Belvidere Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Being involved in a pedestrian accident can cause many different injuries, emotional trauma, and long-term financial burdens to manage. When someone has been struck by a moving vehicle in Belvidere, the consequences are often severe due to the lack of protection pedestrians have compared to those driving a vehicle. If you have recently been in this situation, a Belvidere pedestrian accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation.
At Franks Gerkin Ponitz & Greeley, we understand how overwhelming life can feel after being the victim of a pedestrian accident. The physical recovery process alone is a lot to manage, let alone dealing with insurance companies and other legal responsibilities. To help manage this burden, our attorneys will thoroughly assess your case to ensure no one takes advantage of your rights or tries to reduce how much money you rightfully deserve as a victim.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Accidents involving Belvidere pedestrians often happen when either the driver or the pedestrian fails to follow the rules of the road. By taking the time to better understand the most common causes of these accidents, both drivers and pedestrians can be more aware of them and try to prevent them from occurring.
Some of these leading causes include:
- Failure to yield at crosswalks: Illinois law requires all drivers to stop for pedestrians if they are in a marked crosswalk. Unfortunately, failure to yield is a common mistake that leads to pedestrian accidents. With over 4,000 pedestrian crashes reported across the state in 2022, awareness of this is critical.
- Distracted driving: Anytime someone spends time texting, talking on the phone, or handling their GPS rather than paying attention to the road, they can cause drivers to miss pedestrians when they are crossing.
- Speeding or aggressive driving: Excess speeds shorten a driver’s ability to react and slow down when a pedestrian appears. This increases the severity of injuries when a pedestrian is hit.
- Poor visibility or lack of signage: Accidents are most likely to happen at night or in a poorly lit area without proper signs warning drivers to be on the lookout for a pedestrian.
- Unsafe pedestrian behavior: If a pedestrian chooses to jaywalk, walk without looking, or cross outside of a designated crosswalk, it increases their risk of being hit.
Understanding Pedestrian Safety in Belvidere
Keeping Belvidere pedestrians safe is a shared responsibility between those driving, pedestrians out strolling, and the local community. Belvidere’s police force includes 44 sworn officers and five civilian staff members who are working hard to protect over 25,000 residents. However, preventing accidents also comes down to vigilance on all sides of the equation.
Some key safety reminders for drivers:
- Be especially cautious when driving near schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods
- Always be ready to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, especially at busy intersections
- Avoid driving too close to pedestrians on narrow roads or when the sidewalk is unavailable
Pedestrians should also take some simple measures to keep everyone safe:
- Use crosswalks and obey all posted walk signals
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street
- If you need to walk around at night, wear visible clothing to be seen and avoid distractions
If you become injured, call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical help. If you can, document everything you see at the incident scene, such as taking photos of your injuries, the vehicle, and the conditions of the road. It’s also important to swap contact details with everyone involved, including nearby witnesses who could provide testimony later. All of this will be critical information to share with your attorney during your initial consultation.
FAQs About Belvidere, IL Pedestrian Accident Law
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Pedestrian Accident?
The timeline for settling a pedestrian accident will vary by case. Some of these cases resolve fairly quickly, especially if the injuries and liability are fairly straightforward. Some of the more complicated cases, where there are severe injuries to manage and disputes over who caused the accident, could take an extensive period of time. To ensure you don’t waste any time, hire a quality personal injury attorney to keep your case’s timeline on track.
Who Is Liable When a Car Hits a Pedestrian?
Liability depends on the circumstances of the accident. In many cases, the driver could be found at fault for failing to yield or not paying attention when making their next move. However, there have also been cases where a pedestrian’s actions contributed to the accident, such as crossing outside of a designated crosswalk. When a case is being investigated, the investigators will look at factors such as speed, visibility, and whether or not traffic signals were obeyed.
Does Car Insurance Cover Pedestrian Accidents?
Yes, most car insurance policies will help to cover a pedestrian’s damages when they have been hit. The type of coverage that applies in these scenarios will depend on who is at fault and the policy details of both parties. For example, a pedestrian might be approved to recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering through the driver’s insurance company. Secure legal guidance to navigate these tricky insurance policies.
How Do I Sue for a Car Accident Without a Lawyer?
While there is no legal mandate to file a lawsuit without a car accident lawyer in Belvidere, IL, it’s not advised to move forward alone. To successfully win these cases, you need to have a strong understanding of court procedures, how to file paperwork correctly, and present evidence clearly. A seasoned lawyer can fill in these knowledge gaps for you. Also, insurance companies are often represented by legal teams, so moving forward without your own lawyer can put you at a disadvantage.
Contact Franks Gerkin Ponitz & Greeley Today
If you have recently been involved in a pedestrian accident and are unsure where to turn, contact our firm today to get started. We are standing by, ready to get to work on an action plan that protects your rights and holds the responsible parties accountable for what happened.
