Edwardsville Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Edwardsville, IL

If you were struck by a vehicle while walking in Edwardsville, the injuries you’re facing may be severe. Broken bones, head trauma, internal bleeding, spinal cord damage. Pedestrians have no barrier between themselves and a two-ton vehicle.

You don’t have to fight this battle alone. Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols has represented injured clients across Illinois since 1938. Our Edwardsville, IL pedestrian accident lawyer will protect your rights and pursue every dollar your case is worth.

Why Choose Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols for Pedestrian Accident Cases in Edwardsville, IL?

Attorneys Who Have Recovered Millions for Injury Victims

Our firm handles pedestrian accident cases as part of a broader personal injury practice that spans car crashes, truck collisions, premises liability, workplace injuries, and wrongful death. That range of experience matters because pedestrian accidents often overlap with other areas of law. A pedestrian struck in a parking lot might have a premises liability claim against the property owner. A pedestrian killed by a commercial vehicle may involve federal motor carrier regulations.

Zachary A. Pashea focuses on representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases. He has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients, handling everything from railroad worker injuries to product liability and toxic tort disputes. Zach is licensed in Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado, and holds admissions to U.S. District Courts in the Southern and Central Districts of Illinois and the District of Colorado. He attended Lindenwood University and earned his J.D. from SIU School of Law in Carbondale. In 2017, the 3rd Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee recognized him with the Pro Bono Rising Star Award.

Joe C. Pioletti represents clients in personal injury, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, and criminal defense. Joe is a graduate of Eureka College and Southern Illinois University School of Law. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and practices across multiple federal district courts in Illinois and Indiana. When a pedestrian accident involves a hit-and-run or a driver facing criminal charges, Joe’s background in both civil and criminal law gives our firm a strategic advantage.

Over 80 Years Serving Illinois

The firm was founded in 1938. Over more than eight decades, we’ve built a reputation for representing real people against insurance companies and negligent parties. We know how adjusters work, we know how they undervalue claims, and we know how to push back.

You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

Pedestrian accident cases at our firm are handled on contingency. No retainer, no hourly fees. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.

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“Attorney Irubiel Ferrer was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. He walked us through the process and what to expect going forward. He was also very responsive to any further questions. During daunting times, Irubiel Ferrer made it clear through both word and action he was in our corner and we’re very thankful for that.” – Mike Cheeseman

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Edwardsville

Pedestrian accidents happen in a variety of settings, and each scenario raises different questions about liability, evidence, and damages. We represent pedestrians injured in situations including:

• Crosswalk accidents. Drivers in Illinois are required to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. When a driver runs a red light, rolls through a stop sign, or fails to check before turning, the pedestrian pays the price. These are some of the most straightforward liability cases we handle.
• Intersection collisions. Intersections along Route 157, Illinois Route 159, and throughout downtown Edwardsville see regular pedestrian traffic. Left-turning drivers who fail to scan for pedestrians, and right-turning drivers who focus only on oncoming traffic, cause a disproportionate number of these crashes.
• Parking lot accidents. Distracted drivers backing out of spaces or cutting through parking rows at excessive speed injure pedestrians in shopping center lots, grocery store parking areas, and office complexes. These crashes may involve both the driver and the property owner if the lot was poorly designed, lacked adequate signage, or had obstructed sightlines.
• Hit-and-run incidents. One in four pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2023 was struck by a hit-and-run driver, according to federal data. If the driver who hit you fled the scene, you may still have options for recovery through uninsured motorist coverage or other avenues. We investigate these cases aggressively to identify the responsible party.
• Distracted driving crashes. Drivers texting, scrolling, or otherwise looking away from the road are a leading threat to pedestrians. These drivers often don’t brake at all before impact, which makes the resulting injuries catastrophic.
• Drunk and impaired driving crashes. Alcohol involvement was a factor in 46% of all pedestrian fatalities in 2023, according to NHTSA pedestrian data. When an impaired driver strikes a pedestrian, the injured person may be entitled to both compensatory and punitive damages.
• Truck accidents. Pedestrians struck by delivery trucks, garbage trucks, or tractor-trailers face extreme injury severity. The size and weight of commercial vehicles make survival difficult and recovery prolonged.
• School zone and residential accidents. Children walking to school or playing near residential streets are particularly vulnerable. Speed limits in school zones exist for a reason, and drivers who ignore them can face both civil liability and criminal penalties.

Illinois Legal Requirements for Pedestrian Accident Claims

Under the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-1002 through 11-1007.1), drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and exercise due caution to avoid striking any pedestrian on a roadway. But pedestrians also have obligations. Walking against a signal, jaywalking, or darting into traffic can affect your claim.

That’s where modified comparative negligence comes in. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, if you are found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your share of responsibility. If your fault exceeds 50%, you recover nothing. Insurance adjusters routinely argue that a pedestrian was partially responsible, even when the driver clearly caused the crash. It’s a common tactic, and it works unless you have an attorney who knows how to counter it.

The statute of limitations for pedestrian injury claims in Illinois is two years from the date of the accident. For wrongful death cases, the deadline is two years from the date of death under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180). If the at-fault driver was a government employee operating a government vehicle, a one-year notice requirement under the Illinois Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10) may apply.

