Schaumburg Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Vito & Dollenmaier Law Team

Pedestrian accidents are terrifying. Unless you’ve experienced one yourself, it’s impossible to understand how helpless you must have felt the moment that vehicle struck you. At Vito & Dollenmaier Law, we understand how difficult it can be to recover after being hit by a negligent driver in Schaumburg. As experienced Schaumburg pedestrian accident attorneys, we’ve studied the laws and regulations surrounding pedestrian injury cases in Illinois. Our compassionate team is dedicated to fighting for your rights and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact Vito & Dollenmaier Law today at (224) 539-8821 to schedule a free pedestrian accident consultation, and let us guide you on the path to justice and healing.

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Most Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents in Schaumburg

Elite Lawyer Badge 2024Pedestrian accidents can occur anyplace where walkers and drivers cross paths, including parking lots, sidewalks, suburban roads, and busy intersections. Although pedestrian victims only account for 1.4 percent of traffic accidents in Illinois, they make up nearly 17 percent of fatalities and 6 percent of injury-causing accidents. If you suffered an injury by a negligent driver, you’re not alone. Here are some common areas where pedestrian accidents occur:

Intersections

Intersections are particularly prone to collisions with pedestrians. Failure to yield, distracted driving, and speeding are common causes of intersection crashes involving walkers. Many drivers do not understand that they must yield to pedestrians lawfully crossing the road at busy intersections, including waiting to make a right turn even with a green light.

Crosswalks

Crosswalks provide designated areas for pedestrians to safely cross the road. However, even in crosswalks, pedestrians can still fall victim to accidents. Driver negligence, such as failure to yield, can result in striking pedestrians in crosswalks. Additionally, poor visibility and inadequate crossing facilities can contribute to accidents in these areas.

Sidewalks

While sidewalks should provide a safe space for pedestrians, accidents can still occur. Uneven pavement, debris, ice, or snow can create hazardous conditions and increase the risk of slip-and-fall accidents. However, drunk and distracted drivers also contribute to fatal sidewalk injuries. Drunk drivers may drive on the sidewalk in their confusion, and texting while driving often causes drivers to swerve off the road and into designated pedestrian areas.

Parking Lots

Pedestrian accidents can also happen in parking lots, such as at the local deli or amusement parks, particularly when drivers are reversing or not paying attention to their surroundings. Limited visibility, pedestrians walking between parked vehicles, and driver distractions can lead to parking lot collisions and injuries.

Residential Areas

Residential areas in Schaumburg are not exempt from pedestrian accidents. Drivers may fail to obey speed limits or be inattentive to pedestrians in these neighborhoods, especially children playing or people walking their dogs. Increased pedestrian traffic in residential areas further highlights the need for drivers to exercise caution, which is why speed limits are intentionally lower.

If you suffered an injury while on foot in Schaumburg, contact one of our dedicated pedestrian accident injury lawyers today to discuss your claims.

Serious and Fatal Injuries Commonly Suffered in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents result in a disproportionate number of severe and life-altering injuries, including fatalities. The lack of protective barriers makes pedestrians vulnerable to significant harm when involved in collisions with vehicles. Some serious and fatal injuries we commonly see in pedestrian accident cases include the following:

  • Top 40Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI):Pedestrians involved in accidents may suffer traumatic brain injuries when they hit their heads on the ground or a vehicle. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, leading to cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: The impact between the pedestrian and vehicle or pavement can cause spinal cord injuries, which may result in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries often require long-term medical care and rehabilitation, significantly impacting the quality of life for the injured person.
  • Fractures and Orthopedic Injuries: Pedestrians may sustain fractures to their bones, such as arms, legs, hips, or ribs, in vehicle collisions. Broken hips are especially common due to the impact angle. These injuries can be debilitating and may require surgeries, physical therapy, and prolonged healing time.
  • Internal Organ Damage: The force of a pedestrian accident can cause internal injuries, including damage to organs such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys. These injuries more commonly occur in pedestrian accidents due to standard vehicle height and potential crushing. Internal injuries often require immediate medical attention and can be life-threatening.
  • Emotional Distress and Psychological Injuries: Pedestrian accidents can also result in emotional distress and psychological injuries. The trauma of the accident can lead to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions that require professional treatment and support.

Pedestrians injured in Schaumburg traffic accidents should immediately contact one of our personal injury attorneys to discuss recovering compensation for their medical expenses and pain.

Determining Liability After Traffic Accidents Involving Walkers

Determining liability in pedestrian accident cases requires the victim to prove the driver was negligent, meaning he or she failed to operate the vehicle using a reasonable standard of care. Negligence plays a significant role in determining liability for pedestrian injuries. If a driver fails to adhere to traffic laws, such as speeding, running a red light, or not yielding the right of way to pedestrians, he may be held legally responsible for the accident and resulting injuries.

In Illinois, drivers have a duty of care to drive safely and responsibly. Failing to fulfill this duty, such as through distracted driving, drunk driving, or aggressive driving behaviors, can establish liability for pedestrian accidents. Most pedestrian injury cases involve negligent car, bus, or truck drivers but might also involve third-party liability. In these cases, liability may extend beyond the driver involved in the accident.

For example, if a vehicle malfunction or a poorly maintained road contributed to the accident, the vehicle manufacturer or the entity responsible for road maintenance may share liability. Our dedicated legal professionals will analyze every aspect of your case to identify all liable parties and avenues for compensation.

