If you got hurt while walking, you may be dealing with pain, missed work, and questions about your rights. Working with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Mount Prospect can help you protect your health and position your claim for fair compensation.
Our team at Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. helps injured pedestrians and families pursue claims. Our team handles investigations, evidence gathering, insurance negotiations, and lawsuits across Cook County and surrounding courts.
To learn more, talk to a Mount Prospect personal injury lawyer today and schedule a free consultation. We have over 75 years of combined experience, and we’re ready to help.
What to Do After an Accident
Your medical care comes first. Even if you felt “okay” at the scene, delayed symptoms are common after an auto-pedestrian crash. Prompt treatment creates a clear medical record that links the collision to your injuries.
If you can, collect information and avoid common pitfalls that can reduce the value of your case. These steps help preserve facts while memories are fresh.
- Call 911 and request both police and EMS.
- Ask for the driver’s name, contact, and insurance details.
- Photograph the scene, vehicles, damage, and your visible injuries.
- Get names and numbers of any witnesses.
- Save clothing, damaged items, and receipts as evidence.
- Decline recorded statements until you speak with an attorney.
Proving Fault and Building Your Case
Under Illinois law, drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, stop at signals, and use due care to avoid collisions. Liability often turns on speeding, distraction, failure to yield while turning, or ignoring traffic controls. We assemble the facts that show how the driver fell short of these duties.
Comparative negligence applies in Illinois. If an insurer claims you were partly at fault—such as crossing midblock or outside the signal—your percentage of fault may reduce your recovery, unless it exceeds 50%. A clear investigation helps counter unfair blame and keeps your claim on track.
Evidence From the Scene
We look for video from storefronts, transit buses, and dash cams, as well as the police report, 911 audio, and event data recorders from the involved vehicles. Skid marks, debris fields, and point-of-rest locations help traffic professionals reconstruct impact mechanics.
Medical records tell the story of force and timing. We connect treating physicians and, when helpful, biomechanical or human factors experts to explain how visibility, lighting, and driver reaction time support your version of events.
Damages Available After a Crash
A Mount Prospect pedestrian accident attorney will evaluate both your economic and non-economic losses. Your damages should reflect the full impact of the collision, not just the first ER bill.
We document bills, wage loss, and future care while also accounting for pain, functional limits, and how the injuries affect daily life. When the crash causes a fatality, the family may pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral costs and loss of support.
- Medical bills, hospital stays, surgery, and rehabilitation
- Future medical needs and assistive devices
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and loss of normal life
- Scarring, disfigurement, and limb or mobility limitations
- Property damage to items like phones, glasses, or clothing
Dealing With Insurers and At-Fault Drivers
Soon after a crash, adjusters may request recorded statements or offer a quick settlement. Early numbers rarely reflect the real value of your claim, especially before you finish treatment. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other side’s insurer.
We handle all communications with insurance companies, set up bodily injury and MedPay claims when available, and coordinate property claims for damaged items. If the driver was working, additional commercial coverage may be available, and rideshare or delivery policies may apply depending on trip status.
Comparative fault arguments are common in pedestrian cases. We answer these arguments with evidence from scene data, video, and medical findings, and we put the timeline in context—lighting, speed, and pedestrian visibility—so fault lands where it belongs.
Illinois Deadlines on Your Legal Claim
In most Illinois personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Wrongful death claims are generally two years from the date of death. Claims against local public entities may have shorter deadlines, often one year, under the Tort Immunity Act.
Several factors can pause or shorten time limits, including claims by minors or suits involving public employees or agencies. Missing a deadline can end your claim. Acting early helps us collect time-sensitive evidence such as surveillance video and vehicle data while it still exists.
How We Help and What It Costs
We start with a free case review. If we take your case, we work on a contingency fee, which means no upfront fees and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We explain costs before you sign, and our agreement is straightforward.
Our team gathers records, orders crash data, and consults with qualified experts when needed. We also help manage medical billing and health insurance liens, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private plans, so more of your settlement stays with you.
Our goal is to build a strong case, present it clearly, and push for a result that reflects the full scope of your losses.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Mount Prospect
If you were injured while walking in Mount Prospect, you don’t have to deal with insurers and paperwork on your own. Our Mount Prospect pedestrian accident attorneys can evaluate your claim, answer your questions, and explain your options under Illinois law.
Reach out to our team at Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. for a free, no-pressure consultation. We will review the facts, map out next steps, and get to work while you focus on your recovery.
The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can secure evidence and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
