Chicago, IL Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Dedicated Lawyers for Bike Riders and Pedestrians Injured by Negligent Drivers in Chicago, Illinois

On Chicago's streets, people use multiple forms of transportation, from cars and buses to walking or riding bicycles. This can create situations where pedestrians or bicyclists may be placed at risk by negligent drivers. Unlike people in vehicles who are protected by seat belts, airbags, and metal frames, pedestrians and bicyclists have no barriers between their bodies and the force of a collision. When a driver strikes someone who is walking or riding a bicycle, the results can be catastrophic.

At Gallagher & Kosner Law, we provide representation for pedestrians and bicyclists who have suffered injuries due to driver negligence. Our legal team understands the severe injuries that can occur in these situations, and we will work to ensure that drivers are held responsible for causing harm to our clients. We can work with medical professionals to document the extent of a person's injuries, and we will take steps to obtain full compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Driver Negligence That Can Endanger Pedestrians

Drivers are required to use caution when driving near pedestrians and take steps to protect the safety of people who are walking on or near the road. Unfortunately, drivers do not always follow the rules, and they may engage in multiple types of unsafe actions that can put the safety of pedestrians at risk. Pedestrian accidents may occur due to:

• Failure to Yield at Crosswalks: Pedestrians have the right-of-way when they are crossing the street. Drivers who do not take care to avoid pedestrians in crosswalks can cause serious injuries. A driver may roll through an intersection without stopping or accelerate after a traffic light changes without checking to make sure the crosswalk is clear. This may lead them to strike and injure a pedestrian.
• Distracted Driving: Issues such as texting, making phone calls, looking up directions on navigation systems, adjusting radios or other controls, or eating and drinking may prevent drivers from seeing pedestrians until it is too late. A driver who is scrolling through messages while stopped at a traffic light may move forward when the light changes without noticing a pedestrian who is crossing the street.
• Speeding: When drivers violate speed limits, they will have less time to react to pedestrians. If a driver is speeding through a residential area, they may be unable to stop when a child runs into the road to retrieve a ball.
• Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drug impairment can slow a driver's reaction time, impair their judgment, affect their bodily coordination, and reduce their awareness of their surroundings. Intoxicated drivers may fail to stop at red lights, drive onto sidewalks where pedestrians are walking, or take other unsafe actions that could lead to pedestrian accidents.
• Failure to Check Blind Spots: Large vehicles, including trucks and SUVs, have blind spots where drivers may be unable to see pedestrians. While in a tall vehicle, a driver may not notice a pedestrian walking in front of them. When backing out of a parking space or driveway, a person may strike a pedestrian who is walking behind their vehicle.

Locations Where Pedestrian Accidents Can Occur

Pedestrians face risks in multiple areas throughout Chicago and the surrounding areas. Drivers may strike pedestrians at intersections throughout the city, and the risks of accidents may increase during rush hours. Complex intersections in the Loop and other commercial districts can be confusing for both drivers and pedestrians, especially when multiple streets converge or when road construction limits the areas where pedestrians can walk safely.

School zones can be dangerous during drop-off and pickup times. Even though reduced speed limits apply in these zones, drivers may not slow down when required, or they may pass school buses illegally, endangering children or other pedestrians.

Pedestrian accidents can take place in parking lots at shopping centers, grocery stores, and restaurants when drivers do not look out for people who are walking to their vehicles. Bus stops and transit stations may also be dangerous, since pedestrians may step into traffic unexpectedly or cross streets outside of designated crosswalks.

Residential neighborhoods can be dangerous for pedestrians, particularly in areas with street parking or limited lighting. People may step between parked cars or walk along streets that do not have sidewalks. If an area has insufficient lighting, drivers may find it harder to see pedestrians, which could lead to accidents at night.

Safety Issues Affecting Bicyclists in Chicago

While some roads in Chicago and other surrounding cities feature protected bike lanes, bicycle accidents may still occur when drivers do not share the road safely. Drivers may not notice bicycles that are traveling alongside them in lanes of traffic, and they could cause bicycle accidents when changing lanes, turning, or merging. Some drivers may engage in aggressive or dangerous actions, such as passing too closely to bicycles, which can lead to injuries when a bicycle is struck or forced off the road.

"Dooring" can occur when drivers or passengers in parked vehicles open their doors into bike lanes without checking for approaching cyclists. A bicyclist who is traveling along a bike lane may not have time to react when a car door opens suddenly, and they may be knocked off their bicycle and thrown into the street.

Devastating Injuries in Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

The human body cannot withstand the forces generated when it is struck by a vehicle traveling at typical city speeds. Pedestrians and bicyclists can suffer injuries that will often require extended hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and lengthy rehabilitation.

Traumatic brain injuries occur frequently in these accidents, even when victims wear helmets. The impact of striking the pavement or a vehicle's hood can cause concussions and other forms of brain trauma. These injuries may result in cognitive deficits, memory problems, personality changes, and other ongoing issues that may prevent a person from returning to work or living independently.

Spinal cord damage can leave a victim with paraplegia or quadriplegia, fundamentally altering every aspect of their life. The costs of wheelchairs, home modifications, adaptive equipment, and medical care can add up to millions of dollars over a person's lifetime.

Broken bones throughout the body can occur in pedestrian and bicycle accidents. Femur fractures, pelvic fractures, or broken arms, wrists, collarbones, and ribs will require medical treatment. Some fractures may be severe enough to prevent a victim from working during their recovery. Surgery may be required, with metal plates, rods, or screws being used to stabilize bones.

Internal injuries, including organ damage and internal bleeding, can threaten the life of a person who is struck by a vehicle. The blunt force trauma of a collision can lead to lacerated organs, internal hemorrhaging, and other issues that may be life-threatening medical emergencies.

Amputations may occur when a person's limbs suffer severe damage. The loss of an arm or leg will lead to permanent disability. A victim may require prosthetics or other mobility devices, and extensive rehabilitation will be required. The psychological impact of an amputation can also be significant, affecting a person throughout their life.

Contact Our Chicago, IL Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

When a negligent driver has struck you while you were walking or riding a bicycle, you deserve to receive compensation for your losses. The lawyers at Gallagher & Kosner Law have the knowledge, experience, and dedication needed to hold a driver accountable, and we will fight for your rights and make sure you will be able to move forward as you recover from your injuries. Contact our Chicago pedestrian and bike accident attorneys at 312-910-5050 to set up your free consultation today.