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The Illinois Department of Transportation highlighted the impact of pedestrian accidents, reporting that in 2015, there were 4,867 pedestrian injuries and 138 fatal accidents involving pedestrians.
Because pedestrians have far fewer protections than drivers, they are often exposed to more serious injuries in an accident inducing long-term pain, extended recovery time, and imposing significant financial burdens.
A Cicero pedestrian accident lawyer is committed to securing the most favorable outcome for pedestrians injured in Cicero. Given the severity of most pedestrian accidents, you want a personal injury lawyer with experience handling high-stake injury cases.
In 2011, the Chicago Department of Transportation engaged in a substantial review of pedestrian accidents to analyze the common causes in an effort to reduce pedestrian accidents. After analyzing thousands of accidents, the Chicago Department of Transportation concluded that the most common causes of pedestrian accidents were:
Pedestrian accidents are generally so severe because of the disparity in size and weight between a person and a vehicle. Because of this substantial difference, even an accident at a low speed can result in serious trauma. Some of the most common injuries include:
Not only do pedestrian accidents result in acute pain and trauma, but also these accidents often cause delayed onset injuries. It is not uncommon for a person to not realize the extent of their injuries for days or even weeks after an accident. Because it is not always immediately clear the extent of an injury from a pedestrian accident, it is imperative to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a pedestrian accident.
Drivers have a duty to “exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or any person operating a bicycle or other device propelled by human power and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any obviously confused, incapacitated, or intoxicated person.” 625 ILCS 5/Ch. 11. When they fail in this duty, the injured pedestrian may hold them liable.
A statute of limitations effectively limits how long a person has to file a personal injury lawsuit. The Illinois’ statute of limitations establishes that in “Actions for damages for an injury to the person, or for false imprisonment, or malicious prosecution, or for a statutory penalty, or for abduction, or for seduction, or for criminal conversation that may proceed pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 7.1 of the Criminal Conversation Abolition Act.” See 735 ILCS 5/13-202. In effect, this means that a pedestrian injured in an accident must file a complaint within two years from the date of an accident.
Following an injury, there are many factors which go into the ultimate outcome of a claim. A lawyer who is familiar with pedestrian accidents in Cicero is in the best position to advise an injured individual. There are many pitfalls and potential mistakes which can occur without proper counsel. For this reason, it is always beneficial to work with one.
There are many competent lawyers who handle pedestrian lawsuits. However, competence is only one aspect someone should consider when selecting legal counsel. The lawyer should also have a personality which is agreeable to the plaintiff because they will be interacting with the lawyer a lot during the course of the case. Likewise, it is important to examine the entire law firm to see if it is equipped to handle their case. Finding the right fit may take longer than expected.
Some accidents will require highly detailed accident reconstruction. A lawyer should be familiar with the concepts of accident reconstruction so that they can prove one driver was more at fault than the other. This means that gathering evidence early on is crucial for success.
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury as a pedestrian due to a careless and negligent driver, a Cicero pedestrian accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and can fight for your right to compensation for your injuries and losses. Call now.