Aim to Reduce Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago

In early January, an 18-year-old woman walking in Chicago’s Chinatown was hit by a car and sustained serious injuries, according to the Chicago Tribune. The driver of the car stayed at the scene of the accident after the crash, and the woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The Chicago Police Department’s Major Accidents Unit is investigating the incident, though no foul play seemed to be involved. Still, it is a tragic accident that highlights, again, just how often pedestrian accidents occur on the streets of Chicago.

According to Chicagoland’s Active Transportation Alliance, merely crossing the street in the Windy City could be the most dangerous activity that residents do all day. In October of last year, as a result, the Alliance launched Safe Crossings, a “pedestrian-focused campaign designed to raise awareness about intersection safety.” Lists were compiled upon the suggestions of more than 800 residents to pinpoint and make suggestions for the city’s 10 most dangerous intersections and the 10 most dangerous intersections in suburban Cook County. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Department of Transportation head Gabe Klein announced a similar initiative in May of last year to reduce the number of traffic fatalities to zero by 2022.

Regardless of the city’s goals to make it safer for pedestrians, being hit while walking is still a very serious concern. If you hit a pedestrian while behind the wheel, the most important thing to do is to stay at the scene, like the driver who hit the 18-year-old in Chinatown earlier this month. Lawsuits are civil, not criminal, matters, and a driver can be sued for hitting a pedestrian even if the driver was not in the wrong.

If you or someone you know has been hit by a car or hit a pedestrian while behind the wheel, the most important step is to seek legal counsel. Do not go through it alone. Contact an experienced Chicago accident attorney today.