-Protecting Your Family
In 2022, the average car on the road weighed about 4,329 pounds, while the average adult weighs just 181 pounds. When a vehicle and a person collide, the results can be serious or even life-changing.
If you’ve been hit while walking, you may be facing hospital bills, missed work, and a stressful recovery. That’s why you need an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. At DJC Law, we help pedestrians in Chicago fight for the compensation they deserve. A skilled pedestrian accident attorney can guide you through your options, handle the insurance, and manage the legal work while you focus on getting better.
Understanding Pedestrian Accidents
A pedestrian accident happens when someone on foot is hit by a car, truck, motorcycle, or even a bicycle. Chicago has one of the highest pedestrian accident rates in Illinois—37% of all crashes statewide happen here. In 2022, the city reported 2,698 pedestrian accidents.
Prompt action after an accident can protect your rights. Contacting a pedestrian accident lawyer quickly helps preserve evidence, secure witness statements, and strengthen your claim.
Recent Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago
Chicago streets can be dangerous. Some recent accidents show how quickly life can change:
- In 2023, a 63-year-old was killed in Roseland in a hit-and-run. Emergency crews said faster medical help might have saved the victim.
- In 2022, two men street racing in Clearing hit a 40-year-old pedestrian crossing legally.
- In 2022, a drunk driver struck a former Marine changing a tire on the Stevenson Expressway, leaving him in critical condition.
- In 2023, a delivery driver ran a red light in Logan Square and hit a 29-year-old pedestrian, causing multiple broken bones.
- In 2022, a distracted driver texting near Millennium Park struck a woman, leaving her with a serious leg injury and months of rehab.
- In 2023, a cyclist swerved into a crosswalk and hit a pedestrian, causing serious head injuries.
- In 2023, a car didn’t stop at a school crossing, hitting a child and causing life-changing injuries.
These accidents highlight why contacting a pedestrian accident attorney right away is critical. Acting fast ensures your case is strong and your rights are protected.
Life-Changing Impact
Recovering from a pedestrian accident often takes longer than the hospital stay. Many people need ongoing physical therapy, rehab, or adaptive care if injuries are serious. Emotional recovery matters too—fear of crossing streets, stress about bills, or anxiety about returning to normal routines is common.
Everyday activities may now require extra planning, and long-term injuries can affect work, finances, and overall quality of life. Working with a pedestrian accident attorney lets you focus on healing while your legal rights are protected.
DJC Law helps coordinate:
- Medical records, doctor notes, and therapy documents
- Documentation of current and future costs
- Records of treatments, therapy, and emotional struggles
Keeping these records helps your pedestrian accident lawyer show the full impact of the accident, including:
- Future care needs
- Rehabilitation or adaptive equipment
- Financial consequences of life-altering injuries
Common Types and Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere:
- Crosswalk Accidents: Drivers fail to stop or can’t see you.
- Intersection Accidents: Red-light running or distracted driving causes collisions.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: Drivers leave the scene after hitting someone.
- Parking Lot Accidents: Even slow-moving cars can cause serious injuries.
- Sidewalk Accidents: Rare but very dangerous, often caused by gross negligence.
Common causes include careless or drunk drivers, speeding, poor lighting, and unsafe roads. Even if a pedestrian is partly at fault, Illinois law may still allow you to recover compensation.
Technology and Pedestrian Accidents
Chicago streets are full of new hazards like e-bikes, electric scooters, and ride-share vehicles. If you’re hit by one of these while walking, it’s still considered a pedestrian accident, and you may be entitled to compensation.
Illinois law protects pedestrians in crosswalks and on sidewalks. Drivers of cars, e-bikes, scooters, or ride-share vehicles are responsible for avoiding collisions. Even quieter, seemingly harmless vehicles can cause serious injuries, and the law treats these accidents just like traditional car crashes.
At DJC Law, our pedestrian accident attorneys know how to handle modern urban collisions. We gather evidence from witnesses, traffic cameras, and medical records to ensure your injuries, bills, and emotional impacts are fully documented. Accidents can involve multiple parties — drivers, property owners, or even ride-share companies — and we navigate these complexities for you.
