Pedestrian accidents: Teen girl struck in Illinois

On behalf of Jeffrey Frederick of Frederick & Hagle posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Friday, October 3, 2014.

For individuals who are getting from one place to another on foot, drivers can be considered a significant danger. Distracted drivers or drivers who simply do not see a pedestrian could be very likely to strike an individual who may have been attempting to cross a street. Pedestrian accidents can easily lead to serious injuries, and in such cases, authorities should investigate closely to determine what may have caused the accident.

A comparable situation recently happened in Illinois when a teenage girl was hit by a vehicle. It was reported that the driver of the vehicle was an off-duty officer driving a city vehicle. A witness stated that the driver was on the phone when he struck the 15-year-old who was attempting to cross the street with other individuals. The group was apparently walking to a convenience store.

The pedestrian suffered injuries as a result of the accident and is considered to be in serious condition. The driver of the vehicle claims to have not been on the phone when the accident occurred, but his phone records are being looked into as part of the investigation. Videos from surveillance cameras of nearby businesses are also in the process of being obtained.

Pedestrian accidents can often lead to devastating outcomes, and the Illinois family may be grateful that their daughter may have a chance to recover. If the phone records or other evidence suggest that the driver of the vehicle may have been at fault, the family may wish to find out more about potential civil claims. A personal injury claim may help them seek damages in order to pay for the necessary care that their daughter will need to recover from her serious injuries.

Source: ksdk.com, “Officer hits 15-year-old pedestrian”, Elizabeth Matthews, Sept. 26, 2014