Wrong Way Michigan Avenue Accident Causes Pedestrian Injuries

An accident in Chicago in early July reminds downtown workers and pedestrians to be extra cautious when entering crosswalks or crossing a road. An elderly motorist drove down the wrong way on Michigan Avenue in rush hour and hit two people, causing them injuries. After hitting the pedestrians, the driver crashed into a vehicle and caused that car to push into another automobile.

Inevitably, some form of driver inattention caused the elderly woman to drive down a busy city street the wrong way. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that an estimated 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes are due to driver inattention. Inattention – whether caused by picking something up in the car, using a cell phone, or drowsiness – seems to be the major causes of these types of crashes.

Although elderly drivers are noted as some of the safest drivers, studies show that these drivers become more accident-prone after they reach 74 years of age. Slower reflexes and eyesight problems associated with aging can cause more accidents. The NHTSA reports, “…older drivers accounted for 16 percent of all traffic fatalities, 15 percent of vehicle occupant fatalities and 19 percent of pedestrian fatalities.”

Driving the wrong way or on the wrong side of the road causes more than three percent of deadly accidents. A total of 53,000 pedestrians nationwide were hit and injured by vehicles according to the latest statistics. Urban areas, such as downtown Chicago, are more likely to have car-pedestrian collisions, and thus the need for everyone to take more safety precautions. PEDSAFE, an initiative of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, recommends that pedestrian safety is best when the sight distance and visibility of motor vehicles and pedestrians is improved. Traffic signals, road and intersection design, and education are crucial to continually inform drivers and walkers of their rights and responsibilities.

People who are injured in a pedestrian accident can suffer serious injuries. In a car-pedestrian accident, the auto driver’s insurance should be responsible for the bodily harm. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can make sure you receive compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering that a negligent driver caused. The Chicago accident attorney and SuperLawyer Paul A. Greenberg, Esq. has years of experience handling accidents involving pedestrians. The Chicago car accident attorney team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg works with experts, including accident reconstructionists and medical planners, to ensure that your rights to current and future expenses are vigilantly upheld.

To learn more, visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com or call 877-595-HURT (4878).

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg

351 West Hubbard Street, Ste 810

Chicago, IL 60654

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