Analyzing the Facts: Chicago Pedestrian Crashes

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Pedestrian Accidents

A City of Chicago Department of Transportation report shows that Chicago children were the most likely pedestrians to be involved in motor vehicle accidents. High school-age children, ages 15 to 18, had the highest rate of pedestrian accidents, and elementary-age children (five to 14 years) had the second highest crash rate.

While seniors were the second least likely to be involved in a pedestrian crash, the proportion of seniors who were killed in such accidents was higher than other age groups. Frailty and likelihood to be suffering from other debilitating conditions was a probable cause for these disproportionate figures. Seniors were involved in 6.2 percent of pedestrian crashes while they were involved in 9.5 percent of all fatal crashes in the City of Chicago.

The number of pedestrian crashes involving children has decreased in recent years, however. Between the years of 2005 and 2009, “the annual number of pedestrian crashes involving five to 18-year-olds decreased by 28 percent,” from 964 in 2005 to 698 in 2009.

Hit-and-run crashes were the most common type of crashes in the City of Chicago, and accounted for 33 percent of all pedestrian crashes in 2011. The DOT report also noted an average of two hit-and-runs every day that resulted in pedestrian injury or death in the same time period. Hit-and-runs accounted for 40 percent of all fatal crashes in Chicago, compared to 20 percent nationwide, thus making Chicago one of the most dangerous cities in the country to be a pedestrian.

A strong correlation was found between criminal incidents and pedestrian crashes, more than a correlation between income, race, language spoken, and even walkability index. This could be because those who were engaged in criminal activity were not the most aware of their surroundings while crossing the street.

If you or someone you know was injured in an Illinois pedestrian crash, you may be eligible for compensation. Do not go through it alone. Contact a Waukegan pedestrian accident attorney today.