Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Representing Pedestrian Accident Victims Nationwide
Pedestrians injured by automobile collisions can suffer injuries requiring lifelong treatment. The costs of doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications can quickly exceed the annual income of most families. Pedestrian accident victims can often feel they have nowhere to turn, but our experienced team at Matthews & Associates is here to help fight for justice.
If you were recently struck by a vehicle, our pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to help you take legal action and hold responsible parties accountable. Our experienced legal professionals regularly represent pedestrians injured by negligent, careless, distracted, or drunk drivers throughout the United States. We stand ready to work as hard as humanly possible to get injured pedestrians the compensation they deserve, and we are ready to put our experience to work for you. With significant compensation already recovered for thousands of clients, you can trust we have what it takes to win.
Schedule a free initial consultation today by calling (888) 923-7001 or contacting us online. If we take your case, you will owe us nothing unless you recover.
We may file or settle a claim individually or as part of a group on a case-by-case basis.
Whether your claim is filed individually or as part of a group fighting the same defendant, our goal is always to provide each of our clients with individual attention.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
You may have been doing everything right. You may have looked both ways, only used a marked crosswalk, and exercised caution at every turn. Still, a negligent driver may have appeared from seemingly nowhere and knocked you off your feet – or worse.
When you suffer any injuries in a pedestrian accident, there are several important steps you should take to protect yourself:
- Find safety first. Secondary accidents can cause just as much damage as initial collisions. You should do everything you reasonably can to get out of the road to a safe spot to avoid being hit by another car or truck. When possible, try to move objects or debris from the road to save additional risk to yourself or others.
- Contact authorities. Dial 911 for an ambulance if anyone needs immediate medical care. You should also contact the police to properly document the accident.
- Collect information. You should exchange identity and contact information with the motorist(s) and any other parties involved in the accident. Document as much as possible before leaving the scene. Photographs and witness contact information can all be very useful if there is a future dispute over who was most at fault. You should avoid making any statements to the motorist(s) about fault or what you believe happened. Because your recollection of the accident may fade over time, you should privately record your account of what happened after leaving the scene. These thoughts should include as much detail as possible, including information about the weather, the location of the car, the moments leading up to the collision, and any other relevant information.
- Assess injuries. If you think you are experiencing no pain after being hit by a vehicle, keep in mind that you may be in shock. It is usually prudent to obtain medical care, if only as a precaution. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible following an accident can help minimize injuries and prevent further complications. Many internal injuries can only be properly identified by trained professionals, including traumatic brain injuries and concussions. Serious pedestrian accidents also present a risk of spinal cord injury, so you should move with extreme caution to avoid aggravating any damage.
- Consider legal options. Get in touch with our team at Matthews & Associates to start exploring your legal options for recovering compensation.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Our pedestrian accident attorneys are prepared to represent you if your injuries were the result of any kind of driver negligence, including:
Most pedestrian accidents are preventable, and driver negligence is frequently to
blame. Drivers owe a legal duty of care to everyone sharing the road, including
pedestrians. This duty of care requires that drivers operate their vehicles responsibly,
adhering to all traffic laws and regulations, to ensure the safety of others. Any
deviation from this standard, such as driving recklessly or being distracted, may
constitute a breach of this duty. If this breach of duty results in a pedestrian
accident, the driver can often be held liable for the pedestrian's injuries and any
other resulting damages. Negligent behaviors such as speeding, distraction, or failing
to observe the right of way in these areas can lead to severe pedestrian accidents.
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Distracted DrivingDistracted driving is a major risk factor for pedestrian accidents. This includes any activity that takes the driver's attention away from the road, such as texting, using a GPS, or eating. When drivers are not fully attentive, they may fail to notice pedestrians crossing the road or walking along the roadside.
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SpeedingExceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions is another common form of driver negligence. Speeding shortens a driver's reaction time and increases the distance needed to stop, making it harder to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
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Driving While IntoxicatedDriving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol significantly impairs a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely. Impaired drivers may have slower reaction times, blurred vision, and impaired judgment — all of which increase the likelihood of pedestrian accidents.
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Failure to YieldMany pedestrian accidents are caused by drivers failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks or intersections.
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Ignoring Traffic Signals and SignsDrivers who run red lights or stop signs put pedestrians at considerable risk.
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Ignoring CrosswalksOne crucial traffic rule that drivers often neglect is respecting crosswalks. Crosswalks are designated for pedestrian use, offering them a safe passage across busy roads. When drivers disregard these marked areas, pedestrians' lives are put at significant risk.
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Failing to Turn on Headlights At NightDrivers are legally required to use headlights from sunset to sunrise or in poor weather conditions to ensure visibility. Failing to turn on headlights at night or in low light conditions can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.
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Failing to Exercise Caution with High Pedestrian TrafficParking lots, shopping centers, schools, and other areas with high pedestrian traffic require drivers to exercise increased caution. Typically, these areas have vehicles moving in multiple directions and pedestrians walking in close proximity, making them hotspots for potential accidents.
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Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way?
While it is often assumed that pedestrians always have the right of way, this is not necessarily the case. Laws vary from state to state, and although pedestrians do typically have the right of way in many situations, there are also instances where they must yield to vehicles. Understanding these rules is crucial not only for drivers but also for pedestrians, as it helps everyone share the road safely.
In general, pedestrians have the right of way at all intersections and crosswalks. If there are traffic control signals present and in operation, pedestrians must obey the signals, crossing only on a green walk signal and not starting to cross if the signal indicates "don't walk" or shows a red hand.
Outside of intersections and crosswalks, rules can be less clear-cut. If a pedestrian is crossing the road in an area without a crosswalk (commonly referred to as jaywalking), the pedestrian may be found at fault in the event of an accident. Jaywalking is illegal in many places due to the increased risk it presents.
It's also worth noting that, in some jurisdictions, pedestrians may be required to yield the right of way to vehicles when crossing at unmarked locations if the vehicle is close enough to present an immediate hazard. In these cases, the pedestrian is expected to stay off the road until it's safe to cross.
Even when pedestrians don't technically have the right of way, drivers are still generally expected to take all possible actions to avoid hitting them. If you were struck by a vehicle – even if you did not have the right of way at the time of the collision – you should still get legal advice. Our pedestrian accident lawyers are happy to discuss your rights and legal options.
Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Filing a personal injury lawsuit may be your best option if you were hit by a car or truck. In this form of civil legal action, a pedestrian injured due to negligence may sue to recover monetary damages for personal injuries and other losses. We are committed to helping our clients achieve the maximum compensation possible.
Damages potentially available to a pedestrian injured by driver negligence include, but are not limited to, compensation for:
- Past and future medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income due to missed work
- Lost earning potential
- Repairing or replacing damaged property
Time limits apply to filing pedestrian accident lawsuits. A procedural rule known as a statute of limitations can prevent a case from ever being heard by any court if it is not filed in a timely manner. The exact time limit will depend on the state where the accident occurred. In New York, for example, pedestrian accident victims typically have three years from the date of the collision to start the legal process. In California and Texas, however, pedestrian accident victims only get two years. Our pedestrian accident attorneys can help ensure you do not miss a deadline.
If you or someone you love was recently injured in a pedestrian accident, do not hesitate to call (888) 923-7001 or contact us online.