A Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer discusses the recent tragedy
As a pedestrian in Chicago, your safety is largely in the hands of motorists. Far too often, drivers are reckless and end up hitting people with their cars, causing severe and sometimes fatal injuries. Tragically, a recent crash involving a pedestrian on the South Side of Chicago served as a painful reminder that negligent drivers are still a problem on our roads.
The victim in the crash mentioned above was on a sidewalk when she got hit by a car. Not in the street. Not even in a crosswalk. Yet, she became another Chicago pedestrian traffic fatality when a reckless driver ran a red light.
Police say the 52-year-old victim was waiting for a bus to take her to work at about 10 a.m. on Sept. 28, 2021, in Auburn Gresham when a 26-year-old man driving a Chrysler 300 ran a red light while northbound in the 8100 block of South Racine Avenue. Police say the Chrysler collided with a Chevy Impala, sending the Chrysler into a spin. The Chrysler then struck the victim at the northwest corner of the intersection before it crashed into a restaurant.
The victim was ultimately pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center, and an infant riding in the Impala was listed in fair condition at the time of this writing. The 23-year-old driver of the Impala suffered a broken arm, and the driver of the Chrysler who ran the red light was not injured but did flee from the scene of the crash. He later was apprehended, and citations were pending.
Witnesses attempted to assist the victim but were prevented by fumes from a broken gas line at the restaurant.
We need to protect pedestrians
The Chicago region, with an increase in traffic fatalities over the past decade, is under a federal mandate to reduce fatalities and injuries. Officials believe the danger to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians also increased due to the pandemic. When fewer vehicles were on the street, they say, drivers developed dangerous habits and misjudged their margin for error.
In response, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) earlier this year said it was creating a Regional Traffic Safety Agenda. Among the areas to be addressed are “the four Es:” engineering, education, enforcement, and emergency services. They include such areas as speed management and improved infrastructure. CMAP plans to consult with experts, conduct research and analysis, and develop policies and solutions.
Safety advocates believe more can be done now instead of waiting for the results of a study. They say, for example, that installing more speed cameras based on crash data that is already available would have an immediate impact on driver behavior while serving notice that officials are serious about addressing traffic and pedestrian safety. Drivers who know they are under camera surveillance may be less likely to run red lights, leading to fewer bad car accidents.
Protecting your rights
If you or a loved one got hit by a car in Chicago, you can learn more about the legal options available to you by contacting our law firm.
The Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys at Coplan & Crane have years of experience helping victims just like you in Chicago, Oak Park, and throughout the Midwest. Let us hold the at-fault driver accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We work cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t have to pay us anything upfront, and you pay no legal fees unless we win your case. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today for a free case consultation.
