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When someone dies in a pedestrian accident, the people left behind don’t just lose a person. They lose income, stability, and sometimes the will to fight. Insurance companies know that and use it to their advantage to protect their bottom line.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers have been going up against those tactics since 2002. Charlie worked in the insurance industry before switching sides, so he knows the playbook.
Our fatal pedestrian accident lawyers in Chicago use that knowledge to push back hard for families who deserve real answers. Reach out to us today to find out how we can help you. Choose Charlie.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
Under Illinois law, a wrongful death claim allows surviving family members to seek compensation when a loved one is killed due to someone else’s negligence. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers can help you understand what compensation you may be entitled to and how to pursue it. We work on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we win.
Our goal is to make sure your family is not forced into a bad settlement just because the timing feels impossible.
Negligent drivers who speed, run red lights, text behind the wheel, or drive under the influence cause pedestrian deaths every year in Chicago. When a driver’s carelessness takes a life, Illinois law gives surviving family members the right to pursue justice through wrongful death claims.
With help from our Chicago fatal pedestrian accident attorneys, surviving family members may be able to recover compensation for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Lost wages and loss of income the deceased would have earned
- Loss of companionship and the relationship you had with your loved one
- Emotional trauma suffered by surviving family members
What to Do After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident
The steps you take after a fatal pedestrian accident can have a real impact on your case. Here is what matters most:
- Get a police report. A police report documents the scene, identifies the parties involved, and records initial findings about what happened. This is one of the most important pieces of evidence in any personal injury lawsuit.
- Seek medical attention. If anyone involved survived, get medical treatment right away. Delays in care can be used against you later.
- Document everything. Photos, witness contact information, and any communication from motor vehicle operators or insurance companies should all be saved.
- Talk to a lawyer before talking to insurance. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Before you give any statement, speak with a fatal pedestrian accident attorney in Chicago who understands your legal rights.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations
Under Illinois law (740 ILCS 180/1), there is a strict deadline for filing wrongful death claims and personal injury lawsuits. This deadline is called the statute of limitations, and for most wrongful death cases in Illinois, surviving family members have two years from the date of death to file.
Between grieving, managing finances, and handling the practical aftermath of losing someone, many families put off the legal process longer than they should. Evidence can also disappear over time. The sooner a Chicago fatal pedestrian accident lawyer begins building your case, the stronger that case is likely to be.
Missing this deadline can mean losing your right to compensation entirely, regardless of how strong your case might have been. That is not a risk worth taking. If you are unsure where you stand, the best thing you can do is reach out now and get a straight answer from a team that knows Illinois law inside and out.
How We Build Your Case
Building a strong personal injury claim or wrongful death case takes more than filing paperwork. It takes a thorough investigation, a clear understanding of Illinois law, and the experience to know what insurance companies are looking for and how to counter it.
You also need solid proof to build a wrongful death claim. We examine the police report, gather witness statements, analyze traffic camera footage, and work with accident reconstruction experts when needed. We document medical expenses, calculate lost wages, and account for future loss of income so that nothing gets left on the table.
Charlie’s background on the insurance side means he understands exactly how claims are evaluated and where adjusters look for weaknesses. We close those gaps before they become problems. Every piece of evidence we collect is aimed at building the clearest, most complete picture of what your family has lost and what you are owed.
Contact a Fatal Pedestrian Accident Law Firm for a Free Case Evaluation Today
If your family has lost someone in a pedestrian crash, do not wait. Your legal rights have a time limit, and the insurance company is already working against you. When you work with us, you are not just a case number. You can reach us through our app, upload documents directly, and communicate with our team without the runaround. We go to bat for our clients because that is what they deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation. There are no upfront costs, no fees unless we win, and no pressure. Just honest answers from a team that genuinely cares about your family.
Choose Charlie. We are ready when you are.
