A Profile of Surviving Unhoused Struck Pedestrians in Illinois

This study investigates the injury severity and public healthcare burden associated with unhoused pedestrians struck by motor vehicles in Illinois during 2023. By linking crash and hospital discharge records, this analysis reveals significantly elevated injury severity and medical charges among unhoused individuals compared to the general population. The typical charge per unhoused patient was $133,000, with 84% billed to public insurance. Contributing factors include advanced age, nighttime crashes, poor infrastructure, and substance use. Findings highlight critical gaps in demographic and non-fatal outcome data, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to improve pedestrian safety for vulnerable populations.