Springfield, Illinois Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Pedestrians are at risk in any traffic accident. But unfortunately, most people don’t think about their safety when they get behind the wheel of a car.

Still, this negligence can have devastating consequences for pedestrians not protected by an automobile’s frame and other safety features.

The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC understand that pedestrian victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by reckless drivers.

Your Springfield pedestrian accident lawyer will fight aggressively to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible if you or someone you love has been harmed in a collision with a vehicle while walking or crossing the street.

Contact a Springfield personal injury lawyer at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a pedestrian is killed every two hours and injured every eight seconds in a traffic accident. In addition, pedestrians have a 1 in 10 chance of being involved in a serious traffic collision, seven times higher than motorists.

In 2013, 4,735 pedestrians died from motor vehicle accidents, and another 61,000 individuals sustained non-fatal injuries from their crashes.

The following NHTSA data shows the frequency of traffic accidents involving pedestrians in 2018:

• 69 percent of all fatalities amongst those under 30 years old were pedestrian victims
• 44 percent of individuals over 61 years old who died in a traffic accident were crossing streets when they were fatally struck
• 1,500 children (under the age of 15) were injured or killed in traffic crashes during the year

In addition, NHTSA statistics indicate that black and Hispanic pedestrians are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents. Eighteen percent of African American pedestrian fatalities occurred when a driver failed to yield the right-of-way compared to 13 percent of whites who died under similar circumstances.

Sixteen percent of Hispanics who died as pedestrians were not crossing with the right-of-way, while only 9 percent of white victims and 7 percent of African Americans lacked the right-of-way when fatally hit.

Springfield Pedestrian Accident Injuries

A pedestrian can be severely injured or killed by hitting their head or suffering a traumatic brain injury in a traffic accident.

Other common injuries resulting from collisions with cars, trucks, and motorcycles include:

• Fractured/broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Burns
• Lacerations and contusions
• Amputation (partial or total)
• Hearing loss
• Vision loss
• Paralysis or quadriplegia (in severe cases)
• Internal bleeding or organ damage
• Scarring and disfigurement

Many people struck by vehicles suffer permanent disabilities because of their pedestrian accidents. They may also lose much money from wage-earning capacity and medical bills.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, offers free consultations to injured victims seeking legal advice concerning the value of their claims for pain and suffering, lost wages, and other losses.

Contact a Springfield personal injury attorney at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney if you were injured in a pedestrian accident.

Pedestrian Accidents Involving Hit-and-Run Drivers

Statistics show that 19 percent of motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians in Illinois result in a hit-and-run driver.

In other words, 1 out of every five motorists that strike a pedestrian leaves the scene without stopping to help or identify themselves.

Compensation is still available to injury victims of hit-and-run accidents. Our accident lawyers will fight on your behalf by filing claims with your driver’s insurance company or homeowner’s insurance for pain and suffering, loss of income, medical expenses, property damage, and other losses.

The preceding data show how dangerous it can be for pedestrians to cross streets in Springfield, IL.

Therefore, motorists should always be on the lookout for pedestrians when they are behind the wheel of a vehicle. Drivers should also obey traffic signals and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

If you are the victim of a hit-and-run Springfield pedestrian accident in Illinois, call Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today to evaluate your case at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form online.

How Pedestrians Stay Safe

There are specific steps that every pedestrian can take to ensure their safety and those in their party, including following traffic laws when using the sidewalk or crosswalk.

