When you’re on foot in Chicago, exploring before sunrise or walking home after a long shift, you rely on drivers to pay attention. When they don’t, pedestrians pay the price. A split second of rushing through a turn or looking down at a phone can leave you with life-changing injuries.
If you were hit while walking, you’re probably dealing with pain, medical bills, missed work, and a lot of uncertainty. Many of the people we help tell us the same thing: they never imagined they’d need a lawyer. We understand. But when a driver’s carelessness turns your life upside down, you deserve someone in your corner who knows how to hold them accountable.
A Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates can step in and help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward. We’ve spent decades standing up for injured workers, families, and everyday people across Illinois, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
Call (800) 985-1819 for a free consultation.
Why choose Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates for your pedestrian accident case?
When you’re injured in a pedestrian accident in Chicago, you need a team that knows how to take on drivers, corporations, and every insurance company involved. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we’ve spent generations standing up for accident victims across Illinois. We fight for people who deserve fairness when someone breaks the rules of the road.
Pedestrian accidents in Chicago are often severe because people on foot don’t have adequate protection against the force of a vehicle. We see injuries that change a person’s ability to work and care for their family. That’s why we take these cases personally.
Our team knows the tactics insurance companies use to delay claims. We push back with evidence and witness statements when needed. From the first free consultation, we’re focused on protecting your rights and helping you rebuild.
You can expect consistent communication and an experienced legal team that won’t back down from legal action when it’s necessary. If filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit is the best way to secure compensation, we’ll be ready
How pedestrian accidents happen in Chicago
Pedestrian accidents in Chicago happen for many reasons, but nearly all of them come down to driver negligence. Across Chicago, we often see crashes in places where traffic is dense. Busy areas near the Loop, River North, and West Loop have heavy foot traffic, especially during business hours. Neighborhood corridors like the Six Corners in Wicker Park are also common sites of serious pedestrian accidents.
Common causes of pedestrian accidents in Chicago include:
- Failing to yield in a crosswalk
- Ignoring traffic signals or turning on red without checking for pedestrians
- Speeding or aggressive driving in dense neighborhoods
- Distracted driving, especially near bus stops and CTA train stations
- Poor visibility during early morning or late-night commutes
Each of these behaviors violates a driver’s responsibility under Illinois law. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Chicago can help you gather evidence and determine who’s responsible. We obtain police reports and witness statements to build a clear picture of what happened, because determining fault is the foundation for any pedestrian accident case.
Who is responsible for a pedestrian accident in Chicago?
After a pedestrian accident in Chicago, one of the first questions people ask is “Who’s paying for all this?” Under Illinois law, several parties may be responsible depending on how the crash happened and the negligence involved. Our job is to identify every source of compensation so you aren’t left carrying the burden alone.
Parties that may be financially responsible include:
- Drivers who failed to follow traffic signals or yield: Most pedestrian accidents in Chicago happen because a driver was speeding, distracted, or failed to yield at a crosswalk. When a driver violates their duty of care, they can be held liable for the injuries they cause.
- Hit-and-run drivers: When the driver leaves the scene, we look to your uninsured motorist coverage, nearby surveillance footage, license plate readers, and witness accounts to help you recover compensation.
- Commercial or employer vehicles: if the driver was working at the time of the crash (e.g., delivery vans, contractors, or rideshare services), we investigate whether the employer shares responsibility.
- Government entities: If poor road design, broken traffic signals, or unsafe crosswalks contributed to the crash, the City of Chicago or another public entity may share liability. These claims have special deadlines under Illinois law.
- Other at-fault parties: Defective brakes, malfunctioning signals, or negligent vehicle maintenance can shift responsibility to manufacturers or repair shops.
Pedestrian accident cases often involve more than one liable party. We look at every angle so nothing is missed, and you have access to the full amount of compensation the law allows.
How we prove liability in a pedestrian accident case
To hold the driver responsible, we focus on clear evidence that shows how they failed to follow Illinois law. Since insurance companies often try to blame pedestrians, we move quickly to gather the proof needed to protect your claim and your right to compensation.
Here’s the type of evidence we rely on:
- Police reports: These often document speeding, failing to yield, ignoring traffic signals, or hit-and-run behavior. They’re a key starting point in most pedestrian accident cases.
