You may be surprised to learn that nearly 20 percent of all car accidents in the country occur in parking lots, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Many of these accidents occur at low speeds and fortunately do not leave victims seriously injured; however, some crashes are more severe, especially those that involve pedestrians. When an adult or a child is walking through a parking lot and is hit by a car, common injuries can range from broken bones and bruises to injuries to a head or neck or even to death.
When children are involved in car accidents, parents may be confused and troubled about their options to help their child recover. The laws in Illinois and in Chicago enable victims of any age to obtain financial relief for their losses but when the victim is under the age of 18, different options may be available. Parents may have their own claim in addition to the claims of their injured child and relief may be possible to cover expenses including medical bills. But children are also entitled to additional payment to ensure they are compensated for nonmonetary damages like pain and suffering and emotional distress. Speaking with a personal injury attorney in Chicago may help you understand whether your family is entitled to relief, and if so, who may be held legally liable for the harm.
On Saturday afternoon, a 14-year-old girl was walking through a parking lot in the South Austin neighborhood of Chicago when she was struck by an SUV. The incident happened in the 4800 block of West Jackson Boulevard shortly before 4:00 p.m. and prompted a response from local police, who have launched an investigation. Authorities believe the girl may have been bending over or crouching, possibly to tie a shoe, when an SUV approached and collided with the teen. The 45-year-old driver of the SUV was questioned by police and was issued multiple citations for his role in the accident, which left the girl in critical condition.
Emergency crews transported the teen by ambulance to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries.
Accidents involving minors and teens are complicated for many reasons. Often, the full extent of the damages sustained are not known immediately because of the shock done to the child or because a child’s damages may take time to reveal themselves. In some cases, parents may believe that a kid is scared but uninjured when time will later show broken bones, head injuries, or even internal bleeding.
For these reasons and others, laws in Chicago enable children to bring claims for their losses without as strict of a statute of limitations faced by adults. This means that in some cases, kids can have valid claims long after an accident occurs and the dust settles. Speaking with an experienced injury lawyer may help you understand whether this situation applies to you or your child.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we have assisted numerous families as they sought relief following a car accident or another incident where a child was injured, and if your family has been affected similarly, we want to help you as well. We offer a free case consultation without obligation to those who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we have a lawyer standing by at all hours of the day and night to help you.
If you have questions or you are seeking relief, call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us fight for you, your child, or your loved one so that your family can recover and move forward following a collision.
Prior Blog Entry:
Fatal St. Charles Crash involved Driver on Heroin, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published December 11, 2014.
Resource:
Girl, 14, critically injured after being hit by SUV on West Side, by Alexandra Chechkevitch, Chicago Tribune, published December 14, 2014.