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For many of us, getting to where we need to go involves crossing the street at some point. While government entities put protections in place to make these crossings safe, they do not prevent every incident. Unfortunately, cars sometimes strike pedestrians, often resulting in major injuries and even fatalities. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney is the best person to call in that instance.
If you suffered harm in such a crash, a Cook County pedestrian accident lawyer might be able to help you recoup some compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial losses.
Drivers can easily hit pedestrians if they are not driving reasonably and cautiously. For example, when motorists speed, they do not have the time to react to avoid an emergency. Speeding drivers can also lose control of their cars, which could cause them to drive off the road and onto a sidewalk or driveway. Similarly, when motorists drive under the influence, they lack the physical and mental capacity to respond appropriately. They can lose control of their car, such as by accidentally hitting the gas pedal instead of the brakes.
Motorists who are texting behind the wheel might miss seeing a child dart in front of their car. Overly aggressive drivers who make unsafe lane changes are also are at increased risk of hitting pedestrians, such as when they try to pass joggers along the side of the road.
These accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, so it is not unusual for seriously injured pedestrians to have no idea what actually happened or whether the driver holds liability. Fortunately, Cook County attorneys have a proven record of helping pedestrians get to the bottom of their accident. They could apply their experience to skillfully examine the evidence from the crash scene, such as the police reports, eyewitness records, and traffic camera footage. The more experienced that a lawyer is with pedestrian crashes, the likelier it is that they know what to look for and how to obtain evidence to secure damages.
Pedestrian accidents can occur just about anywhere, but there are a few situations where they have a higher frequency of happening.
For example, many accidents occur at intersections when motorists drive through red lights and stop signs, or at crosswalks when drivers do not stop to allow people to cross the road.
Parking lots are often dangerous to pedestrians due to the presence of so many people and cars that can interfere with a driver’s ability to see.
Schools and playgrounds are also high-likelihood areas for pedestrians. Kids often dart into the street, sometimes chasing after a ball, so drivers need to be particularly cautious in areas with lots of children.
Some panicked drivers make a bad situation even worse by fleeing from the scene after striking a pedestrian. A dedicated team of pedestrian crash attorneys in Cook County could work with local authorities to identify hit and run drivers.
When cars hit people who are walking or jogging nearby, the resulting harm can leave devastating effects. People have nothing to shield themselves from the impact of a multi-ton vehicle. That is why it is critical to reach out to a Cook County pedestrian accident lawyer to get you the financial relief that you need. A satisfactory resolution of your legal claim could get you the money you need to pay for the necessary treatments. Get in touch today.