Top 4 Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Cook County

 Posted on March 17, 2022 in Personal Injury

It should come as no surprise that a lot of pedestrian accidents happen in busy downtown areas. In places like downtown Chicago, there are about as many people walking around the streets as there are people driving. Parking downtown can be difficult to find - not to mention expensive. While we have fairly good public transit, it can take a long time to get where you are going and you may still have to walk. It is no wonder that a lot of people prefer to just walk when possible. During our harsh winters, there are not as many pedestrians out and about. Now that spring is coming and bringing more pleasant weather, we can expect to see more people walking around downtown. Sadly, we are also likely to see an increase in pedestrian accidents. 

If you are involved in a pedestrian accident, it is important to get in contact with an attorney as soon as possible. Quick action can increase the odds of recovering compensation.

What Types of Driver Misconduct Cause Pedestrian Accidents?

Drivers have a duty to keep an eye out for pedestrians in order to share the streets with them safely. However, some drivers are so focused on other cars that pedestrians are not even on their radar. Common careless driver behaviors that can cause them to strike a pedestrian include:

• Failure to yield - Drivers are not always aware of the road rules governing when pedestrians have the right of way. If pedestrians have a “walk” light at a crosswalk, it is their turn. Some drivers think that they can quickly go ahead and get through while avoiding pedestrians. This endangers pedestrians who are already in the crosswalk legally. 
• Speeding - Pedestrians are harder to spot from a distance. Cities are full of tight turns and frequent lights. Speed limits downtown are low for a reason. When a driver is going too fast, they may not be able to spot a pedestrian in time to stop and avoid hitting them. 
• Left turns - Drivers trying to make unprotected left turns are often looking out for vehicle traffic they may need to dodge. While looking at oncoming traffic, drivers may not notice a person crossing the street on foot. 
• Drunk driving - Drunk or drugged drivers are not nearly as aware of their surroundings as they should be, nor are they as in control of their vehicle as they think. Intoxicated drivers are famous for winding up anywhere but on the road. Pedestrians on the sidewalk are not safe from intoxicated drivers. 

If you are hit by a car, it is important to seek immediate medical attention, even if you think you are relatively unhurt. This kind of startling event can release a flood of adrenaline that can keep you from feeling the effects of an injury. 

Call a Cook County Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Barrington Injury Attorneys is committed to helping pedestrians who were involved in a car accident. Our experienced Barrington pedestrian accident lawyers will help identify where the driver who hurt you went wrong so we can fight to recover compensation for you. Call 224-900-HURT for a free consultation. 

Source:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety