Female Pedestrian Injured In Decatur Car Accident
Pedestrian Accident - January 7, 2024
36-Year-Old Woman Critically Injured In Decatur Pedestrian Accident By East Lake Shore Drive and South Martin Luther King Jr Drive
DECATUR, ILLINOIS (January 6, 2023) – A female pedestrian was critically injured in a Decatur pedestrian accident by the intersection of East Lake Shore Drive and South Martin Luther King Jr Drive.
Macon County officials are saying that the accident took place around 6:52 p.m. on Thursday. A woman was crossing the street when she was struck by a Dodge Ram pickup truck.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the woman. She was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Decatur Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians lack the protection of enclosed vehicles and are more likely to be overlooked. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Higher vehicle speeds increase both the likelihood of a pedestrian being struck by a car and the injury severity. SUVs can cause more harm to a person on foot when a crash occurs because of their greater body weight and larger profile.” There are a number of steps that cities can take in order to prevent pedestrian collisions.
- Intersections should be well illuminated so that pedestrians are more visible.
- Cities should install marked crosswalks and implement pedestrian signals that indicate when it’s safe to cross.
- Police officers should heavily enforce traffic violations likely to lead to pedestrian collisions.
Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, every driver must exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian. They must also use their horn when necessary and exercise the proper precaution to avoid colliding with any child or obviously confused person. If a driver fails to reduce their speed to avoid hitting a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a pedestrian accident could extend beyond any driver.
If the driver of a pickup truck was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. Pickup trucks are often used for commercial purposes. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. Victims of pedestrian accidents often suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage
A city could also potentially be liable for a pedestrian accident if it was caused by a dangerous condition with a roadway. When a city has actual or constructive notice that a roadway is in a dangerous condition, they must take action. Any person that is injured in a car accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim. A pedestrian accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Illinois Pedestrian Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the woman injured in this Decatur pedestrian accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to make this intersection safe.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Decatur pedestrian accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they deserve. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