Illinois does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases. The state eliminated damage caps for medical malpractice in 2010, and there is no general cap on pain and suffering awards in negligence cases. That means the full scope of your injuries and losses can be presented to a jury.

What Damages Are Recoverable in Edwardsville Pedestrian Accident Cases?

Pedestrian injuries are almost always more severe than what vehicle occupants suffer in a comparable crash. There’s no seatbelt, no airbag, no steel frame absorbing the impact. That severity translates directly into higher medical costs, longer recovery periods, and greater overall damages.

Economic damages include every quantifiable cost tied to your injury. Emergency room treatment, ambulance transportation, surgical procedures, hospital stays, follow-up appointments, prescription medication, and physical rehabilitation are all recoverable. If your injuries require ongoing care, such as chronic pain management or assistive devices, those future costs are included. Lost income covers wages missed during recovery. Diminished earning capacity applies if your injuries permanently reduce your ability to work in your prior field or at your prior capacity.

Non-economic damages address the less tangible but equally real consequences of the injury. Pain and suffering compensates for the physical discomfort you experience during treatment and beyond. Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress are common after a pedestrian accident. Disfigurement and scarring from road rash, surgical incisions, or amputations carry their own compensable weight. Loss of enjoyment of life applies when your injuries prevent you from participating in activities that defined your daily routine before the crash.

Punitive damages may be available if the driver was intoxicated, fleeing from law enforcement, or engaged in other extreme misconduct at the time of the crash. Illinois law now permits punitive damages in wrongful death and survival actions following a 2023 amendment. These damages are not meant to compensate you. They exist to punish conduct that goes beyond ordinary negligence.

According to NHTSA data, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes across the United States in 2023. Another 68,244 were injured. On average, a pedestrian was killed every 72 minutes and injured every 8 minutes. Seventy-four percent of those fatal crashes occurred in dark conditions, and 76% happened at non-intersection locations. These numbers underscore just how dangerous it is to be a pedestrian on American roads, and how important it is to hold negligent drivers accountable when a crash occurs.

Contact Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols

We offer free consultations for pedestrian accident cases in Edwardsville, IL. You pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we recover money on your behalf. Our attorneys will listen to what happened, evaluate your claim, and give you a direct, honest answer about your legal options.

Contact us to schedule a consultation. We respond to every inquiry promptly.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Edwardsville, IL

Walking is one of the most ordinary things a person does, yet it carries real risk on roads built for vehicles. Nationally, NHTSA pedestrian safety figures show that 7,080 pedestrians were killed and more than 71,000 were injured in traffic crashes in 2024. The toll is not evenly spread. According to CDC pedestrian data, about one in five people who died in crashes in 2022 were on foot, and roughly 140,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal injuries that year.

Madison County sees its share of these incidents, particularly along the busier arterials and near pedestrian-heavy areas of Edwardsville. Like those hurt in motorcycle accidents, pedestrians have no protective barrier in a collision. The data reflects a consistent pattern. As vehicle speeds rise, the likelihood that a pedestrian will be struck increases, and so does the severity of the injuries that result.

What to Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident

The minutes and days after a crash shape both your recovery and any claim you may bring. The steps below reflect what we advise clients to do when they are physically able.

• Get to a safe spot and call 911. If you can move without worsening an injury, get out of the roadway. Request police and medical help right away. The call generates an emergency response and starts the record that later supports a police report.
• Accept medical evaluation at the scene. Adrenaline masks pain, and serious conditions such as internal bleeding and head trauma are not always obvious in the moment. Letting paramedics check you over protects your health and documents the injury early, which matters if an insurer later questions whether the crash caused it.
• Gather information if you are able. Note the driver’s name, license plate, and insurance details. Photograph the scene, your injuries, the vehicle, and conditions like lighting, signals, and crosswalk markings. If anyone saw what happened, ask for a name and phone number. Witnesses are far easier to reach in the first hour than weeks later.
• Make sure the crash is reported. A driver who struck you may downplay the event or leave entirely. An official report creates a neutral account that insurers and, if necessary, a court will rely on.
• Be careful with statements to insurance companies. The driver’s insurance company may contact you within days of the crash, often presenting itself as helpful and eager to settle quickly. Statements you provide can later be used to minimize the value of your claim. You are not obligated to give a recorded statement before consulting an attorney.
• Follow through on your treatment. Attend every follow-up appointment and complete the care your providers recommend. Gaps in treatment give insurers an opening to argue you were not badly hurt, and consistent records help when medical bills start to mount.
• Talk with a lawyer before you settle. Pedestrian injuries often involve long recoveries whose full cost is not clear at first. An Edwardsville pedestrian accident lawyer can value the claim properly and deal with the insurer while you focus on healing.

Edwardsville Pedestrian Accident Lawyer FAQs

What does an Edwardsville pedestrian accident lawyer cost?

We represent pedestrian accident clients on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront fee, and the fee comes out of a recovery rather than your own funds. If we do not recover compensation, you owe no attorney fee. We also advance the costs of investigating the crash and building the claim, so cost is never the reason an injured person goes without representation.

