The Injury Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. take note of the dangers associated with traveling as a pedestrian on busy Chicago roadways, as was demonstrated once again in a horrific auto crash occurring on May 11, 2013, which killed an elderly woman and injured another. The 85 year old victim was crossing the street near the intersection of York and Van Buren in the City of Elmhurt with her grandson a few steps behind her, when both pedestrians were struck by an oncoming vehicle.
Bystander Mark Vorel explained the vehicle’s impact with the elderly victim: “Her body went up and her head hit the windshield and the car threw her, Immediately, I grabbed my phone and called 911.” Both victims were transported to the hospital, where tragically the elderly victim died a short time thereafter. The victim’s grandson is reported to have escaped with only minor injuries. DuPage County Accident Reconstruction Task Force (DuCART) remained at the accident scene for several hours while performing their investigation, and…
The Injury Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. take note of the dangers associated with traveling as a pedestrian on busy Chicago roadways, as was demonstrated once again in a horrific auto crash occurring on May 11, 2013, which killed an elderly woman and injured another. The 85 year old victim was crossing the street near the intersection of York and Van Buren in the City of Elmhurt with her grandson a few steps behind her, when both pedestrians were struck by an oncoming vehicle.
Bystander Mark Vorel explained the vehicle’s impact with the elderly victim: “Her body went up and her head hit the windshield and the car threw her, Immediately, I grabbed my phone and called 911.” Both victims were transported to the hospital, where tragically the elderly victim died a short time thereafter. The victim’s grandson is reported to have escaped with only minor injuries. DuPage County Accident Reconstruction Task Force (DuCART) remained at the accident scene for several hours while performing their investigation, and also reminded drivers to adhere to posted speed limits, as well as to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk .
Witnesses to the crash, as well as local residents who are familiar with this busy intersection, hope the city will implement additional safety measures in an effort to prevent future pedestrian accidents. As stated by Patty Vorel, the wife of bystander Mark Vorel, “Please don’t let her death go in vain.” Both the Vorels and nearby residents suggest that there is a lack of sufficient traffic devices at both this intersection, and surrounding intersections along York, which is a main throughway in Elmhurst.
An additional purported explanation for the dangers of this particular intersection is the landscaped median, which obstructs pedestrians’ view of oncoming vehicles. Others report that ill-marked crosswalks along York make it difficult for motorists to have knowledge of the presence of a crossing pedestrians as they approach. Yet another concern of Elmhurst residents, also shared by many residents located in surrounding Chicago suburbs, is the failure of motorists to adhere to posted speed limits. Shockingly, a significant amount of accidents caused by speeders in Elmhurst involve motorists who actually reside within the city.
Elmhurst residents report that numerous accidents involving pedestrian fatalities have occurred within a mile of the accident site in previous years. A recent residential survey revealed that a primary concern amongst residents is speeding vehicles. Such concern remains despite Elmhurst’s recent implementation of a local ordinance which reduces the speed limit to 25 MPH in residential areas. In response to resident concerns, the City of Elmhurst has begun a comprehensive traffic safety and awareness program. “The goal of the traffic awareness program is to make drivers more conscious of their driving habits and more aware of the danger created for themselves, our children and others when they choose to speed or drive recklessly.”
Program implementers, and residents alike, hope that recent residential speed reduction ordinances and public awareness will combine such that increasing amounts of motorists will begin take notice of the program’s catchy slogan “It’s our town, Let’s slow it down.”
The Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. know that despite public awareness and traffic ordinances, many motorists will nevertheless continue to operate vehicles in unreasonable manners. Sadly, such negligence results in far too many injuries and deaths which could have been prevented.
If you or a loved one were involved in an accident involving a collision between a motorist and a pedestrian, contact the personal injury and wrongful death attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. for a FREE CONSULTATION at (773) 516-4100, or online at www.zneimerlaw.com.