Pedestrian Injured In Chicago Police Car Accident on Interstate 94
Pedestrian Accident - January 4, 2023
Pedestrian Injured In Chicago Car Accident Involving Cook County Sheriff’s Squad Car On Interstate 94
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (January 3, 2022) – A pedestrian was injured in a Chicago car accident involving a Cook County Sheriff’s squad car trying to control traffic on Interstate 94.
Cook County officials are saying that the collision took place around 1:10 a.m. on Sunday. A Cook County Sheriff’s officer was responding to a previous collision.
A driver involved in the crash was hit by the officer as they were backing up in the roadway. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
They were taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment. A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Chicago Police Car Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured in accidents involving emergency vehicles every year. According to the National Safety Council, more than 180 people were killed in car accidents with authorized emergency drivers in 2020 alone. Police vehicles accounted for the majority of those collisions. There are a number of factors that can make police vehicles especially dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Police officers are often distracted by their on-board computers.
- Police officers may need to respond to emergency calls which could require them to speed.
- Police officers often work at night when pedestrians are less visible.
According to the National Safety Council, more than 180 people were killed in car accidents with authorized emergency drivers in 2020 alone. Police vehicles accounted for the majority of those collisions. There are a number of factors that can make police vehicles especially dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists. However, a police officer could be liable for hitting a pedestrian if their conduct is considered “willful and wanton.” Consider, for example, Supreme Court of Illinois case Wilkins v. Rhonda Williams, Indiv. And, Inc. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any car accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Police camera footage should be examined.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
It can be very difficult to know what to do after any car accident with a police vehicle. Accident victims may sustain high medical bills and may not be able to return to work for several weeks. Any person that is injured due to the negligent actions of a police officer may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. Sadly, though, it is common for police officers to deny all responsibility if they hit someone with their vehicle. This is one of the reasons it is extremely important that all evidence is properly preserved after a crash.
Investigating A Chicago Car Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the person injured in this police car accident on Interstate 94. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured due to the negligent actions of a police officer? Our team of consumer 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 a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.