In addition, pedestrians can reduce their chances of being involved in a pedestrian accident by following these tips:

• Never assume that it is safe to cross the street, even if traffic appears to have stopped or has slowed down significantly. Always look both ways before crossing the road, and do not enter a crosswalk if unsure about your safety.
• When crossing a busy street, always use the sidewalk, staying as close to the road edge as possible. Avoid walking out in front of traffic or wandering into traffic from between parked cars. Do not assume motorists can see you when crossing a street during bad weather.
• If you must walk at night, wear bright clothing with reflective strips so vehicles can easily see you. Also, carry a flashlight with fresh batteries so that oncoming motorists can see your location while crossing the street.
• Elderly pedestrians have unique safety concerns on Springfield’s sidewalks and crosswalks. They can reduce their risk of being struck by an intoxicated or distracted motorist by using the sidewalk and following traffic safety rules.
• They should also avoid walking alone at night and never assume that a motorist has seen them or will yield to their right-of-way when they enter a crosswalk.

Elderly victims of pedestrian accidents can face expensive medical bills because of their injuries. Those injured in a Springfield crosswalk accident may be entitled to maximum compensation for their medical treatment, pain and suffering, lost earnings, and other losses.

Establishing The Liability of The Responsible Party

Determining precisely who was responsible for causing the pedestrian accident can be challenging. However, there are typically extenuating circumstances of how the responsible party acted negligently or intentionally, leading to your damages.

We will build a case on various factors, including:

• Accident reconstruction experts who can accurately identify who is responsible for causing the collision
• The testimony of expert witnesses that can accurately describe what happened
• Medical professional testimonies to describe the extent of your injuries
• Experts in estate planning to determine the compensation you will need in the future

When you speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer, they can help you understand the complexities of your case and how we intend to prove who is at fault for your injuries. We will aggressively pursue all available sources of compensation that we believe you are owed after a pedestrian accident.

The negligent party must be held responsible for their actions if they led to a severe or fatal accident. Legal action will ensure fair compensation for your injuries and prevent the same accident from happening to another pedestrian.

Motorists everywhere should be reminded of their responsibility to watch out for those sharing the road with them and follow all traffic laws to keep pedestrians as safe as possible.

Our Springfield law firm can ensure that the negligent driver or others will be held accountable for your injuries. In addition, we will work hard to ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering, lost wages, and other losses.

Contact a Springfield personal injury attorney today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident legal representative.

How Much is My Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth?

Determining the exact value of a pedestrian accident claim can be challenging based on its unique circumstances, facts, and evidence.

However, our personal injury law firm can value the case based on contributing factors, including:

• The extent of the injured person’s injuries and how long it takes to heal
• The medical treatment that the victim has received or will need in the future
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Pain and suffering endured because of the accident

Initiating ​legal action to hold the careless driver financially accountable should be done immediately. In Illinois, the statute of limitations restricts how long an injured party must take legal action against the negligent motorist who caused their injuries.

The statute begins tolling once the accident occurs. Injured victims should not delay initiating claims until after their health insurance benefits have been exhausted or they have received all medical treatment.

Suppose you are a pedestrian who a motorist struck in a crosswalk or sidewalk. In that case, the experienced accident attorneys at our Springfield office can help you seek monetary compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an injury attorney in Illinois, please call a Springfield pedestrian accident lawyer 24/7 at (888) 424-5757. Our Springfield law firm’s records indicate we have recovered over $250+ million for injured people.

Negotiating with the Insurance Company

Data shows that approximately 95% of all personal injury cases involving accidents, medical malpractice, slip and falls, and product liability are resolved through negotiated settlements with the insurance company.

Unless the insurance company insists, these cases do not have to go to trial. The settlement negotiations often involve a high degree of give and take, and it may be several weeks before both sides reach an agreement.

While settlements offer an alternative to drawn-out litigation that could last for years, there are many advantages to pursuing a lawsuit.

First, no matter how much insurance companies want to settle, there is always at least some room for negotiation. In addition, by filing a lawsuit, the injured party can increase their leverage in negotiations and get even more money than initially offered.

If you are still in pain or struggling with medical bills, do not let the defendant’s insurance company take advantage of you. It is imperative to act and have our skilled personal injury lawyers fight for your legal interests, who can prepare your case for trial if necessary.

If the defendant takes a plea offer or loses at trial, that could increase compensation for your injuries.

