5 Safety Tips for Avoiding an Accident as an Illinois Pedestrian

 Posted on May 29, 2026 in Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can result in devastating injuries and losses. The best thing to do for pedestrian accidents is to prevent them by doing things like staying alert to your surroundings, removing distractions while walking, and crossing streets at appropriate places.

If a car does hit you while walking, you have legal options. A Palatine, IL personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve in 2026.

Why Are Illinois Pedestrian Accidents So Dangerous?

According to recent Illinois Department of Transportation's crash data, 19.7 percent of fatal crashes and seven percent of crashes resulting in injury in the state were from pedestrian accidents. A person who is struck has no protection from the vehicle, often leading to very serious injuries. These can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, and internal injuries, even at relatively low speeds.

The growing popularity of SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans compounds the danger. Research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that vehicles with hood heights above 40 inches are about 45 percent more likely to cause pedestrian fatalities in a crash than vehicles with shorter hoods.

While driver negligence causes the majority of pedestrian accidents, the right habits can reduce your exposure to risk.

What Can You Do to Stay Safe as a Pedestrian in Illinois?

While you cannot control how people drive, there are several ways that you can protect yourself from harm while walking near the street.

Always Cross at Marked Crosswalks When Possible

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1002, Illinois drivers are required to stop and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Even though drivers should yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, crossing at a crosswalk increases the chances that drivers will notice you crossing the street.

Make Eye Contact With Drivers Before You Step Off the Curb

A driver may be slowing down in case someone is in a crosswalk, but that doesn’t mean that they’ve actually seen you yet. Before you step into the road, confirm that approaching vehicles have spotted you and are stopping. Never assume a driver has noticed you just because you're in a crosswalk.

Put Your Phone Away While Crossing

Distracted pedestrians are a growing factor in accident data. Many more people are crossing streets in and out of crosswalks without being aware of their surroundings. Checking your phone or wearing headphones while crossing seriously reduces your awareness of approaching vehicles. Even glancing down at your phone can be enough to miss a car running a red light or making an unexpected turn.

Be Extra Cautious at Dusk, Dawn, and Night

IDOT crash data shows a large number of pedestrian fatalities in Illinois occur during low-light hours. Drivers struggle to spot pedestrians in the half-light of dawn or dusk, especially near street intersections without lighting. If you walk at these times, wearing light-colored or reflective clothing greatly improves how visible you are to approaching traffic.

Watch for Turning Vehicles at Intersections

Many pedestrian accidents don't involve a car driving straight through a crosswalk. Rather, they happen when a vehicle makes a left or right turn while a pedestrian is legally crossing with the signal. Drivers making turns are often focused on gaps in traffic, not on pedestrians in front of them. Even when you have the walk signal, scan for turning vehicles before and as you cross.

What Should You Do if You’re Hit by a Car When Walking in Illinois?

If you're struck by a vehicle, the steps you take right after the accident matter for both your health and any potential legal claim.

Get medical attention immediately. Adrenaline often masks pain. Many serious injuries, such as internal bleeding, concussions, and soft tissue damage, don't have symptoms right away. A prompt medical evaluation addresses this and creates a record that links your injuries to the accident. This is critical if you later pursue a claim.

Call the police and get a copy of the accident report. Document the scene if you're able. This means photographs of the vehicle, the location, traffic signals, and any skid marks or other physical evidence.

Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as you're found to be 50 percent or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation. How much you recover will be reduced proportionally by your share of fault.

Drivers and their insurance companies will sometimes argue that a pedestrian was jaywalking, distracted, or acting unpredictably. Having strong documentation of the scene and experienced legal help can work to counter those claims.

Call an Arlington Heights, IL Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

Pedestrian accident cases are serious matters, and depending on the circumstances of the wreck, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Newland & Newland, LLP has recovered millions of dollars in successful verdicts for injury victims across the Chicago suburbs. Our Palatine, IL personal injury lawyers are local attorneys who value their communities and the clients they serve. We have many decades of combined experience handling cases just like yours. Call us at 847-797-8000 to schedule your free consultation today.