A pedestrian with a walk signal can still be hit by a driver turning through the same intersection, leading to a dispute over who had the right-of-way. An Evanston personal injury lawyer at Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC can determine how the traffic signals and the driver’s actions affect your claim.
Call (312) 701-0090 or send us a message for a free consultation.
How We Approach Pedestrian Injury Cases
- Our attorneys bring decades of experience representing injured people in claims involving negligent drivers and serious accidents.
- Before representing injured clients, Mark Karno defended personal injury and wrongful death claims, giving him insight into how defendants and insurers evaluate and challenge pedestrian accident cases.
- We have secured six-figure recoveries for pedestrians, including cases where responsibility for the collision was disputed.
What Happens If the Driver Leaves the Scene?
Illinois law requires a driver involved in a crash causing personal injury to “immediately stop” and remain at the scene until the required information and assistance have been provided under 625 ILCS 5/11-401. If they flee, the driver’s identity is not always necessary to have an insurance claim.
Depending on your coverage, uninsured motorist protection may be an option for compensation. 215 ILCS 5/143a specifically requires qualifying Illinois auto policies to provide protection for people legally entitled to recover damages from uninsured and “hit-and-run motor vehicles.”
What If the Driver Was Working When They Hit Me?
A driver who hits a pedestrian while working can change which insurance coverage is available and whether another business may have legal responsibility. For example, under the Illinois Transportation Network Providers Act, 625 ILCS 57/10, different insurance requirements apply to rideshare collisions depending on the driver’s status in the app. Once a rideshare driver accepts a passenger request, the law requires primary automobile liability insurance of $1 million until the ride ends.
Accidents involving delivery and other commercial drivers require a separate investigation into who the driver was working for, who owned the vehicle, and which policies covered the trip. Identifying those relationships can become especially important if you suffer severe injuries carrying costs that exceed the driver’s individual insurance limits.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Illinois generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. 735 ILCS 5/13-202 states that an action for injury to a person must be “commenced within 2 years” after the claim accrues. The deadline applies even when you are still receiving medical treatment or discussing a settlement with the insurance company. If the two-year period expires before a lawsuit is filed, you may lose the right to recover compensation.
Identifying Every Source of Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident
An Evanston pedestrian accident lawyer can determine which insurance policies cover the accident and pursue claims on your behalf. They will address any disputes about fault meant to delay or limit your recovery. You also have someone protecting your interests when an insurer pressures you for a recorded statement, questions your treatment, or asks you to resolve the claim before your medical prognosis is clear. Instead of managing those demands while recovering, you can focus on your health while your attorney handles the legal and insurance process and keeps you informed at every stage.
Discuss Your Evanston Pedestrian Accident
The driver who hit you may not be the only source of compensation available. Call Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC at (312) 701-0090 or contact us online for a free consultation about your claim and legal options.