Recent Catastrophic Pedestrian Accidents in the Springfield, IL Area

Our Sangamon County personal injury lawyers have represented many injury victims and reviewed other cases where a negligent motorist harmed or killed an innocent pedestrian.

Some of those recent cases include:

• In August 2021, a reckless driver struck a female pedestrian near a downtown Springfield, Illinois, crosswalk. After the collision, witnesses reported that the driver was speeding and failed to stop at a red light before hitting the woman.

  The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of her injuries. A law enforcement investigation confirmed that speed and alcohol were likely contributing factors. The injured victim studied her legal options and filed a civil lawsuit to obtain the compensation she deserved.

• In February 2021, a semi-truck ran over a female pedestrian at an intersection in Springfield, Illinois. Authorities investigating the case indicated the victim attempted to run across Sangamon Street behind the vehicle when struck.

  She suffered broken bones and other injuries. Police officers quickly identified and tracked down the impaired driver to his residence nearby, where he admitted to falling asleep at the wheel after working a long shift. A personal injury lawsuit was filed against the negligent driver and his employer to cover the victim’s medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.

• In August 2020, police reported that an older woman crossing busy University Street in Springfield, Illinois suffered severe injuries when she was struck by two cars. The first car was located by authorities. It became clear that the driver braked right before hitting the elderly pedestrian who had entered the roadway without using a crosswalk or designated crossing area.

  The second vehicle remained at large until witnesses could identify the reckless driver and provide statements describing what they witnessed. An investigation concluded that speed, distracted driving, and failing to yield the right-of-way were all factors that contributed to the woman’s serious injuries. After negotiations with both driver’s insurance companies, the case was settled in favor of the victim and her family.

• In December 2020, a female pedestrian suffered severe injuries when struck by one or more vehicles near an intersection in Springfield, Illinois. The first vehicle’s driver stopped and was not charged with any crimes.

  However, police arrested the driver of the second car that fled the scene after they identified him as a suspect. A warrant was later issued for his arrest on criminal charges related to leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries and driving under the influence (DUI).

• In March 2020, an alleged DUI driver in Springfield, Illinois, struck and killed a female pedestrian. The woman was crossing the street after leaving her employment when she was fatally struck by the defendant’s vehicle.

  After police arrived on the scene and conducted their investigation, they determined that the defendant had been behind the steering wheel. At the same time, his blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. As a result, the defendant faced charges connected with the woman’s death, including DUI causing death and reckless homicide.

• In April 2020, a negligent motorist struck an older adult in Springfield, Illinois, using a designated crosswalk. Witnesses confirmed that the pedestrian had safely entered the crosswalk in front of the defendant’s car and that it was too late for him to stop.

  The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she died from her injuries several hours later. An investigation revealed that drugs or alcohol were not responsible for the crash. No charges have been filed against the defendant, but the victim’s family sued him for wrongful death.

• In August 2020, a woman crossing a street in Springfield, Illinois, suffered severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle making an illegal turn. The woman was in a designated crosswalk when the defendant failed to yield and hit her with his vehicle.

  The driver stopped briefly and then fled the scene. Authorities were able to locate and arrest him a short time later based on witnesses’ accounts, and he was taken into police custody. The woman was found unconscious by first responders and treated for serious injuries at a local hospital. She later filed a personal injury lawsuit against the defendant to recover compensation for her medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.

Contact a Springfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

The Springfield pedestrian accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can provide immediate legal advice on resolving your pedestrian/bicycle accident case.

We have represented injury victims in cases like yours for years and can help you too.

Contact a Springfield, IL, personal injury lawyer at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today to schedule a free consultation.

Our law firm accepts all personal injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits on a contingency fee basis, meaning no upfront fees are paid until the case is resolved.

Springfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Resources:

• NIH – Pedestrian Injuries: Emergency Care Considerations
• NIH – Injuries to pedestrians in road traffic accidents