Chicago Pedestrian Hit and Run Attorney

Pedestrians Have Strong Rights Under Illinois Law

Illinois drivers owe pedestrians a high duty of care. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks, exercise caution near schools and transit stops, and never leave the scene of an injury crash. When a driver strikes a pedestrian and flees, they commit a felony under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, on top of any civil liability for your injuries.

Chicago sees a high volume of pedestrian crashes given its density, busy arterial streets, and heavy foot traffic in neighborhoods like the Loop, Wicker Park, and Lincoln Park. Fault often rests clearly with the driver, especially when you were lawfully crossing.

Recovering Compensation When the Driver Flees

When the driver who hit you cannot be identified, your claim typically runs through uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy, or sometimes a household member's policy. Illinois requires this coverage on every auto policy, and it applies to "phantom vehicle" crashes where the driver left the scene.

If you do not own a car, you may still have access to UM coverage through a resident relative. We investigate every policy that might apply, because pedestrians are often covered in ways they do not expect.

Common Pedestrian Hit and Run Injuries

Because there is nothing between a pedestrian and a vehicle, injuries tend to be severe:

• Traumatic brain injury and concussion
• Spinal cord injuries and fractures
• Broken legs, hips, and pelvis
• Internal organ damage
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement

These injuries can mean months out of work, ongoing therapy, and lasting limitations. Your claim should account for future medical needs and lost earning capacity, not just the bills you have already received. This is legal information, not medical advice; always follow the guidance of your own doctors.

How Common Are Pedestrian Hit and Run Crashes?

Pedestrian deaths are at their highest level in decades. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 7,522 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2022, the most since 1981, which works out to roughly one pedestrian killed every 70 minutes. Pedestrians accounted for 18 percent of all traffic deaths that year.

Pedestrians are especially vulnerable when a driver flees. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that pedestrians and bicyclists make up more than 70 percent of people killed in hit and run crashes, and about one in four pedestrian and cyclist injuries and deaths occur in a hit and run. Common causes include drivers failing to yield at crosswalks, distracted or impaired driving, vehicles turning across a walk signal, and poor visibility at night.

How We Prove a Pedestrian Hit and Run Case

When a driver flees, we build your case from the evidence left behind: the police report, traffic and business camera footage, witness accounts, physical evidence from the scene, and your medical records. We work fast, because footage is often overwritten within days.

Blumenshine Law Group has recovered results for pedestrians struck in Chicago crosswalks, including a $250,000 recovery for a pedestrian who suffered a concussion and cervical disc herniations and a policy-limits recovery against an uninsured hit and run driver. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome; every case is unique. Determining fault depends on the specific facts of your case.