Bus accidents in which the victim is a pedestrian can be especially serious. The impact may cause the pedestrian to suffer multiple serious injuries and may also result in the victim becoming permanently disabled. These injuries can include broken bones, ligament damage, nerve damage, and more. The result may end up with the victim having a lifetime of pain and medical care. That is why it is important to make sure you have capable Illinois pedestrian accident attorneys working for you to ensure you get the full recovery you deserve.
The Chicago Transit Authority’s settlement of a Magnificent Mile pedestrian’s case, as reported by the Chicago Tribune, shows just how extensive the harm can be. The 25-year-old woman was walking in the Magnificent Mile area on Jan. 29, 2014 when an event the opposite of magnificent took place. She attempted to cross Michigan Avenue when a Chicago Transit Authority bus struck her. The pedestrian had waited to cross with the “walk” light in her favor, but the bus driver, who was making a right turn when she hit the pedestrian, neither stopped nor slowed down, according to the injured pedestrian’s lawsuit.
When the bus ran over her feet, it crushed both of them. This resulted in multiple bone fractures in each foot. The extent of the woman’s harm wasn’t limited to the broken bones. She also asserted that the accident resulted in her developing a type of nerve injury that is not uncommon in instances in which a body part is crushed. That nerve injury allegedly inflicted severe pain and forced the pedestrian to undergo extensive therapy, with a lifetime of future care required to deal with pain caused by the nerve damage.
Sometimes, when you have very strong evidence of both your opponent’s liability and the extent of your harm, you may be able to resolve your action with a reasonable settlement. A settlement, when your opponent will agree to an appropriate payment to end the case, can be a very helpful way to get you the recovery you need. A settlement means avoiding the time commitment and stress of a trial. It also means speeding up the process of getting you the payment you need and deserve.
NBC Chicago reported that, in Amy’s case, the CTA acknowledged that Amy had the right of way, meaning that the bus improperly failed to yield the right of way. Amy’s strong proof on both liability and her severe and long-lasting harm led the CTA to reach a $6 million settlement with the woman, one of the largest that the CTA has ever paid to an injured pedestrian.
Whether you are 25, 55, or 85, your pedestrian accident can mean serious and, quite possibly, permanent damage that results from your injuries. You may lose income from time away from work, incur massive medical bills, and deal with great and sometimes lifelong pain and suffering. To make sure your case has the attention and skill you need, reach out to the diligent Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca for the experienced advice and advocacy your case deserves. To set up a free case evaluation, contact us at 312-724-5846 or through our website.
More Blog Posts:
TSA Officer Obtains $6 Million Recovery After Train Accident Inside O’Hare International Airport Terminal, Chicago Injury Attorneys Blog, Oct. 17, 2017
Woman Hit By Champaign City Bus Obtains $9M Injury Verdict Award, Chicago Injury Attorneys Blog, March 15, 2017