Hurt By A Negligent Driver? Rely On Our Dedicated Illinois Pedestrian Accident Attorneys.

Pedestrian accidents are unfortunately common throughout Illinois. They occur for the same reasons as other car accidents: Distracted and inattentive driving, drunk driving, violating traffic laws and refusal to share the road. And when a giant car collides with a much smaller pedestrian, there is no question as to which party is going to lose.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured (or worse) in a pedestrian accident, our attorneys at Cassian & Carter LLC are ready to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our lawyers have decades of combined legal experience – in and out of the courtroom – and they have earned a reputation for providing personalized attention and exceptional service to clients. From our Joliet office, our firm serves clients throughout the surrounding areas of Illinois.

Pedestrian Accidents Commonly Result In Catastrophic Injuries

Because of the obvious size and weight difference between an automobile and a human body, it should come as no surprise that pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities. Here are some of the most common:

• Broken bones: Fractures in arms, legs, ribs, and other parts of the body.
• Head and brain injuries: Concussions, traumatic brain injuries and other head trauma.
• Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spine, which can lead to paralysis or other severe complications.
• Internal injuries: Damage to internal organs, which may require surgery.
• Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and tears in muscles, tendons, and ligaments that often lead to significant and chronic pain.
• Psychological trauma: Victims may suffer from emotional distress, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They may need months or years of therapy.

Sadly, many pedestrian accidents result in death. If you’ve lost someone you love to the actions of a negligent driver, our caring attorneys can help you seek accountability and compensation in a wrongful death claim.

How Much Is Your Claim Worth? The Answer Can Be Complicated.

If you’ve suffered catastrophic injuries like those discussed above, your road to recovery is going to be long, difficult and expensive. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that you secure an appropriately high level of compensation. It is hard to calculate these costs on your own, and insurance companies have no interest in helping. They want to settle your claim as quickly and cheaply as possible.

Our attorneys have decades of combined legal experience in personal injury law, and they know how to accurately assess the value of your claim. In calculating your total losses, they will:

Evaluate medical costs: They will help you gather all your medical bills, including future treatment costs, to ensure you don’t miss any expenses.

Calculate lost wages: If you’re unable to work due to your injuries, they can calculate your lost income during the recovery process. If you suffer a permanent disability and can no longer work in your chosen field (or work at all), these calculations must include reduced earning potential and loss of future earnings.

Assess pain and suffering: These are categorized as “noneconomic damages,” since there is no objective financial loss associated with pain and suffering. You nonetheless deserve adequate compensation, even if it is difficult to calculate. Our lawyers will help quantify the emotional and physical pain you’ve endured, which can be included in your compensation claim.

Consider seeking punitive damages: Illinois law allows victims to seek punitive damages if the conduct of the at-fault party was particularly egregious or they acted maliciously. If you were struck by a drunk driver with a very high blood-alcohol content, or you were purposely struck by a driver with road rage, for instance, punitive damages might be awarded.

When our pedestrian accident attorneys take your case, they will work tirelessly to maximize your compensation and to ensure that no available money is “left on the table.”

Establishing Fault After An Illinois Pedestrian Accident

Many pedestrian accident claims are contested. And unfortunately, pedestrians are too often blamed for their own injuries. Therefore, it will likely be necessary to prove that the driver was at fault. That’s where our team comes in. We take a thorough and methodical approach to building a case against the at-fault driver.

First, we collect all the evidence we can from the scene, including video or photo evidence taken from nearby security cameras. We will also incorporate any evidence you may have collected right after the accident, including photos of the accident site and witness contact information. Police reports are also valuable as they provide an official account of the incident.

Next, we examine the details of the accident in light of Illinois traffic laws to determine who was at fault. Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks and intersections, but they also have responsibilities, such as obeying traffic signals and not darting into traffic. If the driver violated a traffic law, like speeding or running a red light, this could clearly indicate fault.

Proving negligence is another important aspect. Negligence means that the driver failed to act with reasonable care. To establish this, our team will need to show that the driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injuries as a result. For example, if the driver was distracted by their phone, this breach of duty could be the basis for your claim.

Finally, we will help you gather all necessary documentation, including medical records and evidence of lost wages and other expenses/losses. In many cases, our preparation proves strong enough that insurers are willing to settle out of court. If they refuse, however, we are more than ready to take your case to trial, where our lawyers have a strong track record of success.

Discuss Your Options With A Caring Personal Injury Lawyer For Free

From our office in Joliet, Cassian & Carter LLC serves clients throughout the surrounding areas of Illinois. We offer free initial consultations and take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay any legal fees until we help you recover compensation.

To get started, give us a call today at 815-714-7118 or submit an online contact form.