Pedestrians are vulnerable to serious injuries or death in a collision with a motor vehicle. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, our mission is to protect your rights. We’ll work to hold accountable those who caused you harm and pursue full compensation for your injuries.
If you or your loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, speak with an experienced Chicago pedestrian accident attorney today by calling (800) 985-1819.
Steps to take after being hurt
If you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, there are steps you can take to both ensure your well-being is taken care of and to preserve evidence for a possible lawsuit.
1. Find a safe place away from the source of injury
If possible, move away from the accident and out of harm’s way. This can mean moving out of the road, parking lot, or wherever the accident occurred.
2. Call 911 and ask for an ambulance and the police
Call 911 to report the accident and request medical personnel and a police officer. The more information you can give to the dispatcher, the more assistance they can send to the scene.
The responding police officer will conduct an investigation to find out how and why the accident happened. The report they file could be a powerful piece of evidence that helps you obtain compensation.
3. Take notes and photos of the scene
Take photographs and videos at the scene if you’re able to. This includes damages and injuries, possible causes of the crash, the surrounding areas, and more. Get the names, contact information, and insurance information for all involved parties.
4. Collect contact information from witnesses
Get the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of any witnesses. Give that information to your Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer and they’ll interview the witnesses later.
5. Keep a written or digital record of your experience
Write down what happened in the accident and keep track of how your injuries are affecting your life. This includes how your injuries are affecting your work and home life and changes to your mood or behavior.
6. Visit your primary care physician or specialist
Even if you don’t feel injured after an incident, please know that many injuries don’t present signs or symptoms until hours or even days after a crash. The longer you wait to see a doctor, the longer your recovery will take. By seeking medical help immediately, you’ll also establish a clear link between the crash and your injuries.
1. Speak with an attorney
Your next step should be to talk with a Chicago personal injury attorney with Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates as quickly as you can. The sooner you hire an attorney, the earlier they can investigate the accident. They’ll not only find out how it happened but also who’s liable for the costs of your injuries.
Don’t miss the deadline to file your claim
The statute of limitations is your deadline to take legal action. If you let it expire, you won’t be able to pursue compensation. The “clock” so to speak, started ticking when the accident occurred. In Illinois, the statute of limitations is two years which means you have two years from the date of the accident to take action.
There are some exceptions to this rule, but most incidents fall within this strict two-year filing deadline. To ensure that your claim is timely filed, hire a Chicago personal injury attorney right away.
Possible damages you can claim
Pedestrians injured in traffic crashes may recover compensation, also known as “damages” if someone else’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident. Personal injury damages are commonly broken down into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages
Your economic damages are your tangible financial losses. These include your lost wages and medical bills. You could potentially recover both current and future medical expenses related to the incident.
Non-economic damages
Any Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer can prove economic damages, but non-economic damages are another matter. You can’t produce receipts for issues such as lost quality of life, mental distress, or pain and suffering. You’ll need a skilled attorney so that you can obtain full compensation for everything you’re going through.
How to find the right lawyer for your needs
Far too many injury victims choose an attorney based on their advertising. Check to see if anyone you know has recently needed a personal injury lawyer and ask them if you should hire that attorney. If you don’t know anyone who’s worked with an attorney, look online to see what former clients think of the attorneys you’re considering.
We’ll fight the insurance company to get you maximum compensation
You owe it to yourself to work with an attorney who knows how to defeat insurance companies. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we have an extensive track record of doing just that.
Parties who may be liable for your injury
Vehicle drivers
Vehicle drivers have a duty to drive safely and obey all traffic laws. This also includes driving with extra vigilance when there are pedestrians nearby. When a driver fails to exercise this duty of care and strikes a pedestrian, they can be held liable for any pedestrian injuries they cause.
Government entities
There are times when government agencies or other entities could be held liable for a pedestrian crash. This could be the case if pedestrian crosswalk lights are out of order and haven’t been repaired, if a sidewalk is in poor condition and causes the pedestrian to fall and get struck by a vehicle, and dozens of other possible scenarios.
How our attorneys prove liability
There’s a good chance that a nearby surveillance camera captured footage of the incident. Your attorney can recover that footage and potentially use it as evidence. We have several other tools at our disposal to make sure all parties responsible for your injury pay the compensation you deserve.
Pedestrian accident lawsuit process
Here are some of the essential steps in a personal injury lawsuit.
1. Legal consultation
Your consultation will be a chance to get to know your potential attorney, and their chance to tell you whether or not you have a viable case. You should only hire an attorney if you feel that they’re a good fit for you in terms of the type of representation they can provide, including their ability to provide timely communication.
2. Accident investigation
After you hire an attorney, they’ll immediately start an investigation into the accident to help them determine the identity of all potentially liable parties. Ensuring that every liable party is included in your lawsuit could make a big difference in the outcome of your case.
3. File demand for compensation
Once your Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer finishes the investigation, they’ll send demand letters to all the liable parties seeking the compensation you deserve.
4. Negotiation
Your attorney will negotiate a settlement offer with the insurance companies of the responsible parties.
5. Take the case to trial
The vast majority of personal injury cases end with a settlement, but if the insurer isn’t willing to offer what you’re entitled to, your lawyer with Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates will be ready to fight for your rights in court in front of a jury.
Why it’s important to visit the doctor
Seeing a doctor will improve your chances of a full medical recovery. It will also increase your chances of obtaining maximum compensation. Failing to get timely medical help will make it much easier for the insurance company to deny your claim.
Cost of hiring a Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer
You won’t pay anything unless Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates achieves a positive result on your behalf because we work on a contingency basis. If we are successful, our fees will be paid from your eventual settlement or jury award.
In addition to offering services without out-of-pocket fees, we also offer free consultations to prospective clients. You have nothing to lose when meeting with one of our esteemed Chicago personal injury attorneys to learn about your legal options.
Why hire Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we have more than 30 years of experience delivering results to our clients. We won’t let insurance companies intimidate us, and we won’t let them harass you.
Our Chicago car vs. pedestrian accident lawyers are here to help
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, schedule a consultation with an experienced Chicago pedestrian accident attorney by calling (800) 985-1819. We can thoroughly investigate the accident, access the full extent of your injuries, and aggressively pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve.
