Downers Grove Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Respected Injury Attorneys for Walkers and Joggers Hit By Cars in Downers Grove, Illinois

Pedestrian accidents remain a serious safety concern throughout suburban communities, including Downers Grove, Illinois. While Downers Grove is widely regarded as a safe and welcoming community, traffic collisions involving pedestrians occur with regularity and, in some cases, result in life-changing injuries or fatalities. These incidents affect not only the victims and their families but also the broader community’s sense of safety.

At John J. Malm & Associates, our Downers Grove injury lawyers built a statewide reputation for standing up for injured people and their families when the stakes are highest. With decades of experience handling serious personal injury and wrongful death cases locally and throughout Illinois, we are known for thorough investigations, aggressive advocacy, and compassionate client service. We do not treat cases as numbers or files, we treat them as personal commitments. From the moment a client contacts us, our focus is on accountability, justice, and securing the maximum compensation the law allows so our clients can focus on healing and moving forward.

Pedestrian Crashes in Downers Grove

Pedestrian collisions occur in Downers Grove in a variety of contexts, including roadway crossings, intersections, and near transit corridors. In recent years, multiple fatal and serious incidents have been reported within and near Downers Grove, illustrating the human toll of pedestrian-vehicle conflicts.

For example, in July 2025, a woman was killed after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove. Preliminary investigations indicated she was crossing the street when the collision occurred, and she was pronounced dead at the hospital. Police continue to investigate that crash.

In another tragic set of events in early 2025, two pedestrians were struck and killed in separate collisions with Metra trains in Downers Grove on consecutive days. On February 25, a pedestrian was struck by a Metra BNSF train near the Main Street station, marking at least two fatal pedestrian–train collisions within a 24-hour period in the area.

These local incidents highlight that pedestrian collisions can occur on both roadways and rail corridors, and that the consequences of such accidents can be catastrophic.

Pedestrian Crash Statistics: Statewide and DuPage County

To understand pedestrian risks in Downers Grove, it is important to consider the broader context of pedestrian crashes in Illinois and DuPage County.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) crash data, Illinois recorded 4,533 pedestrian crashes in 2023, resulting in 198 fatalities and 4,244 injuries, including more than 950 serious injuries. These figures underscore the elevated severity of pedestrian collisions compared to other crash types statewide.

Zooming in closer to home, DuPage County reported 129 pedestrian crashes in 2023, including 12 fatal collisions and 112 injury crashes, involving 139 people, of whom 12 were killed and 121 were injured. These numbers demonstrate that the county where Downers Grove is located experiences a substantial number of pedestrian-related collisions.

Statewide trends further indicate that pedestrian fatalities remain stubbornly high even as overall traffic deaths decline. In 2024, IDOT reported approximately 1,103 fatal crashes across Illinois, but 219 of these involved pedestrians, representing a 9.5% increase in pedestrian fatalities compared to 2023. This trend aligns with national patterns of rising pedestrian deaths in recent years.

Local Crash History: Downers Grove Intersections and Pedestrian Risk Factors

The Village of Downers Grove periodically analyzes traffic safety data along key corridors to determine crash patterns. A pedestrian safety analysis conducted for a Main Street and Highland Avenue corridor study covering 2017–2021 showed that:

• Eight pedestrian or pedalcyclist crashes occurred within the five-year study period at signalized intersections in Downers Grove.
• These pedestrian crashes included one fatal collision, two minor injury crashes, two possible injury crashes, and three property damage-only incidents.
• Contributing factors for these crashes included failure to yield right of way and disregard for traffic signals, underscoring the role of driver behavior in pedestrian risk.

This local data demonstrates that even intersections with traffic controls are not immune to pedestrian collisions and that driver compliance with right-of-way rules is a common factor in many pedestrian crashes.

