In 2022, 28 pedestrians were involved in a car accident, with one person dying as a result of their injuries. [1] Victims of pedestrian accidents deserve compensation for their physical injuries and emotional distress – and they deserve top-notch legal representation.
If you or a family member is the victim of negligent driving, reach out to our Joliet pedestrian accident lawyers at (888) 424-5757 or through our online form for a free consultation. We’ll use our years of experience within the Illinois legal system to pursue compensation from the parties responsible, ensuring you have the funds you need to heal.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Joliet Pedestrian Accident Case
Pedestrian accidents can be complicated, and the responsible insurance company will do everything they can to avoid providing you fair compensation. Working with a Joliet pedestrian accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers gives you the best chance possible at substantial compensation, as we’ll be able to gather evidence and perform a thorough investigation that accounts for every relevant factor.
We’ll negotiate with insurance companies using all evidence available from the accident, ensuring they cannot evade their responsibility to victims. If there’s inadequate insurance coverage or a settlement cannot be reached, we can represent you in court and skillfully apply all relevant personal injury laws, gaining you a fair settlement that defrays the cost of medical expenses and lost wages.
The Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents occur due to a variety of reasons, many of which are due to driver negligence. A Joliet car accident attorney from our team can review the various factors contributing to the severity of accidents involving pedestrians, like the following.
- Speeding – The speed limit on Joliet streets ranges from 25 mph to 50 mph [2], but drivers regularly ignore these limitations. High speeds impede the driver’s ability to stop fast enough for pedestrians, often resulting in severe harm to victims.
- Impaired Driving – Of the 3,251 accidents that took place in Joliet in 2022 [3], 58 of the responsible parties were under the influence [4], whether because of alcohol consumption or drug use. Drunk driving often results in catastrophic injury to pedestrians due to high speed.
- Distracted Driving – Approximately 3.9% of all crashes are the direct result of distracted driving, including the use of cell phones [5]. It only takes looking away from the road for a few seconds to lose control of motor vehicles, resulting in tragedy for pedestrians.
- Aggressive Driving – Road rage is a major concern on America’s streets: someone is injured, shot, or killed every 16 hours nationwide due to aggressive behavior on the road [6].
- Ignoring Traffic Signals – Many accidents occur due to drivers ignoring traffic laws and attempting to turn in front of pedestrians crossing the street, despite the fact that pedestrians usually have right-of-way in marked crosswalks.
- Weather Conditions – Poor visibility is common in Joliet, which has only 186 sunny days per year [7]. While most crashes happen on clear days, approximately 539 of all accidents in 2022 were on days with inclement weather [1].
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accidents often result in severe injuries, as the human body has little protection against a car. This can even result in permanent disability depending on the speed and weight of the vehicle. Some common injuries include:
- Lacerations and Contusions – Flying debris or scraping the ground can lead to bruises and cuts.
- Broken Bones – A pedestrian that is struck may fall and try to brace themselves, or they may strike the hood of the vehicle, leading to facial bone fractures.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Pedestrians who are struck and dragged may suffer spinal damage, which can result in paralysis.
- Internal Bleeding – A severe accident may cause internal hemorrhaging due to the force of the collision, including ruptured organs.
- Head Injuries – Concussions and even traumatic brain injuries are common outcomes of pedestrian accidents.
- Amputations – If a limb has been crushed under the car, it may have to be amputated.
- Death – Sadly, in high-speed accidents, pedestrians may die from their injuries, either at the scene or shortly afterward.
Damages a Joliet Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help You Recover
A Joliet pedestrian accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will always pursue maximum compensation from the insurance company or the at-fault party, including economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages can include:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning potential
- Out-of-pocket expenses for home and hospital visits
- Property damage
We will also seek compensation for the physical, social, and emotional impact of pedestrian accidents, called non-economic damages. This includes:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience
- Loss of companionship
In the case of a fatal pedestrian accident, our Joliet wrongful death attorneys will seek compensation for burial expenses, medical attention prior to death, loss of companionship, and emotional damage. A judge may also award punitive damages in cases of gross disregard for human life.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Joliet, IL
It’s crucial for victims to act quickly after a pedestrian accident to ensure their physical safety, protect their rights, and have the best chances at compensation. Follow these steps as soon as possible after you’ve been in an accident.
Call the Police
Always call the Joliet Police Department so you can get a police report started, as this gives proof of the accident. Stay at the scene until they arrive.
Gather Contact Information
Get the names and numbers of everyone who was at the scene, including bystanders and motor vehicle passengers.
Document the Scene
Take pictures of the crash and your injuries. Having immediate proof of a pedestrian accident establishes your injuries were caused by the accident. You should also document your injuries throughout the recovery process.
Go to the Hospital
You need to ensure you were not seriously injured and obtain documentation of any injuries you suffered. Ask for copies of your medical records, which you can then provide to your lawyer.
Don’t Admit Fault
In pedestrian accidents, the insurance company or the driver will try to claim you were to blame. Do not speak to any third parties without your lawyer, and never say that you were responsible.
Secure Legal Representation
Calling a lawyer handling cases involving Joliet pedestrian accidents is crucial to the success of your claim.
Liability for Joliet Pedestrian Accidents
A variety of parties may be held liable under Illinois law, including:
- Drivers – The individual who hit you is most likely to be held responsible.
- Other Drivers – If other motorists did not stop and caused a pileup, they may also be accountable.
- Companies – If the driver was using a company car, their employer can be held liable through vicarious liability.
- Vehicle Manufacturers – In some cases, a product defect caused the accident. The car or car part manufacturer may therefore share some of the responsibility.
Proving Negligence in Pedestrian Accident Cases
Our Joliet personal injury attorneys use various types of evidence to prove the four factors of negligence: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Under Illinois law, these are defined as the following.
- Duty of Care – The responsible individual or organization has a duty to act responsibly, such as yielding to pedestrians and not driving under the influence.
- Breach of Duty – The defendant failed to meet their duty of care to pedestrians.
- Causation – The responsible party’s breach of duty is the cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.
- Damages – The plaintiff suffered financial losses due to the accident, whether medical bills or time off work.
How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Injury Claim Worth?
There is no go-to settlement amount for pedestrian accidents. During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss the factors influencing your potential compensation, which include:
- Severity of injuries
- The percentage of liability of each party
- The economic impact, such as medical costs and lost wages
- Total cost of property damage
- Amount of insurance available
Illinois does not have a settlement cap for personal injury cases, and our attorneys will always seek the maximum amount of compensation available based on the particulars of the case.
We have been able to earn millions of dollars on behalf of our clients, such as a $7,000,000 settlement for a pedestrian who was struck by a company car.
The Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accident Claims in Joliet
The statute of limitations refers to the time period you have for filing a lawsuit. For pedestrian accidents, as with other personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is 2 years. This is why it’s crucial that you start working with a lawyer immediately, as we will seek to settle with the relevant insurer before we file a suit.
Contact Our Joliet Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today!
Pedestrians who suffer due to a negligent driver deserve skillful and affordable legal counsel. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we deduct our attorney fees from your settlement, and you owe us nothing unless we are able to win your case.
For an initial consultation, contact us at (888) 424-5757 or request a consultation online. We look forward to helping you seek justice for the actions of irresponsible drivers.
Resources: [1] Illinois Department of Transportation, [2] American Legal Publishing, [3] Illinois Department of Transportation, [4] Safe Roads USA, [5] Illinois Highway Safety Plan, [6] Salon, [7] Best Places