A recent Chicago pedestrian accident at a North Side intersection serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers we routinely face while traveling on busy city streets.
Auto accidents kill thousands of pedestrians every year, and severely injure even more. It is important that drivers and pedestrians alike take preventative safety measures in order to avoid serious harm. When accidents happen, it is critical to contact an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer as soon as possible in order to protect your legal rights and interests.
As the Chicago Tribune is reporting, one of the most recent fatal pedestrian accidents happened on August 14, 2012, when a cabdriver went through the intersection of Chicago and Milwaukee avenues. The cab driver slammed into a light pole, flipped over several times, and eventually struck a pedestrian. The 30-year-old victim was thrown 15 feet in the air and pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses say that a passenger was in the back of the cab at the time of the accident, but escaped just before the cab burst into flames.
Another Chicago taxi cab accident happened just days before, when a taxi driver hit a pedestrian who was walking in the Bucktown neighborhood. Reports say that the pedestrian went to St. Mary’s Medical Center for potentially serious injuries. Chicago police are still investigating.
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Pedestrian accidents are such a serious problem in the area that the Chicago Department of Transportation tried to bring awareness to the issue with a major campaign earlier this year. City officials installed more than 30 mannequins along a stretch of Wacker Drive, which were intended to represent the number of pedestrians killed in Chicago traffic accidents in 2010.
However, despite these efforts, the problem remains. In Illinois alone, more than 1,700 pedestrians were killed in crashes between 2001-2009. Nationwide, pedestrian accident statistics are just as alarming. Every year, more than 5,000 pedestrians lose their lives in a traffic crash. Serious injuries are also common, including head and neck injuries, nerve damage, broken bones, and even paralysis.
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If you or a loved one are involved in a pedestrian or taxi cab accident, it is important to seek out an experienced car crash lawyer immediately. If you want to obtain the maximum compensation possible in order to cover your medical bills and lost wages, you should consult with the lawyer before you make statement to the insurance company or sign any documents.
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One of the most important legal questions in any traffic accident is, ‘Who is at fault?”. The answer is, it depends. Any person who fails to exercise a reasonable standard of care may be deemed negligent, and may also be potentially liable for the damages that result. A pedestrian who crosses the street illegally may be negligent, as well as a driver who drives over the posted speed limit. Even if the police report names the party at fault, insurance companies may dispute this finding.
When a pedestrian is injured in a traffic accident, he or she can generally file a claim against the driver, or against the vehicle owner’s auto insurance policy. If you are the driver responsible for hitting a pedestrian, your car insurance may cover the damages if your insurance policy allows for it.
With respect to taxi cab accidents, the operator of the taxi cab is required to have an insurance policy that covers liability for any damages caused. A legal claim may be made against either the taxi cab driver or against the insurance policy of the taxi operator.
The latest fatalities and serious injuries make it clear that pedestrian accidents are a major problem in Chicago and around the country. These accidents often lead to devastating and even deadly consequences for the victims involved. Apedestrian accident attorney can explain your legal options and help you protect your rights
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