Jaime Cuadra Killed In Chicago Car Accident Near 87th Red Line Station
Wrongful Death - January 29, 2023
Jaime Cuadra Died In Chicago Car Accident With Chevrolet Cargo Van By 87th Red Line Station
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (January 29, 2022) – A pedestrian identified as Jaime Cuadra was killed in a Chicago car accident with a van near the 87th Red Line Station.
Cook County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 5:35 a.m. on Tuesday. Jaime Cuadra was exiting a vehicle that was stopped in the road.
A 32-year-old woman driving a cargo van hit the pedestrian. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision.
Jaime Cuadra was transported to the University of Chicago Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The driver of the cargo van received two citations.
Liability For Chicago Car Accidents
According to data from the NHTSA, “over 9,500 people in the U.S. were killed in auto crashes during the first quarter of 2022, up 7% from the same period in 2021. Of those deaths, 280 were in Illinois, and at least 35 of those were in Chicago, according to the city’s data portal.” The vast majority of pedestrian accidents involve some amount of driver error. There are a number of steps that drivers should take to avoid hitting pedestrians.
- Drivers should slow down in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
- Drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them.
- Drivers should abstain from alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
A disproportionate number of pedestrian accidents are due to drivers that were speeding. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-601), no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed greater than what would be reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. Even driving the speed limit could be dangerous during periods of inclement weather. If a driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Depending on the facts of any case, liability could extend beyond any driver. Cargo vans are often used for commercial purposes. The company that a van driver was working for could be held at fault for a crash. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any collision.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
In certain scenarios, a city or municipal entity could be liable for a pedestrian collision. Government entities could be liable for collisions due to a dangerous condition on public property. It is important for accident victims to know that they do have rights. The family of any person that is killed in a car accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim. However, to win any civil claim plaintiffs will typically need to demonstrate negligence. This is why it is so important that all evidence is properly preserved after a collision.
Investigating A Chicago Car Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jaime Cuadra. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. It is our sincere hope that city officials will take steps to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about a Chicago pedestrian collision? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
