Call Cook County Pedestrian Accident Lawyers after Your Wreck
On average, one pedestrian is killed roughly every two hours, and one is injured every seven minutes in traffic crashes in America, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nearly 5,000 pedestrians die in crashes each year, and tens of thousands more are injured. Given the severity of the injuries that occur with accidents of this nature, victims or their families will want to investigate all potential avenues of obtaining compensation for damages. Contacting local Cook County pedestrian accident lawyers would be a good place to start.
Pedestrian Accidents Cause Severe and Fatal Injuries
“The severity of the injuries is related to many factors, including vehicle speed, the angle of impact of the vehicle upon the pedestrian, the center of gravity of the pedestrian, the part of the body that first comes into contact with the vehicle, the part of the vehicle the pedestrian impacts first, and the vehicle design,” explain researchers in the California Journal of Emergency Medicine.
Some of the most common pedestrian injuries include the following.
- Life-threatening head injuries
- Trauma to the head, legs and pelvis
- Shinbone fractures and injuries to knee ligaments
- Internal organ damage and crushing injuries
Common pediatric pedestrian injuries differ somewhat from adult injuries. Because children are shorter, and the car strikes their body lower at a lower point, the most common injuries they sustain are head and neck injuries and various musculoskeletal injuries, C-spine dislocations, traumatic brain injuries, and chest and abdominal injuries.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are often injured or killed because someone isn’t paying attention or because of poorly designed roads. The majority of pedestrian accidents occur in rural areas at non-intersections, at night, according to the NHTSA. There are many factors that can contribute to an accident, including the following.
- Intoxication
- Failure to yield right-of-way
- Not crossing at a crosswalk
- Too few crosswalks
- Distractedness, such as talking on the phone or texting
- Poor lighting
- Wearing dark clothing at night instead of reflective clothing
- Speeding
- Unfamiliarity with the streets
- Congestion
- Drivers failing to look before making a turn
We can help you pursue compensation for your losses.
Our firm has been helping pedestrian accident victims for more than three decades. We have helped families through some of the most difficult times of their lives, successfully acquiring fairly large settlements for them.
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident because of a driver’s negligence, we can help. We can explain your options and help you file and prove an injury claim or lawsuit to recover damages. If your loved one was killed in an accident, you might be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek recovery.
Many victims or their families believe they will not qualify for reimbursement if the pedestrian was partly at fault for the accident. This isn’t true. The state of Illinois follows what’s referred to as the modified comparative fault rule. This rule provides that victims can recover damages in an accident as long as they are 50 percent or less at fault. If the pedestrian is found to be partly responsible for the accident, his or her settlement will be reduced by the degree of fault.
Free Legal Consultation with a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
To ensure you have the best chances of receiving the maximum amount of compensation possible for your accident, we encourage you to seek legal counsel before filing a claim.
If you’re looking for an accident lawyer, consider Buttafuoco & Associates as your choice firm. We offer a free consultation, as well as a contingency basis payment system. (This means we do not get paid unless we win your case.) Call us today at 1-800-NOW-HURT.
