Types of Pedestrian Accidents and Safety Organizations in Chicago

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

There is more to a pedestrian accident than simple negligence on either the part of the pedestrian or the driver. Some types of pedestrian accidents are often overlooked and considered a driving problem; it can be easy for a pedestrian to forget that he or she is just as responsible for street safety as other types road users. This is particularly true in large cities such as Chicago where a great number of people use pedestrian throughways.  The City of Chicago counts pedestrian accidents as any that involve a motor vehicle in which a pedestrian was the first point of contact with the vehicle.

The number of pedestrian accidents has decreased dramatically in recent years in Chicago, according to the City of Chicago. In 2009, there were only 3,130 pedestrian crashes, representing a nine-year low. One major type of pedestrian crash is one that involves alcohol. According to National Traffic and Safety Administration statistics, though it is not technically illegal, alcohol impairment could be as serious as a problem for walkers as it is for drivers. Like the overall number of pedestrian accidents, these have declined in recent years. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas much more frequently than rural, but only in number. A staggering 25 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur in rural areas where vehicle speeds are higher than on city streets. This is something to pay special attention to on the suburban outskirts of major cities like Chicago.

There are several types of pedestrian safety programs that the city of Chicago administers. Several of these involve Chicago Police Department or the Chicago Department of Transportation. The Mayor’s Pedestrian Advisory Council meets four times a year to act as an interdisciplinary body of stakeholder groups and local, state, and federal representatives on pedestrian safety. Another group is the Safe Routes for Seniors programs, which conducts safety presentations that address the unique pedestrian needs of the elderly. Other safety initiatives are more concrete: such as the countdown timers that were installed on nearly 50 percent of signalized intersections in Chicago by the end of summer 2011. Another concrete initiative are refuge islands and curb extensions, which allow pedestrians more walkway space on otherwise difficult to cross streets.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a pedestrian crash in which you were not at fault, you may be eligible for compensation. Do not go through it alone. Contact an experienced Lake County accident attorney today.