Why Do Chicago Pedestrian Accident Victims Need an Attorney?
Pedestrian accident lawsuits involve many moving parts. The path to a rightful settlement is full of legal obstacles and challenges, including:
Properly Attributing Liability
Fault in Chicago pedestrian accidents can be multi-sided – from driver negligence and pedestrian actions to road conditions and more. At Midwest Injury Lawyers, we examine these incidents from all angles to ensure the at-fault party(s) are held accountable.
Fighting for Fair Compensation
Insurance companies have many tricks and tactics to minimize payouts to pedestrian accident victims. We take an aggressive approach in negotiations to maximize your settlement and recoup every expense you are owed for your damages.
Navigating the Legal Framework of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accident cases are influenced by several factors, including traffic laws, local ordinances, duty of care, and pedestrian rights. Our goal in each claim is to sort through these factors and use them to your advantage in earning justice.
Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago: By the Numbers
There are an average of around 150 fatalities each year from pedestrian accidents in Illinois.
More than half of pedestrian accidents in Illinois happen at night.
Pedestrians over the age of 65 are most likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident.
The average injury rate of pedestrian accidents in Illinois is around 80 percent.
Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago
Distracted
Driving
Speeding
Failing to Yield
Right of Way
Driving Under
the Influence
Poor Road
Conditions
Ignoring Traffic
Signals
Left-Hand
Turns
Backing-Up
Accidents
Running
Red Lights
The Quietness of
Electrical Vehicles
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Let’s discuss your pedestrian accident in Chicago, Indiana, or Wisconsin.
Type of Pedestrian Accident Injury Cases We Manage
Pedestrian accidents in Chicago can take many different forms. We handle cases across the board, including (but not limited to):
Crosswalk Accidents
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Parking Lot Accidents
School Zone Accidents
Sidewalk Accidents
Driveway Back-over Accidents
Bus and Large Vehicle Accidents:
Accidents at Non-Crosswalk Locations
Electric Scooter and Bicycle Collisions
Vehicle Door Accidents
Train and Subway Accidents
Falling Debris Accidents
Poorly Maintained Sidewalks and Roadways
Compensation to Pursue in a Pedestrian Accident Case in Chicago
Our approach in every pedestrian accident lawsuit is to leave nothing on the table – and make sure you get compensated for every damage you suffered. These include:
Economic Damages
- Medical Bills
- Future Medical Treatment
- Legal Expenses
- Property Damage
- Lost Earnings
- Loss of Earning Potential
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering
- Mental Anguish
- Physical Impairment
- Reduced Quality of Life
- Loss of Companionship
- Disfigurement
- Worsening of Prior Injuries
- Distress
- Loss of Consortium
How We Manage Pedestrian Accident Cases in Chicago
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Initial Consultation
Our free consultations are about understanding the major details of your pedestrian accident. This involves your account of what happened, the potential culprit(s), and the damages you are facing. The purpose of this consultation is to determine if we have a valid personal injury claim to pursue.
1 -
Analyze the Accident
Building your claim for a pedestrian accident settlement starts by examining every detail about what happened. We’ll look over the official report, medical experts, witness statements, and more to piece together an accurate account of the incident.
2 -
Organize ALL Evidence & Draft the Demand Letter
Once we have all the information we need for your claim, we will create the demand letter for the at-fault party’s insurance company. This will implicate liability and specify the settlement amount we’ll pursue.
3 -
Negotiate Your Settlement
Insurance companies commonly deny demand letters and provide counter-offers – which is usually lower than the necessary amount. We’ll manage the negotiation process to make sure all your damages are adequately covered.
4 -
Represent You in Court (If Needed)
If we cannot come to a fair agreement with the at-fault party’s insurance company, we may recommend taking your Chicago pedestrian accident case to court. Our experienced attorneys will represent you and fight for a fair resolution.
5
Key Information About Pedestrian Accident Law in Chicago
Right of Way
Drivers in Illinois must yield to pedestrians at marked crosswalks - and failure to do so may be grounds for an injury claim.
Statute of Limitations
Pedestrians in Illinois have two years to file an injury claim from the date of the accident.
Comparative Negligence
Illinois law allows pedestrians to file an injury claim if they are less than 50% at fault for the accident.
Our Mindset in Chicago Pedestrian Accident Cases
Respect
We understand your accident is tough on you and your family. No attorney can guarantee results in personal injury law, but we CAN guarantee our staff will treat you with compassion and empathy throughout the entire process.
No Compromises in a Fair Settlement
When you’re facing high medical bills, lost wages, and reduced quality of life, you shouldn’t have to deal with financial hardships. Our goal is to factor everything into your settlement demand, leaving nothing on the table.
Communication is Key
Questions are inevitable in personal injury cases. Our lines of communication are always open to answer your concerns – and we will do our best to respond within 24-48 hours or less.
You Pay Nothing to Hire Us
Our pedestrian accident law firm in Chicago works on a contingency fee agreement. We don’t demand any costs from you upfront or out-of-pocket to take your case – and you pay nothing unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
The statute of limitations in Illinois for filing a pedestrian accident injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. We recommend not waiting this long to do so. The longer you wait to file a claim, the more difficult it will be to earn a fair settlement – and you may end up paying for your own medical bills and other damages.
If you were the victim of a pedestrian accident, get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney immediately to discuss the next step.
There are generally two different types of damages to pursue compensation for in a pedestrian accident: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages involve more tangible expenses, medical like lost wages, and the cost of future medical care.
Non-economic damages are more subjective, covering pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. In some cases, if the at-fault party was excessively reckless, you may pursue punitive damages. These are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future.
Fault in a pedestrian accident in Illinois is typically determined through the comparative negligence rule. This rule is designed to analyze and quantify the degree of fault of each party involved in the accident. If you (as the pedestrian) are found to be less than 50% at fault for the accident, you may still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Yes. Per the comparative negligence system – if your share of the fault does not exceed 50%, you can recover damages, though the amount will be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault.
Evidence in pedestrian accident claims can be very extensive – and every case is different. This generally includes the police/accident report, witness statements, surveillance footage capturing the accident, medical records documenting your injuries and the treatment received; photographs of the accident scene, and any documentation of lost wages or other financial losses stemming from the accident.
When you work with a pedestrian accident attorney, they will help you gather every last piece of evidence to prove liability and pursue compensation for all damages.
Start the Process of Pursuing Rightful Compensation
Call 312-786-5881 or request a FREE consultation online with a Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer.
Request a Free Consultation
Tell our experienced team about your accident and/or injuries. One of our personal injury attorneys will contact you to schedule a free case evaluation. Remember: you won’t pay for anything unless we secure a compensation on your behalf.
Call (312) 786-5881 or send us a message online to get started.