When you are injured while walking or running in Aurora, contact an Illinois pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss filing a claim. While traveling on foot is often a great way to get around and enjoy the Riverwalk, it comes with significant risks. Getting hit by a vehicle while on foot could permanently alter every part of your life.
Negligent or distracted drivers frequently cause accidents with runners or walkers. Drivers have a legal duty to watch out for and yield to pedestrians, and their failure to do so may put people at risk of serious or even fatal injuries.
Our Aurora pedestrian accident lawyers at Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could help you hold the driver liable for your injuries through a civil lawsuit. A successful claim could reimburse you for medical care, lost income, or other accident-related expenses. Ask our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys about your legal options after a negligent driver strikes you with their vehicle.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are always at risk of being hit by a car. Drivers must always watch out for people running or walking, give them the right of way, and remain diligent.
Many distracted drivers also cause pedestrian collisions. Looking away from the road for a moment can have serious consequences for pedestrians. Some of the common causes of accidents with pedestrians include:
- Driver fatigue
- Failure to yield
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving, such as texting while driving
- Illegal U-turns or running stop signs or red lights
Other factors, such as poor visibility, increase the likelihood of a driver hitting someone walking or jogging. Bad weather conditions or dark roads also make it difficult to see someone on the road. Therefore, anyone running or walking at night should be cautious and wear bright-colored clothing when possible.
While the vehicle driver is often at fault in these accidents, a pedestrian’s failure to follow traffic laws or use sidewalks is just as likely to cause a wreck. When the cause of a pedestrian crash is not immediately clear, an Aurora attorney could help determine what happened and who is liable.
Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident
When someone is injured while crossing the street, working on a roadway, or running or walking, they are entitled to financial compensation for their injuries. Proving fault in these cases depends on the circumstances of the crash. In most cases, the pedestrian has the right of way, meaning drivers must yield to them. When the driver does not yield or is otherwise negligent, they are at fault.
Damages are based on the losses the injured person suffered in the accident. A personal injury lawsuit could reimburse the cost of past and future medical care, lost income, and other quantifiable losses from the accident. The injured person can also seek compensation for their noneconomic losses like pain and suffering, emotional trauma, or loss of enjoyment if the accident impacted their day-to-day life.
Illinois applies a modified comparative approach to negligence cases, meaning that when pedestrians are less than fifty percent responsible for their own injuries, they can recover damages. However, if the court determines the injured person is more than fifty percent at fault, they cannot recover compensation for their injuries. A hardworking lawyer in Aurora could investigate the on-foot crash and collect evidence proving the driver was entirely responsible for the accident.
Speak With a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Aurora
When you are hurt in an on-foot collision, contact a personal injury attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options for compensation. Our Aurora pedestrian accident lawyers have represented countless people in negotiations with insurance companies and succeeded in getting them the compensation they deserve.
When a driver is negligent and injures you while walking or jogging, they should be held responsible. Do not hesitate to contact our legal team members when you have questions about injuries you sustained in a pedestrian wreck.