might not have a clear view of their surroundings.

Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Pedestrian accidents lead to injuries that can range from surface wounds that heal over time to profound traumas that require long-term medical care or result in permanent disabilities.

Here are some common injuries that arise due to pedestrian accidents:

• Abrasions (scrapes)
• Lacerations (cuts)
• Contusions (bruises)
• Concussions
• Sprains
• Strains
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Rib fractures
• Skull fractures
• Facial injuries
• Dental injuries
• Eye injuries
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Nerve damage
• Torn ligaments
• Crush injuries
• Amputations
• Burn injuries
• Road rash
• Psychological trauma
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Joliet Pedestrian Accident

Filing an insurance claim after a pedestrian accident in Illinois is a complex task because insurance companies often try to pay as little as possible. They used tested strategies to minimize or deny payouts.

For example, they might claim that you were to blame for the accident or that your injuries aren’t as bad as you say.

One common trick is to offer quick settlements that tempt victims with an early payday.

Rest assured, an initial offer is almost always much lower than what your claim is truly worth. The insurer hopes you’re desperate enough for financial security to sign away your rights before you even know what they are.

Another tactic is to get you talking on the record so that you inadvertently say something they can use to reduce your bargaining position. They might trick you into saying you’re sorry, which could suggest you were at fault, or into deviating from your earlier story, which they can use to call your reliability into question.

These ploys – and their effectiveness – are why legal representation matters. A lawyer can deal with the insurance company for you. Joliet pedestrian accident lawyers know all the insurance company’s tricks and how to fight them. They can gather evidence to show how the accident happened and how it has affected you.

Our lawyers can also negotiate with insurance companies to get a fair settlement. If the insurance company won’t offer what your claim is worth, we can take the case to court.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident?

If you suffer injuries in a pedestrian accident in Joliet, taking the right steps can help you recover and protect your legal rights.

If possible, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your belongings. This visual evidence is often powerful in an accident claim. Next, seek medical attention promptly, even if you think you’re not badly hurt. Some injuries take time to show symptoms, and medical records are essential proof that you suffered them.

Follow your doctor’s advice for treatment and rest. Your health is the top priority, and showing a commitment to your recovery can also strengthen your claim. Remember, taking these steps not only supports your physical recovery but also lays the groundwork for protecting your rights and getting fair compensation.

Keep all your receipts and records of any expenses you incur due to the accident. These include medical bills, medication costs, and receipts for any help you’ve had to hire, like home care or transportation services.

Finally, do not talk to the other party’s insurance company or sign anything without a lawyer. They might try to get you to say or sign things that could hurt your claim. Instead, contact a pedestrian accident attorney from Midwest Injury Lawyers. They can advise you of your rights and the best course of action at each stage of your case, working hard to maximize your payout.

How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Joliet Can Help

Having a Joliet pedestrian accident lawyer by your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.

A lawyer can work relentlessly to build your case and work toward the compensation you deserve by:

• Investigating the accident to identify useful evidence for your claim
• Preparing claim documents accurately and filing them on your behalf
• Gathering medical records and bills that relate to your injuries
• Consulting medical experts to understand the full extent of your injuries
• Interviewing witnesses who were present at the time of the accident
• Coordinating with accident reconstruction specialists when necessary
• Working with economic experts to estimate long-term financial losses
• Communicating with insurance companies to negotiate a fair settlement
• Representing you in court if the insurance company won’t play fair
• Presenting evidence and testimony to support your claim in court

Contact a Joliet Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer Today

Hit by a driver in Joliet? Don’t go through the aftermath alone. Contact Midwest Injury Lawyers today at (815) 714-6131 for the guidance and support you need.

Your initial consultation with our Joliet pedestrian accident lawyers is always free, with zero obligation.

Joliet Office

210 N Hammes Ave
Unit 205 C
Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 714-6131