Illinois pedestrian accidents could lead to civil claims

On behalf of Jeffrey Frederick of Frederick & Hagle posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Though vehicles traveling along roadways are a common occurrence, vehicles and drivers can still pose considerable threats. These threats could be considered even more substantial to pedestrians who are walking near roadways. Pedestrian accidents can lead to severe or fatal injuries, and if family members lose a loved one under such circumstances, they may wish to explore their legal options.

It was recently reported that a hit-and-run pedestrian accident resulted in the death of one individual in Illinois. According to reports, a woman driving an SUV hit a pedestrian, struck a police car and then continued traveling. It was unclear where the pedestrian was in proximity to the roadway when the accident took place. Though the driver left the scene, authorities were later able to locate the individual.

The pedestrian was transported from the scene with serious injuries, but she sadly was unable to recover from those injuries and died. She was 54 years old. The driver of the SUV is currently facing charges of reckless homicide, improper lane use, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and multiple other allegations. It was not mentioned whether the driver of the SUV was injured in the incident. 

Pedestrian accidents can often leave many individuals feeling helpless, especially if family members lose a loved one as a result. Due to the outcome of this Illinois accident, filing a wrongful death claim against the driver considered at fault could help the surviving family members work toward gaining financial redress. If the driver is convicted of the criminal charges pending against her, there may be an increased chance of success for a related civil claim.

Source: Orland Park, IL Patch, “Driver Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run“, Lauren Traut, July 22, 2015