Working with our pedestrian accident attorneys will help cover your medical bills and obtain a fair settlement.

Pedestrians Deserve Compensation After Being Injured in an Accident  

Pedestrians are at a high risk of getting injured while crossing a street or even while walking on a sidewalk. Without warning, a careless driver who doesn’t see them, or a reckless car that speeds out of control can hit them, causing terrible injuries. Often, it can take months or even years to fully heal, and some injuries are permanent.

Many pedestrian accident victims incur expensive medical bills and rehabilitation expenses. They cannot work after getting injured, and it becomes hard to pay off these expenses. If you’ve been hit by a car or truck while on foot, working with our Effingham pedestrian accident attorneys will help you get an adequate financial settlement. 

Determining Fault in a Pedestrian Accident

Most pedestrian accidents result because drivers do not pay attention while driving. Many experts believe that the use of mobile phones has made this problem worse. In some instances, drivers who are intoxicated behind the wheel have delayed reaction times and are not able to stop before hitting a person. In all of the above examples, the driver would be found at fault for a pedestrian accident.

Sometimes, drivers are not able to see pedestrians because the roads are not properly highlighted, or are too dark at night. In cases like these, the city may be partially liable for causing a pedestrian accident.

In Illinois, pedestrians have a legal obligation to practice reasonable care for their own safety. If they cross at a crosswalk when the pedestrian light is red, or cross a road where there is not a crosswalk and are hit by a car, they can be found partially responsible. 

Illinois is a comparative negligence state, so fault can be split between multiple parties. For example, if the driver is determined to be 70% at fault for driving recklessly, but the pedestrian was in the crosswalk when he wasn’t supposed to be, he may have to pay 30% of his medical bills.  

Claiming Compensation for Pedestrian Accidents in Effingham

Anyone injured in a pedestrian accident can file a claim for financial compensation against the party they believe is responsible for their injuries. Our attorneys will work to determine how much you are owed and file a claim to seek that amount. Total compensation can include finances that will cover:

•       Medical bills
•       Emergency room or hospital transportation
•       Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
•       Loss of wages
•       Medical equipment and other procedures
•       Mental trauma and physical suffering

If the driver’s negligence is clear, then the victim can also claim punitive damages apart from the compensation amount. 

Our experienced Effingham pedestrian accident lawyers evaluate every situation related to the accident, collect evidence from bystanders and eye-witnesses, and even partner with accident reconstruction professionals to establish the cause and circumstances of the accident. All this will help your financial settlement claim against the responsible party. 

Who is Responsible for a Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident?

If you were hit by a car that drove away, you can file a compensation claim against your Uninsured Motorist insurance. Uninsured Motorist Coverage also allows pedestrian accident victims to get compensation if the vehicle that injured them is under-insured or uninsured. 

Contact Kane Personal Injury in Effingham, IL for a Free Consultation

It’s often very difficult to recover enough money from insurance companies to cover medical bills and lost wages. Without an attorney, adjusters try to minimize the extent of victims’ injuries and offer a financial settlement as low as possible. Working with our law firm can help ensure insurers don’t bully you, and you get the compensation you deserve.

Pedestrian Accident FAQs

How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen Even When Walkers Are Using the Crosswalk Properly?

Even if a pedestrian follows all rules and crosses the road at a green light, accidents happen because of negligence by a driver. When a driver is not paying attention, speeding, or running a red light, he may injure pedestrians. 

What Duties Do Pedestrians Have to Avoid a Traffic Accident?

Pedestrians must obey traffic signals and signs at all times while walking on a road. It is their responsibility to check traffic conditions and make sure they do not cross roads if there is heavy traffic or a chance of accidents. 

How Does a Severe Pedestrian Accident Affect a Financial Settlement?

When a pedestrian is hit by a car, they often need a lot of medical care to heal their injuries and return to a normal life. Some injuries, such as spinal injuries and brain injuries, can alter their life permanently, preventing them from working again and relying on a caretaker. The financial settlement goes up based on the amount of medical bills, rehab needed, and expected permanent life changes. Our attorneys help victims get maximum compensation for their suffering and injuries.

Can a Pedestrian Accident Case go to Court?

Most injury claims get settled with negotiations without taking things to court. However, if insurance companies refuse to negotiate or an agreement is not made on the amount owed to a victim, our lawyers will take the case to court with your permission.