Damages Potentially Available to Injured Pedestrians in Schaumburg

If you suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident in Schaumburg, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. At Vito & Dollenmaier Law, our lawyers might help obtain damages for the following:

  • Litigator of the yearMedical expenses (past and future)
  • Household help
  • Lost income
  • Missed promotions, bonuses, commissions, and business opportunities
  • Lost workplace benefits
  • Pain and suffering

Medical expenses might include hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care. Our pedestrian injury lawyers work with dedicated medical experts to calculate future medical needs and demand fair compensation. If your injuries prevent you from working, you may also be eligible to receive compensation for your lost earnings. It includes the income you have already lost and any future loss of earning capacity resulting from long-term or permanent disabilities.

Pedestrian accidents also cause significant physical and emotional pain and suffering. Compensation for pain and suffering aims to provide financial support for the emotional distress, physical discomfort, and diminished quality of life resulting from your injuries. We might demand insurance settlements for your direct losses, such as medical costs, lost income, and incalculable damages.

In the tragic event a pedestrian accident results in the death of a loved one, certain surviving family members may be entitled to pursue wrongful death damages. These damages can cover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other related costs.

Making Insurance Claims After Schaumburg Pedestrian Accidents

After being involved in a pedestrian accident, you may wonder which insurance coverage applies and how to make a claim. The insurance claims process can be complex in these cases, so you should contact our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys for assistance.

Car Insurance

Illinois law requires vehicle owners to carry minimum mandatory liability insurance. If you suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident, the driver’s car insurance coverage may apply to your claim. This coverage typically includes bodily injury liability, which can compensate you for medical expenses and other damages resulting from the accident.

Personal Car Insurance

If you have your own car insurance, your policy may provide coverage in certain scenarios. For example, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can protect you if the driver who caused the accident does not have sufficient insurance to cover your damages or fled the scene. This is true even if you weren’t in a vehicle at the time because the accident still involved a motor vehicle.

Health Insurance

Your health insurance may cover medical expenses following a pedestrian accident. However, it is important to review the terms and limitations of your policy and any potential subrogation rights that your health insurance company may have. This means they may demand reimbursement for paid medical expenses from any eventual settlement.

The insurance claims process is daunting in pedestrian accident cases. Consulting with our pedestrian accident attorneys can help you understand your rights, maximize your chances of obtaining a fair settlement, and alleviate the stress associated with handling insurance negotiations on your own.

Estimating Pedestrian Accident Case Value and Settlement Timelines in Schaumburg

Estimating the value of your pedestrian accident case and predicting the settlement timeline can be challenging. Each case is unique, and various factors can influence the compensation you may receive and how long the process takes. Factors that may impact your case value and settlement timeline include the following:

  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates ForumSeverity of Injuries: The extent and severity of your injuries often determine the value of your case. More severe injuries that result in long-term or permanent disabilities generally have higher settlement values to account for ongoing medical treatment, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
  • Medical Expenses: The total cost of your medical expenses, including past and future treatment, is a significant factor in estimating the value of your case. Documentation and evidence of your medical bills and treatment history are essential for supporting your claim.
  • Lost Earnings and Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working or have a long-term impact on your earning capacity, these factors can increase the value of your case. Detailed records of your lost earnings and professional evaluations of your loss of future earning capacity can strengthen your claim.


Insurance companies will try to minimize the settlement amount they offer. Legal representation can level the playing field during negotiations, ensuring that you receive a fair settlement based on the unique circumstances of your case. However, settlement timelines can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the case, the willingness of the insurance company to negotiate, and potential court proceedings. Our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys can provide guidance on the expected settlement timeline and advocate for your rights throughout the process.

The Benefits of Hiring a Pedestrian Accident Attorney at Vito & Dollenmaier Law

When it comes to seeking compensation for your pedestrian accident injuries in Schaumburg, retaining a pedestrian accident lawyer from Vito & Dollenmaier Law is the right decision. Here’s how our experienced legal professionals can make a difference in your case:

Investigation and Evidence Gathering

Even in the most obvious cases, you have the burden of presenting evidence of driver negligence. We will thoroughly investigate your pedestrian accident, gathering evidence to support your claim. It includes obtaining accident reports, witness statements, videos, photos, medical records, and expert witness reports, if necessary.

Negotiation with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are often focused on minimizing their payouts by denying or belittling your injury claims. Our lawyers will handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance companies, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve. We will fight for the best possible settlement on your behalf.

Trial Representation

While many pedestrian accident cases are resolved through negotiations, there are instances where we must sue the negligent parties in court. If your case proceeds to trial, our experienced trial attorneys will provide strong representation and advocate for your interests.

Contact Our Dedicated Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Schaumburg

Joseph V. Vito
Joseph V. Vito, Schaumburg  Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

At Vito & Dollenmaier Law, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a pedestrian accident can have on your life. Our compassionate legal team is dedicated to providing the support and guidance you need during this challenging time. We will be with you every step of the way, ensuring that you receive the care and attention you deserve after a devastating Schaumburg pedestrian accident.

Contact us today at (224) 539-8821 or online to schedule a free consultation. Let our experienced Schaumburg personal injury lawyers fight for your right to financial compensation after a devastating pedestrian accident.

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