Common Causes and Risk Factors for Downers Grove Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian collisions arise from a combination of environmental, behavioral, and infrastructural factors. In Downers Grove and the surrounding DuPage County, some of the most prevalent risk factors include:

• Failure to yield to the right-of-way: Drivers who do not yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks are a frequent cause of collisions.
• Disregard for traffic signals: Pedestrian and vehicle collisions often occur when drivers or pedestrians ignore red lights or walk signals.
• Speeding and excessive vehicle speed: Higher speeds reduce driver reaction time and increase the severity of injuries when a collision occurs.
• Poor visibility and lighting: Pedestrian crashes are more likely to result in severe injury when they occur at night or in poorly lit areas, especially outside of intersections.
• Railroad crossings and train corridors: Interactions between pedestrians and trains, such as those near the Main Street Metra station, present unique and often fatal risks.

Understanding these risk factors is essential for developing effective prevention strategies, whether through community infrastructure improvements, enhanced lighting, pedestrian education, or targeted enforcement.

The Human Impact of Pedestrian Crashes in Downers Grove

While statistical trends tell us about crash frequency and severity, each pedestrian accident represents a person whose life and family are profoundly affected. Catastrophic injuries from pedestrian collisions, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and internal trauma, often require extensive medical care, long-term rehabilitation, and ongoing support. Fatal collisions leave families grappling with grief and financial uncertainty.

John J. Malm, a Downers Grove personal injury attorney experienced in representing victims of serious traffic injuries, emphasizes the real-world consequences of these crashes:

“When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, the physical injuries are only part of the harm. Families are faced with emotional trauma, medical bills that can be staggering, lost wages, and lasting impacts on quality of life. Our role is to help victims secure the resources they need to move forward with dignity and financial security.”

Legal Rights After a Pedestrian Accident in Downers Grove

Victims of pedestrian crashes may be entitled to compensation under Illinois law. Key legal principles include:

• Driver liability for failing to yield: Illinois law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks and at intersections. When a driver fails to fulfill this duty and causes a collision, the driver may be held financially responsible.
• Comparative negligence: Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning that a pedestrian’s recovery may be reduced if the pedestrian is found partially at fault, provided that the pedestrian’s share of fault does not exceed 50%.
• Types of recoverable damages: Victims may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, disability or disfigurement, and loss of normal life. Wrongful death claims may also be available for families of individuals who died as a result of a pedestrian collision.

Consulting an experienced Downers Grove pedestrian accident attorney can help clarify how these laws apply to a particular case and what steps are necessary to preserve evidence and legal rights.

Frequently Asked Questions about Downers Grove Pedestrian Accidents

Q: What should I do immediately if a pedestrian hits me or a loved one in Downers Grove?
A: If you or a loved one has been struck, seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries do not seem severe initially. Report the incident to police and document the scene, including taking photographs, collecting witness information, and preserving any medical records.

Q: Who is liable in a pedestrian accident?
A: Liability typically falls on the driver who failed to exercise due care, such as failing to yield or obey traffic signals. However, fault can be shared if the pedestrian acted negligently under Illinois’ comparative negligence framework.

Q: Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault?
A: Yes. Illinois allows for recovery as long as your percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. Your compensation will be reduced by your share of fault.

Q: What types of compensation can a pedestrian accident victim seek?
A: Compensation can include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and wrongful death damages where applicable.

Q: How long do I have to file a claim after a pedestrian accident?
A: In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. Starting the process early protects your rights and evidentiary opportunities.

Contact the 5-Star Rated Downers Grove Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Pedestrian accidents in Downers Grove and throughout DuPage County represent a serious public safety issue with real human consequences. While statistics show elevated risks for pedestrians, both on local roadways and near railroad crossings, individual families face the devastating impact of injuries and loss each time a collision occurs.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Downers Grove or the surrounding area, it is essential to speak with a qualified legal team promptly. Contact the top-rated Downers Grove pedestrian accident attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates for a free consultation. We are dedicated to helping injured pedestrians and their families understand their rights, navigate the legal process, and pursue full and fair compensation for losses. Let us put our experience to work for you.