What Are Your Rights as a Pedestrian in Illinois?

 Posted on March 28, 2022 in Personal Injury

Warmer weather is right around the corner, and more people will be out walking for exercise, commuting to work, or running errands. However, what started as a healthy pursuit could turn dangerous if you are involved in an accident with a motor vehicle. After years of falling pedestrian accidents and fatalities, numbers have risen again in the last five years, with hundreds of pedestrians injured every year. In 2021 alone, 215 pedestrians were killed in Illinois traffic crashes. Negligent drivers may be speeding, driving recklessly, distracted by cell phones or other devices, or simply not looking out for pedestrians.

Pedestrian Rights and Responsibilities in Illinois

According to the Illinois Secretary of State, pedestrians have the right of way in the following circumstances. Drivers must come to a complete stop and then yield to a pedestrian:

• When a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk.

• On school days, when children are in close proximity to a school zone crosswalk.

• A driver must yield to a pedestrian.

• When a pedestrian is in an unmarked crosswalk on the driver's side of the roadway, and there are no traffic control signals.

• When making a turn at any intersection.

• When making a lawful turn on a red light after coming to a complete stop.

• After coming to a complete stop at a stop sign or flashing red signal at an intersection.

• When a pedestrian enters a crosswalk before the traffic light changed.

• When a pedestrian is walking with a green light, to a walking person symbol or a walk signal.

• When a pedestrian is leaving or entering a street or highway from an alley, building, private road, or driveway.

• When a pedestrian is entering an intersection with a flashing yellow arrow.

Pedestrians must also obey all traffic control devices and other road markings. Pedestrians must use marked crosswalks when they are provided. If there is no marked crosswalk, they must yield to any vehicles on the road.

It is important to know your rights as a pedestrian and realize that not all drivers will obey the law. If you were a pedestrian injured in an accident with a motor vehicle, we can help you take legal action against the driver involved to seek reimbursement for your medical bills, loss of wages due to time away from work, and any pain and suffering.

Let a Schaumburg Personal Injury Attorney Help

It is essential to find a pedestrian accident attorney who will conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances of your accident and hold the negligent driver accountable. Contact an Arlington Heights pedestrian lawyer at Newland & Newland, LLP. Call us at 847-797-8000 for your free consultation today.

Sources:

https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/FatalCrash/historicsnapshot.html

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/traffic_safety/bikepedsafety.html

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1815&ChapterID=49