Pedestrian accidents most often occur because a driver was negligent in observing all of their surroundings. Maybe they were focused on traffic at the time. Maybe the pedestrian didn’t use a crosswalk, or they tried running across the street at night. Maybe the driver failed to observe common traffic signals or turned on a green light, forgetting to check if someone had the right of way in the crosswalk. Maybe they were distracted by something inside the vehicle. Whatever the reason, when an auto accident involves a pedestrian, it’s usually serious. Even a car that had slowed down 80% at the time of impact can still cause severe injuries to a pedestrian.

The seriousness of the injury to the pedestrian depends strongly on how fast the car was traveling at the time of impact and whether or not the car was able to stop at all or just plowed through the pedestrian. Injuries can range from broken or fractured bones, torn cartilage or tendons, nerve damage, head and brain trauma, spinal injuries and herniated discs, internal organ injuries as well as various lacerations, bruising and abrasions. As one would expect, the medical bills for such injuries would be extremely high.

Pedestrians who are injured by negligent automobile operators have similar rights and available insurance coverage as drivers who are involved in an automobile accident through no fault of their own. Pedestrians also have special protections within the crosswalks designated for their crossing, or where a pedestrian should be expected to cross, like after exiting a school bus.

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, please seek immediate medical help, as that is both important to your well-being and any legal claim you might have. Following that, consult with a qualified pedestrian accident attorney to learn your rights as a victim in a pedestrian accident. It is important to never speak with insurance adjusters before consulting your attorney. Anything you say can unknowingly lower the amount of compensation you can legally attain or even kill your case completely if you give any indication you were at fault. Always let your attorney handle the insurance adjusters. If you seek our representation, we will squeeze the insurance company for every cent that you are entitled to for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Causes for Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, and most of the time the driver of the automobile is at fault. In such cases, the pedestrian accident occurs because the driver of the automobile:

• Failed to yield proper right of way to the passenger
• Ignored a stop light, stop sign or other traffic signal
• Failed to look right when turning right into a crosswalk
• Failed to acknowledge a stop signal extended from a stopped school bus<
• Was speeding or driving recklessly
• Ignored posted situational speed warnings (school zone)
• Was under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants

If a pedestrian accident was caused by any of the aforementioned reasons, that amounts to negligence on behalf of the motorist. In any case where the pedestrian has the right of way or the driver neglected to properly and safely operate the vehicle while observing laws and surroundings to the degree expected of motorists, a legal case is in favor of the pedestrian.

It is important to seek legal advice to learn your legal rights and maximize your recovery amount. Even if a negligent driver does not carry insurance or enough insurance coverage, other insurance coverage may be available to you within your household, including but not limited to uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your vehicle or a family member’s vehicle residing in your household.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, please contact a pedestrian injury attorney as soon as possible. Fill out the free consultation form to set up an appointment to speak with an attorney about your case.

 

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