Last month a man was killed as he was walking in the early morning near a disabled car at the Far Northwest Side near O’Hare Airport. The accident happened at approximately 1:35 in the morning on Saturday March 23, in the 5800 block of North Mannheim Road. Police believe that the young woman driving a PT Cruiser south on Mannheim may have been cut off by another vehicle suddenly, causing her to swerve the vehicle from left to right in order to prevent a collision. In doing so she struck a pedestrian and a parked Volvo which was disabled.
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, the victim of the crash, who remained unidentified by midday, was believed to be in his 40s and died shortly after the accident. Police believe he may have been the owner of the Volvo. The woman remained on the scene and was cooperative with police questioning.
The data regarding accidents occurring off of the roadway, such as this one, may surprise you. The startling numbers from 2009, for example, can be found on page 51, table 28 of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s publication entitled (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts 2009.
According to the document, the number of fatal accidents within the categories of “off of roadway” and “on the shoulder,” almost equal the amount of those that occur on the roadway: 2,497 (shoulder) + 10,114 (off roadway) compared with 16,906 (on roadway). Out of a total of 30,797 fatal crashes total, this means that accidents off the roadway and on the shoulder account for over 40% of fatal crashes overall.
Here are some general safety tips if your car becomes disabled:
- pull off of the roadway completely
- put on your hazard lights and pop your hood (the universal signal for distress)
- exit from the door opposite of the roadway
- if you remain in the vehicle, lock the doors, and keep your seat belt on until help arrives
Pedestrians must remain vigilant and be aware of their surroundings at all times in order to avoid becoming victim of an unexpected injury or untimely death. This is especially true in large metropolitan areas such as Chicago, where there are lots of cars on the road. Unfortunately, those traveling on foot run the risk of becoming the victim of a reckless, distracted, or otherwise negligent driver every time they step outside.
If you or a loved one was injured or died as a result of a Chicago traffic accident, contact the experienced pedestrian accident attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. today in order to discuss your claim. Our dedicated Chicago area pedestrian accident lawyers are available any time to answer any questions you may have. We can also help advise you regarding the steps you must take in order to file your personal injury or wrongful death claim, should you decide to proceed. Our dedicated attorneys have many years of experience advocating on behalf of clients who were hurt or lost a family member in a Chicago area traffic collision. To speak with a dedicated car accident attorney, you can reach us by calling (312) 475-9596 or by visiting our website.
More Blog Posts:
4 Chicago Area Teens Killed in Weather Related Crash, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published March 23, 2013
Man Killed After His Car Rammed Off of the Road onto I-57 in Washington Heights Neighborhood, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published March 21, 2013