PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT LAWYER
Pedestrians are some of the most defenseless travelers on the roads. Tragically, every 85 minutes in the U.S., one pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash — and those most to die in pedestrian accidents are children and the elderly (source: NHTSA).
Like other traffic collisions, pedestrian accidents are often caused by negligent actions. When that happens, victims can turn to a pedestrian accident lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers for help recovering.
For more than two decades, we have been providing exceptional representation and compassionate counsel to help people just like you recover when it matters most. No matter how complex a pedestrian accident case may be, we know how to get justice and the maximum compensation available.
Find out how we can help you by reaching out for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers has recovered millions in all types of pedestrian accident cases. Your claim and recovery could be our next victory.
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What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents?
The negligence of drivers, pedestrians, and/or others can play a role in causing pedestrian accidents. The following takes a closer look at the negligence that often hurts and kills pedestrians on the roads.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
- About 17% of all traffic deaths involve pedestrians.
- Each year, there are more than 6,200 pedestrian accidents in the U.S.
- Over the past 20 years, fatal pedestrian accidents have increased by about 3%.
- About 70% of those killed in pedestrian accidents are males.
- More than 1 in every 4 pedestrian accidents involves a hit-and-run accident.
- When pedestrian accidents happen at night, it’s twice as like that alcohol is involved.
- Most pedestrian accidents occur on Fridays or Saturdays between 6 p.m. and midnight.
5 Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident
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Call 911:
If anyone is injured or if any wreckage is blocking traffic, you want police on the scene ASAP. You’ll also want to call 911 if any involved party is impaired or if anyone leaves the scene of the crash. -
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See a doctor ASAP:
Don’t ignore pain after a pedestrian accident. With legal counsel and medical attention, earlier interventions often mean better outcomes. Getting medical care ASAP can also ensure the damage and injuries you suffered in the crash are documented. -
3
Collect evidence:
Get the name(s) and contact information of the other parties in the accident and any available witnesses. As you do this, also take pictures and videos of the accident scene, visible injuries, people at the scene, and damage to any vehicles in the accident.
Pedestrians can be difficult for drivers to see. Blind spots, other vehicles, and traffic conditions can prevent drivers from seeing pedestrians. Beyond these factors, drivers can also end up hitting pedestrians when:
- They are impaired: Impairment can include intoxication, fatigue, and distraction. These impairments can mean motorists don’t see pedestrians until it’s too late.
- They violate traffic laws: Running red lights, making unexpected turns, or otherwise failing to comply with the rules of the road can also cause drivers to collide with pedestrians.
With driver negligence and pedestrian accidents, it’s also key to know that:
- More than one motorist can be negligent.
- After a pedestrian accident, it’s not always immediately clear if driver negligence is involved or if it’s the only contributing factor to a crash.
A pedestrian accident attorney at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers can help you figure out if driver negligence caused your pedestrian accident and, if so, who’s liable.
Sometimes, pedestrian accidents happen because of vehicle-related issues. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other vehicle problems can cause drivers to lose control of their cars and hit pedestrians. Similarly, unsecured cargo on trucks can fall off or cause rollovers, which could also harm pedestrians.
In these accidents, the negligence could come in the form of defective vehicle equipment and/or failures to maintain vehicles. Depending on the vehicles involved, multiple manufacturers and companies could be liable.
Road design and traffic features can be pivotal to keeping pedestrians safe on the streets. Issues like (but not limited to) the following can create unsafe road conditions and contribute to pedestrian accidents:
- No sidewalks or crosswalks
- Broken or missing traffic signals
- Poorly situated signs or intersections
- Poorly setup highway work zones
- A lack of roadway lighting
- Blind, sharp turns
Cities, counties, and/or others can be liable for pedestrian accidents caused by dangerous road conditions.
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4
Be careful about what you say:
Never admit fault, apologize, or guess about the facts. If you talk about what happened, only mention the facts you’re completely confident in. That goes for when you talk to police, other parties at the scene, and insurance companies. -
5
Talk to a lawyer:
A pedestrian accident lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers can explain your legal options for recovering.
Do I Have a Pedestrian Accident Case?
It’s time to talk to a lawyer if you need a definitive “Yes” or “No” about a pedestrian accident case.
That’s because several situation-specific factors need to be examined in order to figure out if you have a pedestrian accident case. Some of these include:
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The statute of limitations
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Which parties are at fault for the accident
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The available evidence (in hand or obtainable)
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The injuries and losses caused by the pedestrian accident
Do I Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
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1You think or know you have a pedestrian accident case.
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2You’re ready to learn more about your rights and liability for a pedestrian accident.
The reality is that having a pedestrian accident case doesn’t mean it will be easy to obtain compensation.
The process can be complex and, at times, adversarial. Without an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer, it’s far more likely that:
- Important case deadlines are missed.
- Evidence that could help a claim is lost forever.
- Victims get wrongly blamed for causing the accident or their injuries.
- Victims end up losing out on some or all of the compensation they may deserve.
What Compensation Is Available for Pedestrian Accident Claims & Victims?
Survivors of pedestrian accidents — and families who have lost loved ones to deadly pedestrian accidents — can be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Those vary from claim to claim because they depend on the injuries, pain, suffering, and other losses victims have suffered. That can mean it takes complex calculations and skill attorneys to determine and obtain pedestrian accident compensation.
Generally, however, compensation for pedestrian accident claims can cover (but not limited to):
- Medical bills
- Lost wages, benefits, and bonuses
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral expenses (after deadly construction accidents)
- Loss of consortium
An Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Is Ready to Help You Now
When you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident, time and insurance companies are not on your side. And you don’t have to fight for justice alone. A pedestrian accident lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers can help you recover.
Tireless, resourceful, and highly skilled, we are proud to offer exceptional representation to the victims of negligence. Discover the difference our team can make in your case and recovery by contacting us today.