Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
Pedestrians are at a very high risk for injuries regardless of the type of accident in which they are involved. Pedestrians usually have no protection surrounding themselves from others, in contrast to a passenger in a car who is surrounded by the car itself. This means that in the event a pedestrian is hit by a car, motorcycle, or even a bicycle, there is nothing to absorb any portion of the impact before it strikes the pedestrian’s body and nothing to cushion the pedestrian as he or she strikes the ground or other fixed object.
Though any type of pedestrian accident can and often is severe, pedestrians who are struck by buses almost always sustain serious injuries or even death in the worst cases. Although it is the obligation of all bus drivers to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, this doe not always happen, as heavy traffic, poor weather conditions, or even being distracted while driving may lead to a pedestrian collision. A personal injury lawyer can help you understand what factors led to an accident and whether negligence on the part of one or more persons contributed to the crash.
Unfortunately it appears that a bus struck a pedestrian early this morning on Chicago’s South Side. Emergency personnel were called to respond to the collision which took place in the 2000 block of East 103rd Street at approximately 8:00 a.m. At this time, authorities have confirmed that at least one woman was injured in the incident. She was walking on the street when she was hit by the bus. It is not yet clear whether the woman was in an intersection or whether she had the right-of-way at the time the collision occurred.
At least five ambulances responded to the crash, one of which transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment. It is not known how many people were on board the bus at the time of the impact and whether any of them were injured.
Police are still investigating the crash and the factors that led up to the incident, including whether negligence on the part of anyone involved contributed. They are also looking into whether today’s winter storm contributed and whether it may have required the woman to walk in the area in which she was struck.
If negligence on the part of one or more drivers leads to a pedestrian accident, the laws in Chicago allow the victim of that crash, or the victim’s surviving family members, to pursue a claim for their damages resulting from the incident. In many cases, these claims can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. As each accident is different, it is important to understand the legal rights and options following your crash, and speaking with a lawyer may help with that understanding.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we focus our entire practice on the representation of accident victims who have been harmed by others. We offer a free case consultation to all victims who call us at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we provide the consultation without any obligation on your part. If you prefer to meet with us in person but you are too injured to travel to our offices, we offer a free in-home or in-hospital consultation for injury victims in need. If you have been involved in an accident, do not let yourself continue to be victimized. Call us today and let us help you get the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Father May Have Been Drunk Behind the Wheel in Crash that Killed Daughter, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published December 27, 2013.
Resource:
At least one hurt in bus accident on South Side, Chicago Tribune, published January 6, 2014.