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Chicago is a major American city, and its streets are often filled with both motorists and pedestrians. Unfortunately, this mix of vehicles and people on foot can have serious consequences, and many pedestrians are injured in motor vehicle crashes each year.
Understanding the common causes of pedestrian accidents in Chicago can provide both motorists and pedestrians with a deeper understanding of their own rights and responsibilities when sharing the road. If you have been injured in an accident, a pedestrian accident attorney could help you determine liability and pursue compensation.
The most common cause of accidents between pedestrians and drivers in Chicago is a lack of attention, but whose attention and responsible distractions can vary widely.
According to both state and municipal laws, drivers have a responsibility to yield to pedestrians on crosswalks when there are no traffic signals or traffic signals are inoperable. Failure to pay attention to one’s environment, including signage, can cause a serious accident.
Both drivers and pedestrians can become distracted by cell phones, food, or conversations with others. When on a roadway, these distractions can result in tragic collisions.
Drivers are more likely to fail to notice a pedestrian on a crosswalk when turning, as they are often more focused on avoiding other vehicles. This can lead to increased pedestrian accidents.
Just as drivers are responsible for yielding to pedestrians on crosswalks, both state and municipal laws prohibit pedestrians from crossing intersections except at designated crosswalks and when following all traffic signals. Failure to do so can cause a collision.
Vehicle-to-vehicle accidents are more likely when road conditions are poor, and similarly, pedestrian accidents increase under low visibility. Inadequate lighting at night, poorly marked crosswalks, and rainy or snowy conditions can put pedestrians at a greater risk of injury.
The influence of drugs or alcohol can be a major contributing factor to pedestrian accidents in Chicago. Both intoxicated drivers and pedestrians can experience reduced reaction times, impaired vision, and poor judgment, making an accident more likely.
Following a Chicago pedestrian accident, investigators will examine what laws were being followed or broken, the conditions surrounding an accident, and any other contributing factors.
The details of these findings could help establish liability in legal proceedings against either the driver or the pedestrian. Often, the pedestrian who has been injured can seek compensation for medical expenses and lost wages.
A skilled attorney could review the facts of a specific case and explain whether compensation will be available to the injured pedestrian.
If you have been harmed in a pedestrian accident, reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. The outcome of your case will depend on the specific circumstances surrounding your accident, and an experienced attorney could make sure the following investigation is thorough.
Reach out to McCready Law today to learn more about the common causes of pedestrian accidents in Chicago.