Driver carelessness can lead to severe and fatal injuries for pedestrians. At the law offices of Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC, our Chicago personal injury attorneys are dedicated to fighting for our clients in a wide range of personal injury cases. We can help you recover the compensation you and your family need.
As a pedestrian, you expect drivers to follow the rules of the road and keep a watchful eye out for you. However, the reality is that many drivers don’t respect the right of way the pedestrians have, and many drivers are too distracted to pay as much attention as they should to pedestrians.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case — contact us today.
Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?
Contact an Attorney at Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC Today
The Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC Advantage
- Our Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys have over 40 years of experience helping injury victims secure maximum compensation for their damages.
- Our personal injury law firm will handle your case on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing until we secure compensation for you.
- We will customize a legal strategy for the specific facts of your case. At Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC, you are never just a number to us. We genuinely care about you and are committed to helping victims move forward after a pedestrian accident by protecting your rights and working to secure the full value of your claim.
- We offer free consultations to evaluate your Chicago, IL pedestrian accidents case, answer your questions, and explain your rights.
Meet Your Chicago Pedestrian Accident Attorney: Mark L. Karno
Mark L. Karno is the founding attorney of Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC and a respected trial lawyer representing injury victims across Illinois and Florida. From the firm’s Chicago office, he leads a legal team focused on helping individuals and families pursue justice after serious accidents.
With more than four decades of legal experience, Mark handles complex cases involving motor vehicle negligence, trucking accidents, and premises liability. He is also actively involved in professional legal organizations and regularly contributes to discussions on civil litigation and trial practice. Contact the firm today to schedule a free consultation.
Compensation For Your Pedestrian Injuries In Chicago, IL
Insurance companies often attempt to reduce the amount they pay on pedestrian accident claims. Understanding these tactics can help protect your rights. Common strategies include:
Blaming the Pedestrian
Insurers may argue that the pedestrian caused or contributed to the accident by crossing outside a crosswalk, ignoring traffic signals, or not paying attention. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows insurers to reduce compensation based on fault.
Minimizing Injuries
Insurance companies may claim that injuries are less severe than reported or unrelated to the accident. They may question medical treatment or argue that injuries existed before the crash.
Requesting Recorded Statements
Adjusters may ask for recorded statements shortly after the accident. These statements can be used to identify inconsistencies or shift blame.
Offering Quick Settlements
Early settlement offers are often lower than the full value of a claim. Accepting a quick offer may prevent you from recovering additional compensation later.
Delaying the Claims Process
Delays can pressure victims into accepting less compensation, especially when medical bills and lost income begin to add up.
What Our Chicago Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Will Do For You
Whatever the cause of the pedestrian accidents that our clients are involved in, our pedestrian accident lawyers will investigate their case to determine fault and build the best legal case to recover the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Common pedestrian accident injuries (hit by car, etc…) include:
- Head injuries, which may range from a concussion to traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Broken bones
- Back, neck and shoulder injuries
- Road rash
Any of these pedestrian accident injuries can require professional doctor treatment and care for victims, usually resulting in extensive medical bills. This leads many to pursuing compensation to help deal with the effects of the accident and their recovery process. You may be entitled to receive damages in areas such as:
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Loss of parental or spousal support
- Pain and suffering
- Pedestrian fatalities resulting in wrongful death claims in Chicago, IL
If you are contacted by an insurance company after the incident, do not discuss anything with them until you have had a chance to talk to an experienced Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer — they will fight greedy insurance companies who want to profit off your misfortune.
One of our skilled car accident attorneys in Chicago can help you understand your claim, and negotiate with the insurers on your behalf. Our personal injury law firm has over 30 years of experience in personal injury law, and we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
What Steps Should I Take After a Pedestrian Accident in Chicago?
Taking the right steps after a pedestrian accident can help protect your health and your ability to recover compensation.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health should be the first priority. Even if injuries seem minor, seek medical care right away. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding or head trauma, may not be immediately obvious.
Call the Police
Report the accident to law enforcement so an official report is created. This report can provide important details about the crash and may help establish fault.
Gather Information
If possible, collect information from the driver and any witnesses, including:
- Names and contact information
- Driver’s license and insurance details
- Vehicle information
Document the Scene
Take photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. This evidence can help support your claim.
