Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries and fatalities
With social distancing measures remaining in place, more pedestrians than ever have been heading outdoors to enjoy the weather while it lasts. As a result, motorists need to also exercise more caution while driving, as pedestrians are often out at all hours walking, running, or biking around local neighborhoods. Most people know that when a pedestrian and a driver operating a vehicle are sharing the road, pedestrians get right of way. However, when drivers are negligent or purposely don’t yield to pedestrians and cause serious injuries or even death, they can be held accountable for their actions through a Chicago car accident lawsuit.
In a recent news report, a man was hit and killed by a semi-trailer truck at an intersection. The driver of the truck was at a red light when the pedestrian was walking between vehicles in the roadway. The truck proceeded through the intersection but was waved down by multiple witnesses who told the driver that the pedestrian was hit by the rear passenger-side tires of his vehicle. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene and the truck driver was ticketed for a failure to yield. According to local authorities, the investigation is ongoing.
In Illinois, there are several different types of failure to yield offenses for which a driver can be ticketed. Some of these offenses include failure to yield to an emergency vehicle such as police, fire, or ambulance, or failure to yield to a stoplight or stop sign. Although many of these offenses are considered non-criminal offenses, all of them can put others at serious risk.
Pedestrians have the right-of-way
Most Illinois drivers know that pedestrians have right of way, but there are certain nuances to that general rule. For example, Illinois law specifically requires drivers to yield to pedestrians whenever there are stop signs or flashing red signals at an intersection. The law also requires drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing roadways within a crosswalk or when the individual is already halfway through the roadway on either side.
Following an accident or loss involving a negligent driver or a failure to yield, filing a claim may be the last thing on an accident victim’s mind. The process of putting together the details of a lawsuit may feel overwhelming or too complicated. For this reason, accident victims should get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney who can advocate on their behalf while they work on the road to recovery. An experienced lawyer can navigate the details of the legal system and relevant laws to help accident victims effectively pursue a claim for compensation.
Contact an Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a Chicago pedestrian accident, contact Abels & Annes, P.C. The dedicated attorneys at our firm have represented countless personal injury victims, successfully advocating on their behalf to help get them the compensation they need and deserve. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with one of our dedicated personal injury lawyers, call today at 312-924-7575.