No one expects to be involved in a pedestrian accident, but the reality is that these incidents are not uncommon in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were more than 5,000 total pedestrian crashes during the latest reporting year of data available. Out of these incidents, there were 167 fatal crashes, and more than 4,700 injury crashes. The data from the DOT shows that pedestrians are particularly vulnerable in the event they are involved in a crash with a traditional passenger vehicle.
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a pedestrian crash that was caused by the careless or negligent actions of another person, there are various steps you can take to ensure you are taken care of and that you receive maximum compensation.
Get to Safety
The most important thing for anybody to do if they are involved in a pedestrian accident is to get to safety if they are able to do so. Often, a pedestrian crash will happen in a high traffic area, which means that remaining in or around the roadway can be incredibly dangerous. However, never move a victim that has a suspected spinal cord or serious traumatic brain injury, as any movement could exasperate the injuries.
Seek Medical Care
Pedestrian accident victims must seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if a victim does not believe they are seriously injured, they should still be evaluated by a doctor who can determine whether they have sustained any internal or delayed injuries. In many cases, the signs and symptoms of pedestrian accident injuries do not appear for hours or even days after the incident occurs. By seeking medical care, a pedestrian accident victim is establishing a direct link between their injuries and the incident.
Call the Police
The police need to be involved anytime a pedestrian is injured in an accident. Not only is this the law, but this will be incredibly beneficial for any insurance claim or potential personal injury lawsuit. The police will conduct an initial analysis of the incident and complete an accident report that will contain important information such as which party was at fault, contact information for the other party, and more.
Gather Evidence
If you are able to safely do so at the scene of the crash, you should begin to gather as much evidence as possible. Use a smartphone or other device to take photographs of any damages, injuries, causes of the crash, vehicles involved, traffic conditions, and more. Take note of any nearby video surveillance cameras, as you or an attorney may be able to gather this footage to prove liability. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses to the incident.
Speak to an Attorney
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a pedestrian crash caused by the negligence of another party, speak to an attorney as soon as possible. A Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer will have the resources and legal knowledge necessary to prove liability in your case and help secure full compensation for your injuries.