Chicago Pedestrian Crash at Belmont and Pulaski Highlights Winter Visibility and Yielding Duties

On the morning of December 5, a 67-year-old pedestrian was struck by a Ford pickup truck at the intersection of Belmont Avenue and North Pulaski Road in Chicago's Belmont Cragin neighborhood. The intersection is a high-traffic area serving both residential and commercial traffic, with connections to local parks, businesses, and CTA bus routes. Surveillance video indicated that the truck’s windshield was partially obscured by snow, which is relevant under Illinois law that mandates clear driver visibility. The pedestrian was crossing with the walk signal when the driver, while turning westbound on Belmont Avenue, ran over her. Both parties had been stopped before the signal changed, highlighting the driver’s duty to yield to pedestrians lawfully in crosswalks, regardless of the turning direction or traffic signals. Chicago police cited the driver for failure to yield to the pedestrian, emphasizing Illinois traffic laws that protect pedestrians' right-of-way in crosswalks at signalized intersections. The law also prohibits operating a vehicle with any material obstructing the driver’s clear view, including snow on windows or mirrors. These statutes form important legal duties relevant to negligence claims in pedestrian injury cases. Following the incident, emergency responders arrived promptly to assist the injured pedestrian, who was transported to a local hospital. This case illustrates key concerns in winter driving safety, particularly regarding visibility and vehicle operation in snowy conditions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends fully clearing snow and ice from vehicles and exercising caution near crosswalks in such weather. The incident also highlights recurring issues in Chicago pedestrian safety: complex intersections with multiple turning lanes, high pedestrian volumes, and environmental factors like snow accumulation near curbs that can push pedestrians into hazardous positions. The city’s Vision Zero program aims to address these risks through improved crossing design, signal timing, and visibility enhancements. For insurers and legal professionals, this case reinforces the importance of evidence gathering—including video footage, witness statements, and police reports—to establish liability and counter comparative fault claims, which insurers commonly use even when pedestrians have the right-of-way. Documentation of windshield conditions and timing of the pedestrian signal are critical in establishing breach of duty. Illinois is an at-fault state for auto insurance claims, with liability typically resting on the driver if negligence is proven. Early consultation with a legal expert is advisable for those injured to understand claim timelines and rights. Civil claims related to personal injury in Illinois generally must be filed within two years of the incident, with specific provisions for wrongful death and government entity involvement. Public records such as police reports and emergency dispatch logs can be accessed via the City of Chicago's Freedom of Information Act portal, supporting comprehensive case investigations. Additionally, the Illinois Department of Transportation provides crash data analysis valuable for understanding broader safety trends in similar urban intersections. Beyond legal and insurance frameworks, this case emphasizes operational safety practices: drivers must maintain full visibility through unobstructed windshields and yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks, especially in winter conditions where snow and ice heighten risks. Pedestrians and drivers share responsibilities to follow signals and maintain vigilance to prevent collisions. Ultimately, the collision at Belmont and Pulaski serves as a pertinent example of the interplay between traffic laws, driver duty, environmental conditions, and urban infrastructure design, underscoring the complexities of pedestrian safety and insurance liability in metropolitan areas during winter months. The situation advocates for proactive evidence preservation and informed legal consultation for those involved in similar incidents to protect their rights and interests.