Wrongful Death - Pedestrian Accident

Most pedestrian wrongful death cases are caused by motor vehicles traveling at higher than safe speeds. Another factor contributing to pedestrian wrongful death cases is the volume of traffic. In Chicago where there are thousands of cabs on the streets, most of which are in pursuit of passengers or on their way to a destination, are a regular contributor to wrongful deaths and injuries to pedestrians.

Illinois law requires that motorists yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Yet there are many injuries and deaths caused by motor vehicles running over or hitting pedestrians in crosswalks. Some pedestrians are injured by bike messengers or bicyclists who run into a pedestrian crossing a street or even on a sidewalk.

Pedestrian wrongful death actions can result from not just cars and cabs, but also from trucks, buses, motorcycles, even bicycles have killed or injured pedestrians in the Chicago area. Whether or not a pedestrian is injured or killed on a sidewalk, crosswalk, or a street while waiting for transportation or a bus, each case must be thoroughly investigated. It is important that all parties to a pedestrian wrongful death action be held accountable. This may include not just the driver of the vehicle, but the owner or the agency that hired the driver.

There are many reports of pedestrian injuries and deaths that are associated with road construction or road design. In high traffic volume areas, placing crosswalks in an uncontrolled intersection is not necessarily a safe solution that always prevents harm to pedestrians.

Factors that contribute to the pedestrian deaths are the regulations of the Illinois Department of Transportation and local authorities that manage road maintenance, repairs and road and highway designs. It is vital to pedestrian safety that crosswalks and signs are made obvious for both motorists and pedestrians. Studies remarkably show that the addition of crosswalks in some places makes pedestrians too comfortable about crossing and may allow them to be careless when crossing a street or road.

Another common site of a pedestrian death is found at uncontrolled intersections. Those are the cross streets that have neither a stop sign or stop light for motor vehicles. Pedestrians may cross into oncoming traffic not realizing that the cars or trucks have no signal to stop. More and more streets around Evanston and Illinois generally, have pedestrian cross signs and crosswalks for cars and trucks to obey pedestrians wishing to cross the road or street.

At some intersections where there are no stop sign or stop lights, pedestrians will find a red flag in a container attached to a pole adjacent to the street and crosswalk where the person wishes to cross. When the red flag is in hand of the pedestrian, Illinois law requires motorists to stop and allow the pedestrians to pass. This is a safe way for pedestrians to cross uncontrolled streets. But since the law on pedestrian right-of-way is relatively new, many Illinois drivers remain unaware of this law change and simply do not recognize the pedestrian trying to cross. That can be very dangerous and has resulted in many pedestrian deaths.

Kreisman Law Offices represent victims of car accidents, truck and motorcycle accidents and pedestrians accidents. If you or a loved one has been wrongfully injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, contact the experienced lawyers at Chicago’s Kreisman Law Offices.

Robert Kreisman of Kreisman Law Offices has been handling Chicago and Illinois pedestrian wrongful death cases for more than 40 years. Kreisman Law Offices has prevailed in trials and settlements in Chicago, Illinois and surrounding communities and has successfully resolved cases for those injured or killed in pedestrian accident cases for these many years.

With our years of experience in trying and settling wrongful death cases, Kreisman Law Offices provides the best possible services to our clients and have achieved unsurpassed results. Our service is unmatched. Please call us 24 hours a day at 312.346.0045 or toll free 800.583.8002 for a free and immediate consultation, or complete a contact form online.

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“We were devastated when our 31 year-old son was killed by a negligent driver. Kreisman Law Offices did everything to help us through this very difficult time, including coming out to the house several times which was a comfort. My wife and I were extremely pleased with Mr. Kreisman’s compassion and care for this very tragic and troubling time.” C.B.
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