A driver can seriously injure a pedestrian even when the vehicle is moving slowly. If you were struck while walking in Skokie, a personal injury lawyer at Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC can determine what caused the collision and pursue compensation for your injuries.
To discuss what happened and your legal options, call (312) 701-0090 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Why Put Your Pedestrian Injury Case in Our Hands?
- Not a volume-driven practice: We provide personal attention instead of treating pedestrian injury clients like another case number.
- Trusted by other attorneys: Lawyers refer personal injury clients to us when a case requires experience or resources beyond their own practice.
- More than 100 years of combined experience: Our legal team brings substantial personal injury and litigation experience to serious pedestrian claims.
Pedestrian Accidents Do Not Only Happen in Crosswalks
Parking lots, shopping areas, apartment entrances, alleys, and driveways put pedestrians and vehicles in close proximity. Drivers may back from parking spaces, cross sidewalks while entering the road, or focus on surrounding vehicle traffic without looking for someone walking nearby. Illinois law specifically protects pedestrians using sidewalks. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1008, a driver “shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian on a sidewalk.”
Be Careful Talking to an Insurance Company
An adjuster may contact you before you know how long your recovery will take. You may be asked for a recorded statement, which is a formal account of the accident that the insurer records and can later compare with other information in the claim. Questions about where you were walking, when you first saw the motor vehicle, or what you remember immediately before impact can affect how the insurer evaluates responsibility. If later evidence differs from something you said shortly after the collision, the insurer may point to the difference to question your account or argue that you share responsibility.
Discussing your injuries can create similar problems when you are still undergoing testing and do not yet know the diagnosis or prognosis. A statement that you are “feeling better,” for example, may later be cited to dispute the severity or duration of an injury if your symptoms worsen or additional medical problems are diagnosed.
What Losses Can Be Included in Your Claim?
A pedestrian accident can affect your finances, physical health, and ability to return to your normal routine. Illinois personal injury claims can include both economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses and future care.
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
- Disability or disfigurement.
- Loss of normal life.
The amount depends on your injuries and how they affect you. A permanent injury like paralysis, for example, may create years of additional medical expenses while also limiting your ability to work or participate in activities that were part of your life before the accident.
How a Lawyer Can Make the Claims Process Easier
Dealing with insurance adjusters, understanding what information to provide, keeping track of deadlines, and deciding whether a settlement is fair can become overwhelming when you are also receiving medical treatment and trying to get back to work. A Skokie pedestrian accident lawyer can handle the claim on your behalf and advise you when an important decision arises.
Your attorney can deal directly with the insurance companies, protect you from requests that could harm your case, and determine whether a settlement offer is fair. If the insurer disputes the claim or will not agree to appropriate compensation, your attorney can take the legal steps necessary to continue pursuing the case.
Speak With Us About Your Skokie Pedestrian Accident
If you were injured by a driver in Skokie, Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC can explain your options and help you determine how to move forward.
Call (312) 701-0090 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation.