Many people living in and around Lake County choose to walk outside to get to work, to run errands, or simply for pleasure. However, any time that you step outside of your home, you place yourself at the mercy of other people. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the case of motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians. All pedestrians who are injured due to the negligence of motorists have the right to demand compensation. This compensation is designed to pay the pedestrian’s medical bills, reimburse them for any lost wages, and provide payments for any pain and suffering endured in the accident. A Lake County pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to help with this process.
Should you elect to hire one, a dedicated injury attorney could be committed to working with you to demonstrate defendant negligence and pursue the compensation needed to make you whole again.
How a Pedestrian Could Prove Driver Negligence
All motorists assume a duty to protect all other people that they may come across while behind the wheel. This duty extends not just to other drivers, but also covers pedestrians as well. As any seasoned pedestrian accident attorneys in Lake County could confirm, this duty is absolute and cannot be waived or otherwise avoided.
In addition, all accidents in Illinois are someone’s fault. Whenever two vehicles come together, or a vehicle strikes a person, one party is to blame. Contrary to popular belief, though, a motorist is not always at fault for a pedestrian accident. Even if the injured walker was in a crosswalk and used a walk signal, actions taken by that pedestrian may have rendered the collision inevitable.
Common factors examined in pedestrian accident cases include:
- The time of day
- The weather
- The speed of the driver
- If the walker entered the roadway from between parked cars
- If the pedestrian was wearing reflective clothing
However, proving that the defendant driver was at fault is only part of the battle. Potential plaintiffs must also be aware that there is a limited amount of time to file a personal injury case in Illinois. A concept of law known as the statute of limitations controls when a court will entertain a case. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, plaintiffs must file their cases within two years of the date of the accident to have any hope of collecting compensation.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accident Cases
All pedestrian accident cases—and indeed, all personal injury cases—must be centered on a physical harm. While plaintiffs in these cases can certainly make demands for any lost wages or mental anguish, they must have a documented physical injury for the case to go forward.
These physical injuries tend to be severe in situations involving pedestrian accidents. At even low speeds, collisions with cars can knock a person walking on a sidewalk into the street. Faster speeds may lead to that pedestrian being thrown over the top of the defendant’s car or into oncoming traffic.
Because of this, injuries in these cases can be extensive and may include:
- Deep cuts and scrapes
- Separated joints
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
- Broken bones
Any physical injury is sufficient to start a claim. A Lake County pedestrian accident attorney could help an injured plaintiff determine the full value of their claim and pursue at-fault defendants and their insurance companies for every dollar to which they may be entitled.
Let a Lake County Pedestrian Accident Attorney Help
Pedestrian accidents can have a life-changing effect on an injured plaintiff. They may be lucky to avoid any permanent injury that can result from these accidents. In addition, they may miss significant time at work and be suffering from intense mental anguish.
A Lake County pedestrian accident lawyer could help you hold negligent drivers responsible for their actions. They could work on your behalf to gather vital evidence, apply that evidence to Illinois laws, and engage in settlement negotiations from a position of strength. Schedule an appointment to begin discussing legal options that may apply to your case.
