A woman has been killed in a Jefferson Park hit-and-run accident on Chicago’s Northwest Side.
Jeep Involved in Jefferson Park Hit-and-Run Accident
The fatal Jefferson Park hit-and-run accident took place at approximately 10:45 p.m. on September 24, 2021. At that time, a 65-year-old woman was crossing the street in the 4900 block of North Milwaukee Avenue when a tan Jeep traveling north struck her. According to police, the driver of the Jeep did not stop and continued driving north.
The woman suffered head injuries in the Jefferson Park hit-and-run accident. Emergency responders transported her to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, where she later died.
As of Sunday morning, nobody was in custody for the Jefferson Park hit-and-run accident.
Hit-and-Run Accidents Challenging for Victims
Hit-and-run accidents carry stiff penalties for drivers who fail to stop. Guilty drivers may face up to seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000.00 for cases involving injury, and up to fifteen years in prison when a person is killed.
Nevertheless, even with the potential consequences, hit-and-run accidents occur frequently in the United States. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:
- Eleven percent of all traffic accidents in America involve hit-and-run drivers.
- There is more than one hit-and-run accident per minute across the country.
- Since 1986, there has been an average of 682,000 hit-and-run crashes each year.
Moreover, hit-and-run accidents create greater obstacles for injured people seeking compensation. Because hit-and-run drivers leave a crash site before exchanging insurance information, victims may lose a chief source of financial recovery.
But while obtaining compensation in a hit-and-run accident can be more difficult, it is not necessarily impossible. For example, a victim could pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy if the driver is located.
Even if the responsible driver is not located, or if that person does not have sufficient insurance, a victim might still be able to recover financially with uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. UM/UIM coverage is a policy of insurance that can compensate motorists who have suffered damages from drivers who have either inadequate insurance or no insurance at all.
UM/UIM policies typically apply to accidents involving the insured vehicles themselves, but they could also be used to compensate policyholders who are hurt in other vehicles, on bicycles, or on foot. In some cases, people who do not own a vehicle with UM/UIM coverage might be able to obtain compensation if they reside with a close family member who has a UM/UIM policy. A knowledgeable car accident attorney can advise you of your options in these circumstances.
Helping Car Accident Victims in Their Time of Need
As you can see, multiple avenues of recovery may be available even in the case of a hit-and-run crash. However, obtaining a successful result is never a sure thing. To increase your chances of a positive outcome, consider doing what so many others have done before you and retain the services of the car accident attorneys at GWC Injury Lawyers LLC.
With more than $2 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements, GWC is one of the leading Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation law firms in Illinois. No other plaintiff firm in the state is more respected – or more feared – by its adversaries, both inside and outside of the courtroom. Our dedicated car accident attorneys have the experience, the determination, the resources, and the reputation you need to get you and your family get the justice you deserve.
If you or a loved one have been wrongfully injured because of someone else’s negligence, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with GWC today. You may call our office at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with a representative at any time.
<< BACK TO BLOG POSTS