- Camera footage: Chicago has extensive red-light cameras, speed cameras, CTA station cameras, and private security cameras.
- Witness statements: People walking nearby, waiting at bus stops, or standing in crosswalks often see the impact. Their accounts can help show the driver’s actions leading up to the crash.
- Scene evidence: Skid marks, crosswalk placement, debris patterns, and vehicle damage help us understand impact and speed, especially in serious injury cases.
- Medical documentation: Your medical records show the extent of your injuries, the treatment you need, and how the accident affects your daily life.
Putting this evidence together allows us to show exactly how the crash occurred and why the insurance company must accept responsibility.
What compensation is available after a pedestrian accident in Chicago?
A pedestrian accident can lead to injuries that change your daily life and your long-term health. Illinois law allows accident victims to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit to recover compensation for the losses they’re facing. The goal is simple: to help you rebuild after a driver’s negligence causes harm.
Here are the types of compensation your case may include:
- Medical bills: Emergency care, surgeries, follow-up treatment, medication, physical therapy, and any future care you’ll need. Pedestrian injuries often require long-term treatment, so we work to account for everything.
- Lost wages: Many people we represent can’t return to work right away, or they must work fewer hours during recovery. You can seek compensation for the income you’ve already lost and, in serious cases, for future earning losses.
- Pain and suffering: Being hit by a vehicle is traumatic. Illinois law allows compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and how the accident affects your daily life.
- Permanent injuries or disabilities: If the crash leaves you with lasting mobility issues, scarring, or long-term medical needs, those impacts are part of your claim.
- Wrongful death damages: When a pedestrian is killed, their family can pursue damages with a wrongful death lawyer for the loss of financial support, companionship, and other related losses.
Every pedestrian accident case is different. We take time to understand how your injuries affect you, so the compensation we pursue reflects the full impact of the crash.
How Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates supports accident victims
When people come to us after being injured in a pedestrian accident, they’re often overwhelmed. They’re facing medical bills, lost wages, and pressure from the insurance company. We take that weight off your shoulders.
We handle all communication with the insurance company, so you don’t have to deal with pressure tactics. We also investigate the crash to uncover every contributing factor and identify all liable parties.
We’ve been fighting for injured workers, families, and accident victims in Illinois for more than a century. Our team calculates full damages, including long-term medical needs and future income loss. When needed, we will help you negotiate for a fair settlement that reflects the true impact of your injuries and take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to pay what’s fair.
FAQs about pedestrian accidents in Chicago
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, most pedestrian accident victims have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If a government agency is involved, for example, if a broken traffic signal contributed to the crash, the deadline can be shorter.
Why is medical care so important after being injured in a pedestrian accident?
Seeing a doctor right away protects both your health and your case. Insurance companies look for any delay in treatment to argue your injuries aren’t serious or came from something other than the crash. Immediate medical care helps document your medical bills and pain and suffering, both of which are key parts of your claim.
Who pays for my medical bills and lost wages after a pedestrian accident?
If a driver violated their duty of care, their insurance company is usually responsible for covering your medical bills and lost wages. If more than one party contributed to the crash, like a commercial driver, we pursue every source of compensation available under Illinois law.
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company already made an offer?
Yes. Early offers almost never cover the full cost of medical care or long-term pain and suffering. A lawyer can evaluate whether the offer is fair and negotiate for the compensation you truly deserve.
How much does it cost to hire Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates?
You don’t pay anything up front. We work on a contingency fee, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. The consultation is free, and there’s no risk in reaching out.
Speak with a Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer today
If you were injured while walking in Chicago, whether in a marked crosswalk, near public transit, in a neighborhood, or in a hit-and-run, you deserve a legal team that fights for working families and stands up to the insurance company.
Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates has been protecting injured Illinois residents for more than 100 years. We’ll investigate what happened, explain your rights, and fight for the full compensation you’re owed.
Call (800) 985-1819 or contact us online for a free consultation with a Chicago pedestrian accident attorney.
Local resources
Here are some places people often turn to after a pedestrian accident in Chicago.
Chicago Police Department
3510 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60653
Rush University Medical Center
1620 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60612
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
251 E. Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611
Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT)
30 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60602
Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates – Chicago Office
25 E. Washington St., Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60602
