Were you or a loved one injured in a Peoria, IL pedestrian accident? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for all of your injuries and losses.
To discuss your rights, contact Joel E. Brown, P.C. For over two decades, our team has fought hard for Illinois accident victims. We handle all types of personal injury cases, including pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and motorcycle accidents. We have experience handling cases with all types of injuries, ranging from minor to catastrophic injuries.
Call us today at 309-673-4357 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
How Joel E. Brown, P.C. Can Help After a Pedestrian Accident in Peoria
Pedestrian accidents are some of the most traumatic accidents. They can cause serious physical and emotional harm. Accident victims are often left with significant financial, personal, and professional hardships after a pedestrian accident.
If someone else caused your accident, you could be entitled to compensation for all of your losses. However, getting the compensation you deserve can be a complicated process – especially while trying to recover and heal from your accident.
Let the team at Joel E. Brown, P.C. fight to get the compensation you deserve. Our team will work hard to maximize your recovery and let you focus on getting your life back after an accident.
Our team has over 30 years of experience in personal injury cases. We’re ranked in The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers and a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We have a track record of success and have recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
When you work with our team, you can trust that we’ll
- Thoroughly investigate your accident to determine all parties responsible
- Collect evidence to support your claim
- Calculate damages to determine the value of your claim
- Work with experts to support your case and claim for damages
- Negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company to get a fair settlement
- If necessary, file a lawsuit and represent you in court
- Discuss your case status and advise you on the best strategy
- Comply with all administrative tasks and deadlines
Schedule a free consultation today so we can learn more about your case and start working for you.
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Illinois
Pedestrian accidents are more common than most people think. Data from the Governors Highway Safety Association reports that In 2023, there were 7,318 fatal pedestrian accidents in the United States.
While many states saw declines in pedestrian fatalities in 2023, Illinois saw a rise in pedestrian deaths. In 2023, 205 pedestrians were fatally injured in accidents, up from 197 in 2022. That means there are around four pedestrians killed every week in Illinois.
Government officials are proactively working to make streets safer for pedestrians. However, pedestrian accidents are still a major concern in Illinois.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Peoria
Many different factors cause pedestrian accidents. Accidents have become more frequent as roadways become increasingly congested with more cars, trucks, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failure to stop at traffic lights or stop signs
- Dangerous road conditions
- Poor visibility
- Dangerous weather conditions
- Aggressive driving
- Reckless driving
After your accident, our team will investigate to determine all causes of the crash. We’ll gather evidence to show all parties responsible for your accident and build a strong case to ensure all liable parties are held accountable.
Common Injuries from Illinois Pedestrian Accidents
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents often result in more serious injuries than other types of accidents. Pedestrians have no protection against the force from vehicles. This can lead to serious injuries and even death.
Some common injuries after pedestrian accidents are:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Burn injuries
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Road rash
In some cases, pedestrian accidents are fatal. If you lost a family member in a pedestrian accident, we can file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf. We’ll work closely with you to hold the responsible party accountable and ensure your expenses are covered after an accident.
Contact us today to discuss your injuries and your right to recovery after a Peoria accident.
How Do I Successfully Recover Damages After a Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrian accident cases are brought under a legal theory of negligence. To successfully bring a claim of negligence, you have to show:
- The responsible party owed you a duty of care–for example, a driver had a duty to obey traffic laws.
- The responsible party breached the duty of care–for example, a driver ran a red light.
- The responsible party’s breach caused your accident.
- You were injured because the responsible party breached the duty of care.
Our team of personal injury lawyers has experience navigating personal injury cases in Illinois. Many cases can be resolved through settlement negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
However, if they’re unwilling to make a fair settlement, our team will file a personal injury lawsuit against them. We know how to establish the required elements in a negligence case and get results for our clients.
Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation. We’ll analyze your case, discuss your rights, and create a legal strategy to get the compensation you deserve.
What Damages Can I Recover After an Illinois Pedestrian Accident
In personal injury cases, accident victims are awarded damages to make them whole after an accident. All injured parties are entitled to compensatory damages, which are used to put victims in the same position they were in before their accident.
There are two categories of compensatory damages: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages compensate victims for monetary losses incurred because of an accident. Non-economic damages reimburse victims for the emotional and psychological impacts of an accident.
Compensatory damages commonly awarded in Illinois pedestrian accident cases are:
- Medical expenses and bills
- Future medical expenses
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost income
- Decreased earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress and mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Decreased enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
In addition to compensatory damages, in some cases, victims can recover punitive damages. These are used to punish wrongdoers and deter bad behavior.
Punitive damages are only awarded when there’s clear and convincing evidence that the responsible party acted with an evil motive, a reckless or outrageous indifference to harm, or a conscious indifference to the rights and safety of others.
While punitive damages are not usually awarded in personal injury cases, they are sometimes available after pedestrian accidents.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case and determine all damages you’re entitled to. Schedule a free consultation to learn more.
How Much Is My Peoria Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
Every pedestrian accident case is different. There’s a wide range of how much these cases are worth. To get an estimate of how much your case is worth, you need to meet with a personal injury lawyer.
Some key factors that impact the value of your case are:
- The severity of your injuries
- The amount of your economic damages
- Your long-term prognosis
- How much your injury impacts your ability to work
- The impact your injuries have on your quality of life
- The limits on applicable insurance policies
- Whether or not fault was shared
To learn more about the value of your case, schedule a free evaluation. We’ll analyze your case to estimate how much it’s worth. Next, we’ll investigate and gather evidence to calculate the value of your case. We’ll build a strong case to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Partly at Fault?
It’s common for the responsible party to blame the injured party after a Peoria pedestrian accident. Illinois follows a legal approach of modified comparative negligence. Under this framework, damages are reduced in proportion to the injured party’s fault.
For example, if you’re 20% at fault for an accident, the amount of damages you’re entitled to will be reduced by 20%. However, if you’re more than 50% at fault, you are not entitled to recover any damages from other parties responsible.
Insurance companies and defense lawyers are notorious for blaming victims to reduce or bar recovery. If the at-fault party blames you for your pedestrian accident, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected.
How Long Do I Have to File After a Pedestrian Accident in Illinois?
Statutes of limitations govern how long you have to bring a claim after an accident. In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to bring a personal injury claim. If you don’t do so within the timeframe, you risk losing your right to recover compensation entirely. Your attorney will be able to discuss these deadlines with you and make sure you don’t miss your chance.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Peoria Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you or a family member were injured in a Peoria pedestrian accident, you could be entitled to compensation for all of your economic and non-economic losses. To learn more about your rights, contact a Peoria pedestrian accident lawyer at Joel E. Brown, P.C.
Our team fights hard for every client and knows how to get results. Call us, contact us online, or visit our Peoria personal injury office to schedule your free consultation.