How long do I have to file a claim in Illinois?

Most pedestrian injury claims in Illinois must be filed within two years of the crash, under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Miss that window and the court will very likely dismiss the case. Some exceptions apply, including a pause for injured minors until age 18 and the discovery rule when an injury surfaces later. Claims involving a government vehicle or agency follow shorter deadlines, so it helps to speak with an attorney early.

What if the driver says I was partly at fault?

Illinois uses modified comparative fault under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. If you share some blame, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, and being found more than 50% responsible bars recovery entirely. Drivers and insurers routinely argue that a pedestrian darted out or crossed against a signal, so how fault is assigned has a direct effect on what you receive. Because a pedestrian is almost always struck by a motor vehicle, these claims share much with a car accident case in how liability and coverage are handled.

What is my pedestrian accident case worth?

It depends on the severity of the injuries, the cost of current and future treatment, lost income, and how the harm affects daily life. There is no set formula, and a credible figure requires reviewing the records. We assess what your claim is worth only after we understand the medical picture and the strength of the liability evidence.

Should I accept the insurance company’s first offer?

In most cases it is wise to have the offer reviewed first. Early offers tend to arrive before the full extent of a pedestrian’s injuries is known, and once you sign a release, the claim is closed. We examine whether a first settlement offer reflects the true value of the case or simply the amount the insurer hopes you will take.

What damages can I recover?

Illinois allows recovery of economic losses such as medical expenses and lost wages, along with non-economic harm like pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. The types of damages available depend on the facts. When a driver’s conduct was especially reckless, additional damages meant to punish that conduct may also be available.

What if the driver fled the scene?

You may still have a path to recovery. Compensation can sometimes come through your own uninsured motorist coverage even when the driver is never identified. We investigate hit-and-run pedestrian crashes by pulling nearby camera footage, canvassing for witnesses, and working with law enforcement to identify the vehicle.

How long will a pedestrian accident claim take?

Some claims resolve in a matter of months. Others, especially those involving serious injuries or disputed fault, take a year or more. Timing depends on how quickly you reach maximum medical improvement and whether the insurer negotiates in good faith. We give an honest estimate of how long it may take to resolve a claim once the facts are clear.

Do I need a lawyer if my injuries seem minor?

A brief consultation is worthwhile either way. Injuries that feel minor at first, such as soft-tissue damage or a concussion, can prove more serious as time passes. Speaking with an Edwardsville pedestrian accident attorney early helps preserve evidence and protects you from settling for less than the claim is worth.

Will my case go to trial?

Most pedestrian accident claims settle without a trial. We prepare each case as though it could reach a jury, because that readiness strengthens our position in negotiations. If an insurer refuses to offer fair value, our attorneys are ready to file suit and try the matter in Madison County.

Local Information for Edwardsville Pedestrian Accident Cases

Most Dangerous Locations for Pedestrians in Edwardsville

Certain areas in and around the city draw heavy foot traffic and deserve extra caution from drivers and pedestrians alike:

• The SIUE campus and University Park Drive corridor, where large numbers of students cross between lots, housing, and academic buildings.
• Governors Parkway, a wide arterial where higher speeds leave little margin for a person on foot.
• Center Grove Road, near schools and shopping, with a steady mix of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
• Main Street and its surrounding blocks, where on-street parking and frequent crossings put walkers close to moving cars.
• School zones near Schwarz Street, where children walking to and from class are especially vulnerable.

Important Local Resources for Edwardsville Pedestrian Accident Cases

If you were hurt while walking in Edwardsville, a few local offices and providers tend to come up as you recover and gather records. The following may be useful.

• Anderson Hospital in nearby Maryville provides emergency and trauma care for much of Madison County.
• The Illinois State Police accept and process crash reports when no local officer is available at the scene.
• Madison County government operates the circuit court and clerk’s office in Edwardsville, where injury suits in the county are filed.

We provide these references for convenience only. Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols is not affiliated with these organizations and does not endorse them.

About Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols

Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols was founded by Don B. Pioletti Sr. in 1938 and has remained a family practice across three generations. Partner Joe C. Pioletti represents injured clients throughout the Metro East, and over the decades our firm has recovered substantial compensation for people harmed by negligent drivers. That continuity gives clients deep Illinois roots, a record built over more than eight decades, and consistent reviews from the people we represent.

What Our Clients Say

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Simple and effective. Mr. Pashea guided us through our personal injury situation with total professionalism and realistic expectations. He took the time to completely understand the issue from our perspective and provided feedback that was actionable and leading towards a resolution in our favor. Many thanks.” – Ravi Sripada

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Contact Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols

If a negligent driver struck you while you were walking in Edwardsville, our attorneys are ready to review the crash and explain your options in plain terms. We offer free consultations in pedestrian accident matters and work on contingency, so legal fees come from a recovery rather than your pocket. During the consultation, an Edwardsville pedestrian accident attorney will look at the facts, answer your questions, and give an honest read on the strength of the claim. Contact us to arrange a time to talk. We respond to every inquiry and will tell you clearly where things stand.