If you or a loved one were struck by an e-bike, scooter, or ride-share vehicle, acting quickly is critical. Prompt medical care, documentation, and legal guidance can make a big difference. Call DJC Law at (312) 442-5555 to speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer who understands Chicago’s modern streets.
Children and Pedestrian Safety in Chicago: What Parents Should Know
Children are some of the most at‑risk pedestrians on Chicago streets. Their smaller size, shorter reaction time, and tendency to be less aware of traffic dangers make them more vulnerable to serious injury in a crash. Because of this, Illinois law has special rules meant to protect kids near schools, crosswalks, and other areas where they walk or gather.
One key protection is school zone speed limits. On school days when children are present, drivers must slow to 20 miles per hour in posted school zones during designated hours. These zones are marked with signs and often include flashing lights or warnings to help drivers see the reduced speed limit and be extra cautious. Obeying these limits isn’t just about avoiding a ticket — it significantly reduces the risk of a collision and the severity of injuries if one does occur.
Illinois law also requires drivers to stop and yield the right‑of‑way to pedestrians in crosswalks, including those near schools, when kids are present and at risk. This applies even if traffic signals are not operating. Kids should be taught to use marked crosswalks and obey crossing guards, but a safe crossing still depends on drivers seeing and yielding to them.
Parents and caregivers can also take steps to keep children safer. Teaching kids simple habits — like looking both ways, using sidewalks, and making eye contact with drivers before crossing — can make a big difference. But when a driver ignores traffic laws and injures a child, families deserve help holding them accountable.
A Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer who understands how these laws work can protect your child’s rights and pursue compensation for medical care, therapy, long‑term recovery, and other losses. If your child was injured while walking, biking, or crossing a street, it’s important to act quickly and get trusted legal support.
Nighttime Pedestrian Safety and Liability
Walking at night comes with added risks. Low-light conditions make it harder for drivers to see pedestrians, increasing the chance of serious accidents. In Illinois, drivers are legally required to exercise extra caution after dark, and pedestrians are encouraged to wear reflective clothing or carry lights to improve visibility.
Even if a pedestrian isn’t wearing reflective gear, drivers can still be held liable if they fail to maintain safe speeds or properly observe crosswalks and street signals. Evidence like streetlight photos, traffic camera footage, or dashcam videos can be crucial in proving visibility, speed, and fault.
If you or a loved one was injured walking at night, quick action is essential. Collecting evidence early and consulting a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer can significantly strengthen your case. Call DJC Law at (312) 442-5555 to discuss your situation and ensure your rights are fully protected.
Legal Options for Pedestrian Accident Victims
A skilled pedestrian accident lawyer can help you:
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence
- File claims against negligent drivers
- Determine if city negligence contributed
- Negotiate settlements or take your case to court
Insurance companies often rush victims into lowball offers. Having a pedestrian accident attorney ensures your injuries—present and future—are fully considered so you get the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose DJC Law
At DJC Law, we’ve handled pedestrian accidents all over Chicago. Our approach is simple:
- Proven Expertise: We know Illinois traffic laws and fight for fair compensation.
- Client-Focused: Every case is personal, and we tailor our approach to you.
- Aggressive Advocacy: From negotiation to trial, we fight for your best result.
We’re on your side from day one, handling insurance, medical records, and everything in between. Our goal is to give you space to heal while making sure you get every dollar you deserve.
Testimonials / Case Studies
Here are examples of how DJC Law has helped pedestrians in Chicago:
- Case 1: Recovered $45,000 in medical bills and lost wages for a woman hit while crossing a busy intersection.
- Case 2: Secured $120,000 for a man who suffered a broken leg and ongoing therapy needs after a hit-and-run in Logan Square.
- Case 3: Negotiated $80,000 for a teenager injured near a school crossing, covering medical costs and adaptive equipment.
These anonymized cases show our experience, skill, and commitment to our clients.
Contact Us
If you’ve been hit as a pedestrian, don’t wait. Call DJC Law today at (312) 442-5555 or visit us at:
DJC Law
140 S Dearborn St, Suite 1610
Chicago, IL 60603
