Illinois Pedestrian Accident Attorney

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A pedestrian has nothing between them and an oncoming vehicle. No bumper, no airbag, no seatbelt, just the weight and speed of the car itself. That’s part of why the injuries in these cases tend to be so severe, whether the crash happens on a quiet residential street or a busy downtown corner.

If you or someone you love was hit by a vehicle while walking, running, or simply standing on a sidewalk, an Illinois pedestrian accident attorney can help you understand what happened and what to do next. Since 1984, Robert J. Rooth has represented injured people and families throughout Illinois, fighting for justice when negligence causes harm. As an Illinois personal injury attorney, he works directly with clients from the first phone call through the resolution of their case.

Call now for your free consultation.

Forty Years of Standing Up for People Insurance Companies Underestimate

Insurance companies know pedestrian injuries are often severe from the outset, so adjusters look for any reason to shift some blame onto the injured person. Something as simple as crossing mid-block or standing a few feet outside a marked crosswalk can become the excuse they use to deny or reduce a claim, sometimes within days of the crash.

This is exactly where Robert J. Rooth steps in. Since 1984, Robert has represented thousands of injured people and families throughout Illinois, and he built his practice around a simple idea: clients are people, not case numbers. You won’t be handed off to a case manager or an associate you’ve never spoken with. Robert stays involved in every case personally, from the first phone call through the final resolution, and he’s available around the clock when you need him.

As your Illinois pedestrian accident attorney, Robert pushes back on the assumptions insurance companies try to make about your case. He takes the time to explain what’s happening at each stage, answer your questions honestly, and treat your situation with the seriousness it deserves. More than four decades of experience have taught him how to build a claim that reflects the full impact this accident has had on your life, not just what’s written in the initial medical report.

What’s Really Behind Illinois Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents rarely come down to a single cause. Most of the time, they’re the result of a driver’s momentary lapse, a road design issue, or unsafe conditions that were entirely avoidable. In 2024, pedestrian crashes made up just 1.6% of all crashes in Illinois, yet they accounted for nearly one in five fatal crashes statewide, a reminder of how serious these incidents tend to be even when they’re relatively uncommon. Our Illinois pedestrian accident attorney sees the same patterns come up again and again when investigating how these crashes happen:

• Distracted driving. A driver glancing at a phone, adjusting the radio, or eating behind the wheel can miss a pedestrian crossing the street until it’s too late to stop.
• Failure to yield at crosswalks. Drivers making turns are often focused on other vehicles and fail to check for pedestrians who have the right of way.
• Unsafe turns at intersections. Left and right turns are common flashpoints, especially when a driver is trying to beat a light or squeeze through traffic.
• Backing vehicles in parking lots. Limited visibility and a driver’s assumption that the area behind them is clear can put pedestrians at serious risk.
• Speeding in high-foot-traffic areas. Busy sidewalks and crosswalks, like those along the lakefront or in downtown Chicago, leave little room for error when a driver moves too fast to react.

Responsibility for these crashes usually falls on the driver, but not always. If the driver was working at the time, such as making a delivery, their employer may also share responsibility. And depending on how the crash happened, a poorly maintained road or missing signage could point to other contributing factors as well.

Whatever caused your accident, you don’t have to be the one to piece it together. Call The Rooth Law Firm and let us help you find out what really happened and who should be held responsible. Call us now to discuss your accident claim.

What You May Be Owed After a Pedestrian Accident

The costs of a pedestrian accident often go well beyond the initial hospital bill. Our Illinois pedestrian accident attorney can help you account for all of it, not just what’s obvious in the first few weeks.

Medical Expenses, Now and Down the Road

This includes the ambulance ride, the emergency room visit, and every follow-up appointment after that, but it doesn’t stop there. Surgeries, physical therapy, medical equipment, and any long-term care or accommodations you need going forward should all be part of the conversation.

Insurance companies often try to settle before the full scope of your treatment is clear. We take the time to understand where you’re likely headed medically before agreeing to any number on your behalf.

Lost Income and Earning Potential

If your injuries have kept you out of work, that lost income should be part of your claim. And if you’re facing a longer recovery, or if your injuries affect the kind of work you’re able to do going forward, we’ll also look at what that means for your earning potential over time, not just your next paycheck.

Pain, Suffering, and the Toll This Has Taken

Not every loss shows up on a bill. The physical pain, the emotional weight of a long recovery, and the disruption to your daily life are all real, and Illinois law recognizes that they deserve compensation too.

When a Pedestrian Accident Results in a Loved One’s Death

Losing a family member to a pedestrian accident is devastating, and it’s not something any settlement can undo. When that happens, Illinois law may allow surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost income the family depended on, and the loss of a parent, spouse, or child’s presence in their lives.

If you’ve lost someone you love this way, we can help you understand what a claim on their behalf might look like.

Can I Still Recover Damages if I Wasn’t in a Crosswalk?

Yes, in most cases you still can. Illinois follows a comparative negligence rule, which means you can recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for the accident, as long as you’re found to be less than 51% at fault. If you were partially responsible, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than eliminated entirely.

This matters because insurance companies often try to use a pedestrian’s location at the time of the crash, whether they were mid-block, outside a marked crosswalk, or crossing against a signal, as a reason to deny or reduce a claim. But being outside a crosswalk doesn’t automatically mean you’re at fault, and a driver’s negligence, such as speeding or failing to pay attention, can still be the primary cause of the crash.

Our Illinois pedestrian accident attorney can help push back on unfair assumptions about fault and make sure the full picture of what happened is considered.

Take the Next Step With Someone Who Has Done This for Decades

Things change quickly after you’re hit by a car, and you don’t have unlimited time to act. Medical bills start arriving, work is missed, and an insurance adjuster may already be building a case against you while you’re still trying to heal. On top of that, Illinois law only gives you a limited window to take legal action, so waiting too long can cost you options you didn’t even know you had.

Robert J. Rooth has represented injured pedestrians and their families throughout Illinois since 1984, and he takes the time to walk clients through their options in plain language. You don’t have to sort through any of this alone. Contact The Rooth Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation and find out where you stand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Pedestrian Accident Claim?

Every case moves at its own pace. Some claims settle within a few months, while others, especially those involving serious injuries or a dispute over fault, take longer to resolve fairly. We’d rather take the time needed to build a strong claim than rush toward a quick settlement that shortchanges you. Robert will keep you updated throughout the process and explain what’s happening and why at each stage.

What Should I Do After Being Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian?

Your health comes first. Get checked out by a doctor even if you feel fine, since some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. If you’re able to, take photos of the scene, get the driver’s information, and get contact information from anyone who saw what happened. Try to avoid discussing fault with the driver or their insurance company. Once you’ve taken care of the immediate steps, an Illinois pedestrian accident attorney can help you understand what comes next.

Can I File a Claim if the Driver Left the Scene?

Yes. A hit-and-run doesn’t mean you’re out of options. We can help investigate the crash and work to identify the driver; if that isn’t possible, your uninsured motorist coverage may help cover your losses. We know this kind of situation can feel especially frustrating, since you’re left with real injuries and no one immediately accountable for them. Robert can walk you through what applies to your policy and your case.