Walking is an excellent form of exercise that is affordable and accessible to most people. Walking can also help improve a person’s physical and mental health. Unfortunately, like most cities in the state, Carpentersville is not always pedestrian-friendly. Most of the roads in the town are more appropriate for individuals traveling by car instead of on foot. As a result, cars often strike pedestrians. Because pedestrians have nothing to shelter their bodies from the impact of a heavy vehicle, these accidents often cause debilitating injuries and can be fatal.
If an automobile struck you or your family member, a Carpentersville pedestrian accident lawyer could help you file a personal injury claim and seek financial compensation for your losses.
Most pedestrian accidents occur due to negligent driving mistakes. Common causes for accidents involving pedestrians include:
Motorists owe a duty of care to everyone on the road, including people traveling on foot. Drivers should also pay particular attention to their driving in areas where there are children, including near playgrounds, residential neighborhoods, and schoolyards.
An experienced local attorney in Carpentersville could perform a detailed investigation of a pedestrian accident to determine how an incident occurred. A legal representative could look through an official police accident report and follow procedures to obtain copies of the driver’s blood-alcohol levels or cellphone records. A lawyer may also interview bystanders to see what they observed and visit the crash scene with crash reconstruction experts to learn more about the details of a collision.
Sometimes, people on foot accidentally contribute to their accidents. Like drivers, pedestrians can make mistakes when they do not look where they are walking. For example, walkers could become distracted by their cellphones and accidentally walk off a sidewalk or in front of a car backing out of a parking space. Walkers can also be partially to blame when they unexpectedly dart into the street or cross the road in the middle instead of at a designated crosswalk.
Fortunately, Illinois courts do not bar pedestrians who bear partial responsibility for their accidents from pursuing financial compensation. Instead, the state operates with a modified comparative fault standard, which allows a person to file a legal claim if they are less than 50 percent responsible for an accident. However, a court would reduce the claimant’s damages by their percentage of fault.
A knowledgeable attorney in Carpentersville could explain how the comparative negligence standard would apply to a pedestrian crash claim.
When cars hit pedestrians, the consequences are usually unimaginable. Without physical protection, walkers often suffer severe injuries that can permanently change their lives.
A compassionate Carpentersville pedestrian accident lawyer understands how challenging it can be to recover physically, emotionally, and financially after being struck by a car. A legal representative could work tirelessly to help you achieve the best possible result. Reach out to a legal team member today.