Being hit by a vehicle while walking or biking causes major life disruption. And too often, families struggle alone financially and with health burdens after accidents. But know your rights – Illinois law provides pathways to recover damages when negligent drivers cause harm.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury as a pedestrian in the Lincoln area, our firm will fight for maximum financial compensation. We offer a free, no-obligation case review to discuss your circumstances and needs.
With years of experience holding local drivers accountable for reckless actions, we know how to build strong legal claims. You can lean on our experience to ease uncertainty and stress. Call today – let’s explore practical options for securing what you rightly deserve.
Your Rights and Duties as a Pedestrian in Illinois
Illinois law establishes various rights and duties for pedestrians aimed at ensuring safety and clarifying fault when collisions occur.
Key provisions under the Illinois Vehicle Code include:
- Pedestrians must obey traffic signals and signage specifically applicable to walking unless directed otherwise by a police officer
- Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within crosswalks, either marked or unmarked when vehicles have a stop sign or red light
- Pedestrians cannot suddenly enter a crosswalk in a way that leaves drivers unable to yield
- Pedestrians should use designated tunnels and bridges when provided and should cross at intersections rather than between them
- Drivers must exercise care to avoid striking pedestrians, bicyclists, disabled people, children, and confused individuals
- Pedestrians with clear disabilities have right-of-way in roadways
Knowing pedestrian laws empowers safer walking and clarifies faults if collisions occur. Following signals, using crosswalks properly, and avoiding unpredictable movements help prevent mishaps. Drivers must also allow right-of-way when required and exercise reasonable care.
Building a Strong Pedestrian Accident Claim
To build a strong injury claim after being hit as a pedestrian, it is critical to have an experienced attorney on your side from the very beginning.
Our attorneys can help you with the following:
- Conducting thorough investigations – Our personal injury lawyers collect police reports, speak to witnesses, visit and photograph accident scenes, and more.
- Identifying all liable parties – Multiple factors often contribute to collisions, and all negligent parties should share the blame.
- Documenting the incident, injuries, and losses – Medical records, financial statements, and other evidence prove your plea for damages.
- Negotiating aggressively with insurance carriers – We fight for maximum compensation through settlements or in court if needed.
Do not try to handle personal injury claims alone. Our attorneys at Onward Injury Law have decades of experience securing fair pedestrian accident settlements. Call today for dedicated legal guidance focused on your best interests.
Why Choose Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers?
With years of combined experience handling Illinois pedestrian injury lawsuits, Onward Injury Law has the resources and experience to build strong claims.
Our Illinois personal injury attorneys are compassionate advocates, committed to the client’s physical recovery and financial security after accidents cause harm.
Some key reasons to choose our pedestrian accident law group in Lincoln and Bloomington include the following:
- Proven record of success with injury cases
- Local reputation as leaders in this field
- No legal fees unless we obtain compensation
- Million-dollar verdicts and settlements obtained
- We work on contingency agreements
Recovering Compensation After Pedestrian Accidents in Lincoln, Illinois
Being struck as a pedestrian leads to traumatic physical, emotional, and financial hardships. Between medical bills, lost income, and coping with injuries, the burdens seem endless. Far too often, drivers are not held accountable for endangering Lincoln’s walkers and cyclists.
Yet Illinois pedestrian accident law opens pathways toward rightful compensation when motorists operate negligently.
Injured persons may secure damages covering:
- Extensive hospital treatments with lengthy stays
- Ongoing medications, devices, and therapeutic care
- Reduced mobility impacting quality of life
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacities
- Pain and suffering damages reflecting trauma
The experienced pedestrian accident attorneys at Onward Injury Law help Lincoln individuals and families pursue maximum claims against drivers, insurance companies, and other liable parties.
Negligence Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents in Lincoln
There are a variety of factors that frequently contribute to collisions between vehicles and pedestrians in our community:
- Distracted driving – Drivers talking on the phone, texting, eating, or interacting with passengers often ignore pedestrians.
- Speeding vehicles – Vehicles traveling over posted speed limits endanger pedestrians and leave drivers unable to react quickly.
- Poor lighting – Insufficient lighting at crosswalks or along roads reduces visibility.
- Ignoring right-of-way – Drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks is a common cause.
Serious accidents can occur when drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians fail to exercise reasonable care. Reckless, negligent, and impaired motorists put pedestrians at risk every day in our community.
Devastating Effects of Pedestrian Accidents
Collisions between vehicles and pedestrians often result in catastrophic injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Road rash and disfigurement
In addition to severe physical trauma requiring extensive medical treatment, pedestrians must cope with psychological harm and financial strain from lost income and mounting medical bills.
In the worst cases, negligent motorists are responsible for the wrongful death of a pedestrian.
Contact Onward Injury Law After a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians injured by negligent motorists face physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial uncertainty. To protect their rights and ability to recover damages, we advise taking these key steps:
- Report the car accident to authorities and cooperate fully.
- Seek immediate medical evaluation and treatment.
- Photograph injuries, property damage, and accident scenes.
- Obtain contact information from witnesses.
Speak to an Onward Injury Law pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible about your potential case.
Don’t delay – statutes of limitations rules restrict eligible claims and lawsuit timeframes. Contact our law offices for a free consultation with an accomplished Illinois pedestrian accident lawyer.
We handle cases on contingency and only collect fees if we secure compensation for our clients. Take advantage of our combined experience – call today.
Frequently Asked Questions
A successful Illinois pedestrian accident claim may recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, reduced future earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, and, in some cases, punitive damages. While there’s no average settlement you may entitled to, an experienced attorney can help you determine a fair value for your claim.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s highly advisable to consult an experienced attorney. Illinois pedestrian accident lawyers build strong legal claims by thoroughly investigating liability, documenting damages, estimating case value, handling legal processes, and aggressively negotiating for fair compensation.
Under Illinois’ modified comparative negligence laws, you can still pursue compensation even if you share some fault. But your damages award would be reduced by your percentage of fault. A pedestrian injury attorney can help establish negligence on other parties to maximize recovery.