Springfield, Illinois Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Attorneys for Injuries in Hit-By-Car Accidents in Sangamon County, Champaign County, and Macon County

Drivers of cars, trucks, or other motor vehicles are required to share the road with others. They should always drive safely and make sure they are acting in a way that protects the safety of everyone around them, including those in other vehicles and people who are on foot. Unfortunately, drivers do not always follow these rules, and when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, they can suffer severe injuries or wrongful death. If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you will want to work with a personal injury lawyer to learn how you can hold a negligent driver responsible and receive financial compensation for your injuries.

With more than 40 years of experience representing injury victims, the law firm of Kanoski Bresney can provide the legal help you need if you have been injured as a pedestrian. We have obtained over $400 million for our clients, and we will work closely with you to make sure you receive the financial payments you deserve. We are dedicated to treating our clients with respect, providing them with a quick and effective response, and helping them obtain results that will meet their needs.

How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Central Illinois?

In recent years, public safety campaigns have highlighted the dangers that pedestrians face when they are struck by motor vehicles. Drivers have been encouraged to pay close attention to all of the vehicles and people they share the road with, yield to pedestrians who are crossing the road, and take steps to ensure that people on foot are safe. Despite these efforts, the number of accidents involving pedestrians has not decreased. On average, more than 4,500 pedestrians are injured in car accidents every year, and around 150 people are killed.

While the majority of pedestrian accidents in Illinois occur upstate, central Illinois sees its fair share of injuries and fatalities. Because these types of accidents are more likely to occur in larger cities where more people travel on foot, the areas surrounding Springfield, Champaign, Decatur, Bloomington, and Peoria usually see dozens of pedestrian accidents and injuries each year.

Who Is at Fault for Pedestrian Accidents?

In many cases, a driver who strikes a pedestrian will be found to be negligent, since they did not take the proper care to protect the safety of those who are on foot. Distracted driving is one of the most common forms of negligence that can lead to pedestrian injuries. When drivers look at cell phones or other devices while driving or take their eyes off the road for other reasons, they may not notice a person who is crossing the road, or they may stray out of their lane and strike a person who is using a sidewalk or walking by the side of the road.

Drunk driving is another dangerous form of driver negligence, since drugs or alcohol can impair a driver's ability to control their vehicle and react in time to avoid hitting a person on foot. Drivers who violate traffic laws can also put pedestrians at risk. Speeding can cause a driver to be unable to slow down or stop in time to avoid a pedestrian, and failing to give pedestrians the right of way or running stop signs or red lights can result in a driver striking a pedestrian who is legally crossing the street at an intersection.

In some cases, a city or municipality may be responsible for pedestrian accidents if it did not provide safe sidewalks or ensure that pedestrians were able to walk safely. The proper crosswalks or crossing signals should be provided in areas where pedestrians will be crossing the road, and safe speed limits should be set to ensure that those who are on foot will be safe. Hazards on sidewalks should be repaired or warnings about these hazards should be provided, and pedestrians should be provided with safe ways to walk in construction areas. A person injured in a pedestrian accident may be able to hold a government organization liable for its failure to address these issues.

Even if a pedestrian was partially responsible for an accident, they may still be able to receive compensation for their injuries. Under the comparative negligence laws in Illinois, a person can pursue compensation if they were 50% at fault for an accident or less. For example, a pedestrian who was looking at a cell phone while crossing the road may not have noticed that a vehicle was approaching the intersection. If the driver was also acting negligently, such as by speeding, the driver and the pedestrian may share the blame for the accident. If it is determined that both parties share equal responsibility, the pedestrian may be able to receive payments from the driver, but the amount of the damages they can receive will be reduced by half.

What Are Some Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?

Motor vehicles weigh thousands of pounds, and even if they are traveling at relatively low speeds, they can cause a great deal of damage to a person's body in a collision. In addition to being injured by the impact of a car or truck, a person can suffer additional injuries when they strike the ground or other vehicles. The injuries a pedestrian may suffer include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spine injuries and paralysis
• Bone fractures and amputations
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Severe scarring and disfigurement
• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Severe sprains and dislocated joints

In many cases, emergency medical treatment will be needed for these injuries, and surgery or hospitalization may be required. Even after a person recovers from their immediate injuries, they will likely need ongoing physical therapy to be able to return to their previous level of mobility and activity, and they may suffer permanent disabilities. The costs of all of these treatments can be overwhelming, especially if a victim cannot work while they are recovering or if their ability to earn an income is permanently affected. In addition to everything else, a victim can experience a great deal of emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

How Can a Bloomington Pedestrian Accident Attorney Help With My Case?

After being injured in a pedestrian accident, you will probably want to focus on your recovery, which is why you need a lawyer who can help you take the right steps to make sure you will be repaid for your injuries. At Kanoski Bresney, we will investigate your accident and show that the driver who hit you was at fault, and we will make sure you can be fully compensated for all of the damages you have suffered. We will obtain all of the evidence needed in your case, including police reports, 911 call recordings, footage from security or traffic cameras, phone records, statements from witnesses, testimony from medical experts, and reconstructions of the scene of the accident. We will also make sure all relevant medical records and other information are compiled to demonstrate all of the ways your injury has affected you and your family.

In addition to helping you pursue a personal injury lawsuit against any and all parties who are responsible for your injuries, we can also speak to insurance companies to ensure that you receive the coverage you need. Insurance companies will be looking to pay out as little as possible, but we can negotiate a settlement that will fully address all of your expenses and allow you to recover from your injuries.

Our attorneys will give you the legal help you need, and we will fight to make sure your family is made whole. To set up a free consultation and learn more about how we can help with your case, contact our office at 888-U-COUNT-2 or 888-826-8682. We work with clients throughout Illinois, including Decatur, Champaign County, Schuyler County, Peoria, Peoria County, Tazewell County, Quincy, Rushville, McLean County, Adams County, Springfield, Bloomington, McDonough County, Macon County, Champaign, Sangamon County, and Pekin.