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Chicago Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Knowledgeable representation after a bicycle or pedestrian accident in Illinois
Chicago is a great city for walking. Whether it’s the lakefront neighborhoods, the downtown cultural districts, the restaurants, the schools, or just walking to work, pedestrians can be seen across Chicago on any given day. The city is an attractive place to walk for residents and tourists.
The one common denominator for every pedestrian is that if they walk where they should, every walker has the right to be safe from speeding cars, cars trying to run yellow and red lights, drunk drivers, and drivers who are distracted. At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers have been strong advocates for personal injury victims for more than 25 years. We represent pedestrians who suffer catastrophic or permanent injuries. We also represent families when a driver tragically kills your loved one who was just taking a stroll, exercising, or walking to their destination.
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How can we help?
- Our record of success for injured pedestrians in Chicago
- Why do pedestrian accidents occur in Chicago?
- What injuries do pedestrian accidents cause in Chicago?
- How much is my pedestrian accident claim worth?
- How can drivers in Chicago prevent pedestrian accidents?
- What steps should pedestrians take to protect themselves?
- Do you have a pedestrian accident lawyer near me?
Our record of success for injured pedestrians in Chicago
Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers has obtained numerous awards on behalf of injured pedestrians in Chicago. Some of those cases include:
- $1,000,000 for a 48-year-old man whose foot was run over by a CTA bus.
- $250,000 for a 25-year-old female who suffered multiple fractures after being hit by a drunk driver.
- $105,000 for a 48-year-old female who was struck by a driver in a crosswalk.
- Four other pedestrian accident cases for $100,000 – the policy limits.
Why do pedestrian accidents occur in Chicago?
At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers are skilled at showing how your accident happened and why it was preventable. Some of the common causes of pedestrian accidents are:
- The driver failed to yield to a pedestrian who was crossing at an intersection
- The driver was distracted because he/she was texting, talking on a cell phone, or not looking where he/she was going for any other reason
- The driver was speeding or violating an Illinois traffic law
- The driver was intoxicated or driving while impaired by drugs
- The driver failed to use caution in bad weather or due to poor visibility
- The driver was driving too fast for weather conditions
- The driver was not aware of the speed limit in residential neighborhoods
- The driver failed to fully stop before picking up a passenger
Drivers of cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles should never strike a pedestrian. Drivers should know when they’re in a residential neighborhood that there will be children nearby. Drivers should anticipate that when they reach an intersection. Illinois drivers must yield to pedestrians who are crossing at a crosswalk. Drivers should be aware of pedestrians near schools, in parking lots, scenic areas, and other places.
Pedestrians may be partially responsible in Chicago if they jaywalk (don’t cross at the intersection. Generally, young children are presumed to be incapable of negligence which means drivers need to be extra cautious when children are nearby.
What injuries do pedestrian accidents cause in Chicago?
Pedestrians include walkers, runners, joggers, hikers, and anyone who might use a highway without a car or bicycle. Most Chicago pedestrian accidents cause severe harm or death because a human is no match for the weight, speed, and mass of any type of vehicle.
At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, our Chicago personal injury lawyers handle all types of injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spine injuries, including paralysis
- Traumatic amputation/Loss of limb
- Burn injuries
- Crush injuries including organ damage
- Bone fractures
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Nerve, muscle, ligament, or muscle damage
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Loss of vision or hearing
How much is my pedestrian accident claim worth?
Our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers work with your doctors and our own network of doctors (when necessary), your employers, and everyone who has information about your health and well-being to show the full extent of your injuries.
We demand compensation from all responsible parties. In addition to the driver, the liable parties may include: the owner of the vehicle, an employer, a tavern that sold alcohol to a minor or someone who was visibly intoxicated, a manufacturer of a defective auto part, or even a state transportation agency.
Pedestrians in Chicago can claim compensation for all their current and future:
- Medical expenses including ER care, hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitation care, psychological harm, assistive devices, and medication
- Income loss and loss of benefits
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of function of a body part
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium (marital enjoyment)
We also represent families in wrongful death actions if your loved one was killed by a driver while your loved one was walking. These damages include the funeral and burial costs; the emotional suffering of the family members; the loss of financial support; the loss of the guidance, support, and love your loved one would have provided; and the value of any services your loved one would have performed during his/her lifetime.
How can drivers in Chicago prevent pedestrian accidents?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that 7,388 pedestrians were killed nationwide in 2021. In Illinois, 133 pedestrians have been killed in 2023 through September 22, 2023.
Some of the precautions that all drivers should take, according to the NHTSA, to avoid striking a pedestrian include:
- Watch for pedestrians everywhere, always.
- Be extra careful at nighttime and when bad weather or other conditions affect visibility.
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Stop well before reaching the crosswalk to provide an extra level of safety and to help other vehicles see the pedestrians who are crossing.
- Never drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Never pass other vehicles who are stopped at a crosswalk because the other vehicles will block your view of the pedestrian.
- Obey the speed limit, especially in residential neighborhoods and in school zones.
- Be particularly careful when backing up into a street.
What steps should pedestrians take to protect themselves?
The NHTSA also recommends that pedestrians:
- Obey traffic signs and signals. Obey the rules of the road.
- Whenever possible, walk on the sidewalk.
- Stay as far from traffic as possible if there is no sidewalk. Walk facing traffic.
- Cross the roads at intersections and crosswalks. Be sure to look for cars in all directions, including cars that may be turning.
- If there is no crosswalk or intersection, walk where you can see the traffic and walk where it’s well-lit. Be sure you can continue to watch traffic as you cross the road.
- Be careful in parking lots and around driveways.
- Don’t drink or use drugs when you walk.
Walkers and anyone who uses an e-scooter should also wear bright clothing so they can be more visible when walking or using their e-scooter at night.
Keep in mind that while walking is healthy, safety is required.
Do you have a pedestrian accident lawyer near me?
Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers meets injured pedestrians and families at our office located at 77 W Washington Street, Suite 1215, right in downtown Chicago. There are two bus stops right near us if you use public transportation. Our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers schedule video conferences by appointment. We also meet injured pedestrians at a hospital or another healthcare facility if necessary.
We’ll answer all your questions and help you understand each step of the claims process.
Speak with an experienced Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer now
If you have been injured by a negligent driver while walking or running, our experienced Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to help. We’ve helped numerous personal injury victims and families just like you. We work with the police, our investigators, and through the discovery process to show why the defendants should be held liable and with your medical team to obtain the compensation you deserve. We’re respected by former clients, the insurance industry, and defense lawyers alike for our strong record of success.
Call Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers today or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle pedestrian accident claims on a contingency fee basis.