Pedestrian Accident Injuries

When someone is hit by a car in Chicago, the injuries can change every aspect of their life in an instant. We’ve seen how pedestrian accident injuries leave our clients facing months or even years of medical care, lost income, and emotional upheaval. As a Chicago-based law firm focused on representing pedestrian accident victims, we stand with you.

When pedestrian accidents occur in busy urban areas like ours, whether downtown, along major corridors like Milwaukee Avenue, or in neighborhoods with poor visibility and heavy crosswalk traffic, the consequences can be devastating. If you’re searching for a compassionate Chicago pedestrian accident attorney, we’re here to guide you, protect your rights, and help you move forward.

What Are the Most Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Chicago?

Chicago traffic crashes can cause a wide range of harm, from minor injuries to catastrophic, life-altering injuries. Below are the common pedestrian accident injuries we see in our work representing injured pedestrians and families affected by pedestrian accidents.

Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head injuries are among the most serious outcomes when a vehicle struck someone walking. Even a low-speed collision can cause concussions, skull fractures, or severe traumatic brain injuries that affect memory, mobility, and personality.

Many clients come to us fearing they have a TBI after a car accident, even when symptoms weren’t immediately apparent at the accident scene. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, long-term monitoring, and sometimes physical therapy to restore cognitive and motor function.

Emotional Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

The physical injuries from a crash are only part of the story. Many survivors face deep emotional wounds, especially post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

We frequently support pedestrians who develop PTSD after a car accident, experiencing fear of crossing streets, flashbacks, sleep disturbances, or anxiety when they see a vehicle involved in a similar crash. The physical and emotional toll can be overwhelming, and emotional trauma deserves the same level of care and acknowledgment as physical harm.

Broken Bones

Being hit by a car often leads to fractures in the legs, arms, ribs, hips, or pelvis. Many pedestrian injuries involve:

• Compound fractures
• Comminuted fractures
• Bone breaks that limit mobility
• Rib fractures that make breathing difficult
• Broken bone punctures leading to infection

These injuries may involve surgery, long periods of immobilization, and ongoing physical therapy. Even when treated promptly, many clients experience chronic pain or long-term disability.

Soft-Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries, including sprains, ligament tears, muscle strains, and tendon damage, are some of the most common soft tissue injuries we see in pedestrian accident cases.

These injuries may not show up on the first scan, but they can cause significant pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. Soft-tissue damage often requires extensive medical treatment, and can leave survivors dealing with long-lasting discomfort.

Spinal Cord Injuries and the Risk of Complete Paralysis

A severe crash may result in spinal cord injuries, which can cause partial or complete paralysis. When a vehicle struck a pedestrian at high speed or knocked them onto a hard surface, the spine absorbs tremendous force.

Some clients struggle with mobility, nerve pain, loss of sensation, or full complete paralysis depending on the level of the injury. These severe injuries affect every aspect of daily life and often come with enormous medical expenses and mounting medical bills.

Internal Injuries and Life-Threatening Complications

Internal trauma is one of the most dangerous types of harm because symptoms may not be immediately apparent. Internal injuries such as internal bleeding, ruptured organs, or vascular damage require immediate medical attention.

Injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs can be life-threatening, especially when paired with abdominal pain or respiratory distress. Survivors often must undergo emergency surgery and ongoing monitoring to ensure complications don’t worsen.

Pedestrian Injuries Leading to Fatality

Sadly, pedestrian fatalities remain common in Chicago, especially at high-speed intersections, during nighttime travel, or where distracted driving contributes to errors. Families of individuals lost in fatal pedestrian accidents carry unimaginable grief. These cases often involve wrongful death lawsuits to hold negligent drivers and responsible parties accountable.

What Laws Govern Pedestrian Safety in Chicago?

Pedestrian safety in our city is guided by both state and local laws, including the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/) and the Chicago Municipal Code. Key protections include:

Illinois Vehicle Code

Illinois law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, yield the right-of-way when turning, and exercise due care to avoid causing harm. Drivers must account for risk factors such as poor visibility, speed, and distracted driving. Motorists must slow down and stop when a pedestrian is present and ensure safe passage before continuing.

Chicago Municipal Code

Chicago’s pedestrian safety rules reinforce state law by requiring drivers to yield at marked and unmarked crosswalks, obey traffic signals, and operate vehicles with caution in school zones and high-traffic areas. The code also outlines responsibilities for both drivers and pedestrians involved in traffic interactions, emphasizing safety and accountability to reduce accidents in crowded urban areas.

Together, these laws help reduce common injuries sustained in many pedestrian accidents, though violations still occur daily.

What Damages Can Be Recovered in Chicago Pedestrian Accident Cases?

When filing a pedestrian injury claim, injured clients may be entitled to several categories of damages. We help our clients pursue fair compensation for:

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses such as surgeries and other medical treatment
• Lost income and reduced future earning capacity
• Costs of physical therapy, rehabilitation, and mobility aids
• Expenses associated with long-term care

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and psychological trauma
• Loss of normal life
• Chronic or ongoing limitations due to injuries

Punitive Damages

In rare cases involving extreme negligence or reckless conduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish wrongdoing and deter future misconduct.

How Long Do Injured Pedestrians Have to Take Legal Action in Illinois?

If you’re considering a pedestrian accident lawsuit, it’s essential to understand Illinois’ strict timelines. We guide injury victims through these deadlines to ensure their right to file claims is protected.

Illinois Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, most adults have two years from the date they sustained injuries to file a personal injury lawsuit after a pedestrian accident.

Statute of Limitations for Minors

For children, the time limit is extended under 735 ILCS 5/13-211. The statute is paused (“tolled”) until the child turns 18, giving them additional time to bring legal action for injuries sustained.

Wrongful Death Act

Families pursuing claims under 740 ILCS 180/ after fatal pedestrian accidents generally have two years to file a lawsuit, although exceptions may apply depending on the circumstances.

Because deadlines vary by case, it’s important to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

How Our Chicago Law Firm Can Help You File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit

When you’ve suffered injuries, you shouldn’t have to navigate the legal system alone. As experienced pedestrian accident attorneys, we provide:

• Thorough investigation of the accident scene
• Identification of all liable parties
• Collection of evidence, witness statements, and expert reports
• Support obtaining immediate medical attention and ongoing care
• Guidance on the insurance process and your pedestrian accident claim
• Advocacy for fair compensation for the injuries sustained
• Representation in negotiations and litigation when necessary

Our pedestrian accident lawyer team is here to fight for victims and families facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and long-term recovery needs.

Expert Legal Representation for Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries in Chicago

If you’ve been hurt in any type of crash involving a pedestrian, a Chicago motor vehicle crash attorney from our team can help. We bring a proven track record of representing clients in motor vehicle, pedestrian, and intersection-related cases across Cook County.

We take these cases on a contingency fee basis, so you never face upfront costs or attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Reach out today for your free consultation.