Chicago to Compensate Family for Death of Daughter

 Posted on August 01, 2012 in Personal Injury

In May 2006, 4-year-old Maya Hirsch was fatally struck by a car near the Lincoln Park Zoo, an accident both authorities and the victim's family say was caused by a lack of upkeep in the stop sign and cross walk on the street. According to the chtribune, the "city of Chicago is now set to pay $3.25 million to the family… in a case that became a rallying point for traffic safety advocates." The young girl was crossing the street with her mother and 5-year-old brother when David Roth, who initially left the scene, hit her with his car. The young girl's parents sued the city, "alleging that stop signs and other traffic control markings at the intersection were improperly placed or had deteriorated because of neglect." According to the Tribune, city assistant corporation counsel said that the stop sign at the accident location was "at least 2 inches shorter than the 7-foot height required by city statute. In addition, the crosswalk had not been painted for six years before the accident." According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 32 pedestrians were killed and 3,000 were injured in vehicle-related accidents in the city. By mid-July 2012, 531 pedestrians had been killed in 2012 in vehicle-related accidents. The DOT announced a campaign, "Driving Zero Fatalities to a Reality" in 2012. According to the DOT, "too many people are losing their lives on our roads." The DOT says that by "driving defensively, buckling up, putting down your cell phone, slowing down in work zones, wearing the proper gear while motorcycling, and designating a sober driver" are all important steps to reducing these fatalities. If you or someone you know has been injured in a pedestrian accident or affected by one, you may be eligible for compensation. Don't go through it alone. Contact a dedicated Chicago-area personal injury attorney today.