Pedestrian Accidents in Illinois

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

Even while taking safety precautions as a pedestrian, it is still possible to get hit by a car or truck. In the United States, there were just under 6,000 pedestrian deaths in 2017. Although this was a decrease from the years prior, it is estimated that a pedestrian died every 88 minutes as a result of a pedestrian accident in the same year. Many more have been injured as a result of getting hit by a car. A pedestrian has little outward protection from a vehicle hitting them on the road. Head trauma, broken bones, or spinal damage are possible injuries a pedestrian can face. When faced with an auto-pedestrian accident, it is important to know your rights.

Getting hit by a car can be a traumatic experience. After a pedestrian accident, it is important to make your safety a priority. If possible, remove yourself from immediate danger such as in the middle of the road. If your injuries are too severe, try to get assistance in order to move or have a safety warning until authorities arrive. Once safe, call 911 to report the accident. This will alert the police to come to the scene of the accident to begin an accident report. Statements will be taken from yourself and the driver. If you are able, take photographs of the scene, including your injuries. The more information you can gather, the more it can help your case when filing an insurance claim.

Illinois is a fault state when it comes to insurance claims. This means that the party that is responsible for causing the accident pays damages. This can also be relative to a pedestrian accident. For example, if the accident was 90% of the driver's fault, then you will be entitled to 90% of the compensation relative to the damages. It all depends on who was following the law and who was not. If a pedestrian was crossing safely at a crosswalk and a car pummels through a red light, the driver would be considered at fault. However, if a pedestrian crosses in an undesignated area and is hit by a car, the pedestrian may be held in some way responsible. Whether a driver or pedestrian was considered negligent may also affect insurance payouts.

Contact an Illinois Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Getting hit by a car can be a life-altering experience that impacts your ability to work or perform normal tasks. If a driver was negligent and you got injured, as a result, contact an experienced Orland Park pedestrian accident attorney today if the insurance companies are not paying what you deserve.

Sources:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety

https://www.after-car-accidents.com/illinois-fault-state.html