Waukegan Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Crosswalks, sidewalks, and parking lots are intended to be safe areas for pedestrians. Unfortunately, however, distracted, reckless, or drunk drivers can cause serious injuries to an innocent person walking through a parking lot, crossing a street, or jogging along a road.
Children are especially vulnerable while playing in their neighborhoods, crossing streets in a school zone, or even walking off of their school bus.
If you were hit by a motor vehicle, you may have a legal right to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and time off from work. A Waukegan pedestrian accident lawyer can help prove that the driver was negligent and fight for fair compensation. Contact an experienced injury attorney today to begin your case.
Pedestrian Accident Prevalence
Illinois drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, stop for school buses, and drive slowly in residential areas, as well as parking lots and school zones. Despite these laws to protect pedestrians, the Illinois Department of Transportation reports that 4,401 Illinois pedestrians were injured, and 127 pedestrians were killed, by motor vehicles in 2014.
Even though only 1.6% of all of Illinois’s 2014 car crashes involved pedestrians, pedestrian fatalities made up 13.6% of all car crash fatalities in that year. Additionally, young children and the elderly have the most at risk of death in a pedestrian accident.
Since pedestrian accidents can lead to serious injuries or death, and often involve children, teens, and older people; quickly consult a knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorney in Waukegan who can advocate for those impacted by pedestrian accidents.
Typical Injuries
If injuries are not fatal, they are often serious and life-threatening. When a vehicle strikes a person, even at a relatively low rate of speed, the pedestrian may suffer from broken bones, head trauma, lacerations, or dental injuries.
The most common types of injuries in pedestrian accidents often involve the lower body, but injuries also commonly affect the hands, elbows, back, and head.
A pedestrian hit or run over can suffer from injuries like:
- Limb amputations
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Torn ligaments
- Fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Nerve damage
Seek medical help after a pedestrian accident; even if people think they have no injuries. Adrenaline and shock can prevent individuals from feeling pain at first. Symptoms may not present for several hours—or even days—after the accident.
Determining Accident Compensation
In Illinois, people may receive compensation for economic or noneconomic damages after suffering an injury caused by the negligence of another.
Economic damages include medical bills, lost income, and rehabilitation costs; while noneconomic damages consist of pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of quality of life. The value of a case depends on the severity of the injuries and the circumstances of the accident.
Working with a Waukegan Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
As the injured party, you must prove that the driver was at fault for your accident. Unfortunately, this can be a difficult task in some cases. Fortunately, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Waukegan can investigate your case, gather important evidence and witness statements, and work with car crash experts to prove that the driver is liable. To have your questions answered and to begin building your case, contact a dedicated Waukegan pedestrian accident attorney today.