Avoid Speaking With Insurance Companies Alone
Insurance companies may contact you shortly after the accident. Avoid giving recorded statements or accepting settlement offers without understanding your rights.
Speak With a Chicago Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
An experienced attorney can help evaluate your case, gather evidence, and pursue compensation on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Liable After a Pedestrian Accident In Chicago, IL?
The driver who hits you is usually the primary liable party. However, other parties may also share responsibility. Some potentially liable parties in Chicago pedestrian accidents include:
- The driver
- The vehicle owner
- The driver’s employer (if the driver was on the job at the time of the accident)
- A vehicle or auto part manufacturer
- A negligent auto repair or maintenance business
- A government entity responsible for dangerously designed or negligently maintained roads
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence model that allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, if you are 51% or more at fault for the accident, you will be barred from recovering any compensation.
If you are less than 51% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found to be 30% at fault, you could still recover $70,000 after deducting your percentage of fault.
What Is the Statute of Limitations in Chicago Pedestrian Accident Claims?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for pedestrian accident claims is two years. This means you must file your claim within two years of your accident. If you miss your filing deadline, you will not be able to recover compensation.
However, there are some exceptions to the two-year filing deadline. You must promptly consult an experienced Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer to determine how long you have to file.
In addition to determining your filing deadline, you should act quickly after a Chicago pedestrian accident to help protect your claim. Evidence can be lost, destroyed, or diminished soon after an accident if action is not taken promptly. At Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC, our Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys work quickly to help preserve and gather the evidence to build your strongest case.
The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can seek the full compensation you are entitled to and fight insurance companies looking to profit.
Do I Need a Chicago Pedestrian Accident Attorney?
Insurance companies are in business to make a profit. They will try to deny, delay, and devalue your pedestrian accident claim and pay you as little as possible for your damages. You need the assistance of an experienced Chicago pedestrian accident attorney to protect your rights and help you secure the full value of your claim. If a potential claim exists, photos capturing the condition at the time of the injury can be critical.
An experienced Chicago pedestrian accident attorney can carefully investigate your accident to determine whether parties other than the driver may be liable for your damages. They can establish and accurately value your damages so you know what your claim is worth. Your attorney can work to hold the insurance companies accountable and negotiate to reach a fair settlement as fast as possible.
When a settlement cannot be reached, your pedestrian accident lawyers can take your case to trial to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to for your pedestrian accident claim.
Your chances of securing maximum compensation for your damages are much greater when an experienced Chicago pedestrian accident attorney represents you — they will fight an insurance company simply looking to profit off your accident
Causes Of Driver Negligence In Chicago, IL Pedestrian Accidents
The cause of most pedestrian accidents is the negligence of a motor vehicle driver. This comes in many forms such as:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Running red lights in traffic
- Failing to stop at a stop sign on a street
- Speeding and reckless driving on roadways
- Not looking for pedestrians or people in crosswalks or parking lots
- Distracted driving involving texting and mobile phone use
Chicago Pedestrian Accident Statistics
The most recent pedestrian accident data from the Illinois Department of Transportation highlights how frequently these incidents result in serious or fatal injuries across the state.
- Pedestrians made up only 1.6% of all crashes, but accounted for 19.7% of all fatal crashes.
- Pedestrian accidents also represented approximately 7% of all injury crashes statewide.
- More than 200 pedestrian fatalities occur annually in Illinois, with recent data showing totals exceeding 215 deaths in a single year.
- Urban areas like Chicago and Cook County experience the highest concentration of pedestrian accidents due to traffic density and foot traffic.
- Many pedestrian crashes occur at or near intersections, where drivers fail to yield or misjudge pedestrian movement. Check out our latest data analysis to learn more about the most crash-prone areas in Chicago.
While pedestrian accidents are less common than other types of crashes, they are far more likely to result in severe or fatal injuries. Pedestrians have little protection compared to vehicle occupants, which increases the risk of catastrophic harm.
Let Our Chicago Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Evaluate Your Case
At Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC, we strive to take the worry out of your legal case so that you and your family can focus on healing. We will complete a thorough investigation of your pedestrian accident claim and advise you on the best course of legal action, whether you should take a settlement or file a personal injury lawsuit. A pedestrian accident lawyer handles accident cases throughout the Chicago area. Se habla español.
Call us today at (312) 701-0090 for a free consultation with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyers and fight a greedy insurance company today.