When it comes to pedestrian safety, understanding right-of-way laws is crucial for both pedestrians and drivers in Illinois. By knowing who has the right to proceed in specific situations, individuals can prioritize safety and avoid traffic violations.

In Illinois, pedestrian deaths have seen a troubling rise. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), there were 4,940 pedestrian-involved crashes in 2017, resulting in 148 pedestrian fatalities. Among these fatalities, 128 occurred on urban roads, while 20 happened on rural roads. 

Rights of Pedestrians 

As a pedestrian in Illinois, drivers have a legal obligation to come to a complete stop and yield under the following circumstances:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 6,000 pedestrians were fatally injured after being struck by motor vehicles in 2016 throughout the United States. Over that same time period, more than 120,000 additional pedestrians suffered injuries that required medical treatment. In a large percentage of the motor vehicle collisions involving pedestrians, the collision only occurred due to the reckless actions of the driver. If you or a loved one were injured after being struck by a car, you are likely entitled to injury compensation.

At Risk Victims of Pedestrian Accidents  

Unfortunately, the most vulnerable members of our society are statistically more likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident. Both children and the elderly are commonly injured after being struck by motor vehicles. According to the CDC, approximately 20 percent of all pedestrians fatally injured in 2016 were people over the age of 65. Elderly Americans are prone to pedestrian accidents due in large part to diminished mobility and vision. Tragically, thousands of children are also injured each year after being struck by a car. 

On February 4, a 15-year-old pedestrian was fatally injured when she was struck by a drunk driver in Chicago Ridge. The young girl was a student at Oak Lawn’s Richard High School. The very next morning, a 20-year-old woman was struck by a vehicle near the Rush University Medical Center. According to Chicago police, the woman suffered a broken hip and was treated at Chicago’s Stroger Hospital. 

For pedestrians in the greater Chicago area, the risk of being struck by a motor vehicle is very serious and all too familiar. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, more than 4,600 pedestrians were injured in car accidents in 2016 across the state. Of those injuries, 150 ultimately proved fatal. 

Illinois State Police are continuing to investigate a collision that took place recently on I-94. The accident, which occurred near the Bishop Ford Expressway, only involved one vehicle, but it resulted in fatal injuries to a pedestrian. 

Thousands of pedestrians across the country choose to walk to work each day. While walking is an environmentally-conscious, healthy, and therapeutic way to make your commute to work, it does come with a certain level of danger. In 2015, 129,000 Americans were hospitalized due to injuries suffered in pedestrian accidents. If you or a loved one suffer an injury while commuting to work, it is entirely likely that your injuries were due to the negligence of a driver. 

Pedestrian Injuries Across the United States 

Pedestrian injuries continue to pose a major problem, especially throughout America’s urban centers. In 2015 alone, 5,376 American pedestrians were fatally injured in motor vehicle collisions. That means that an American pedestrian is fatally injured every two hours. Due to the size and weight of motor vehicles, pedestrians are highly likely to suffer fatal injuries in a collision. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in pedestrian accidents than motor vehicle drivers or passengers. 

Throughout the United States, a pedestrian is killed every one and a half hours. In total, 5,987 pedestrians were fatally injured in motor vehicle collisions throughout 2016 alone. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this represented a nine percent increase in total pedestrian fatalities in comparison to 2015.

With an increased number of Chicagoans out to enjoy the summer months, this time of year represents an increased risk of pedestrian accidents. If you or a member of your family are injured in a motor vehicle accident this summer, you should be sure to understand your options for pursuing compensation for the damages you have suffered.

Practicing Pedestrian Safety