What Is a Pedestrian Accident?
What is a pedestrian accident? In short, a pedestrian accident is what happens when a person on foot is struck by a vehicle.
Pedestrian accidents can happen when you least expect them. If you’ve been involved in one, a Richmond pedestrian accident lawyer can handle your case and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Defines a Pedestrian Accident?
If you’re wondering what pedestrian accidents are, they happen when a pedestrian is harmed due to contact with a vehicle. These incidents typically occur on sidewalks, crosswalks, streets, or parking lots.
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, a Richmond personal injury lawyer can help you pursue damages.
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Who Is Classified As a Pedestrian?
A pedestrian is any individual traveling on foot. This can include walkers, joggers, runners, and people using mobility devices like wheelchairs or walkers.
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Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents have many causes. If you’re wondering what a pedestrian accident is, they’re often the result of:
- Distracted driving: Drivers using phones or other devices may fail to notice pedestrians.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of pedestrian injuries.
- Failure to yield: Drivers who ignore traffic signals or fail to yield at crosswalks can cause accidents.
- Poor visibility: Accidents are more likely to occur at night or in adverse weather conditions.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol or drug impairment significantly increases a driver’s risk of causing a pedestrian accident.
- Jaywalking: Pedestrians crossing outside designated areas or ignoring signals can cause an accident.
If you’ve been injured in one of these ways, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Richmond can help you file a claim.
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Where Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Occur?
Pedestrian accidents usually occur in urban areas with high traffic density. Common locations include:
- Crosswalks: Miscommunication or negligence between drivers and pedestrians can cause accidents.
- Intersections: Left-turning vehicles often pose a threat to crossing pedestrians.
- Parking lots: Vehicles reversing or navigating tight spaces can hit pedestrians.
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Common Types of Pedestrian Injuries
Pedestrian accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, including:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Fatalities
If you’ve sustained any of these injuries, a Richmond pedestrian accident attorney can help you seek damages to cover your medical expenses.
Does Car Insurance Cover Pedestrian Accidents?
Yes, car insurance typically covers pedestrian accidents. The driver’s liability insurance may pay for your medical expenses and other damages if the driver is at fault. If you have your own health or auto insurance, it may also provide compensation.
What Types of Compensation Can You Receive for a Pedestrian Accident?
Victims of pedestrian accidents may be entitled to a variety of types of compensation, such as:
- Medical expenses: These cover hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages: This refers to compensation for time you miss at work due to your injuries.
- Pain and suffering: These damages are for physical and emotional distress.
- Loss of consortium: This refers to compensation for the accident’s impact on your relationships with family members.
- Punitive damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may also be awarded.
An experienced personal injury lawyer in Richmond can evaluate your case and explain the damages you may be entitled to pursue.
Who Can Be At Fault for a Pedestrian Accident?
In pedestrian accidents, fault depends on the circumstances. Potentially liable parties include:
- Drivers: Drivers can be found liable for speeding, distracted driving, or failing to yield.
- Pedestrians: Pedestrians can be found liable for jaywalking or ignoring traffic signals.
- Government entities: The government can be found liable for poorly designed crosswalks or inadequate signage.
- Bicyclists: Cyclists can be found liable for failing to follow traffic rules and colliding with pedestrians.
A Richmond pedestrian accident attorney can assess your case and hold the liable party accountable for their negligence.
What Happens if a Pedestrian Causes an Accident?
If a pedestrian’s actions cause an accident, they may be held partially or fully liable. For example, if a pedestrian suddenly enters traffic outside a crosswalk, they could be considered at fault.
Like drivers, pedestrians have a duty to act responsibly and avoid harming others on the road.
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Pedestrian Accident?
Since every case is different, there is no standard as to how long it takes to settle a pedestrian accident case. Some cases take a few months to conclude, while others take several years.
Factors that can influence the duration of your case include the severity of the victim’s injuries, disputes over liability, and negotiations with insurance companies.
A Richmond personal injury attorney can expedite your case.
How Can You Prevent Pedestrian Accidents?
Both drivers and pedestrians can take steps to reduce the risk of accidents. For example, drivers can obey speed limits, avoid distractions, and yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. For their part, pedestrians can use designated crosswalks and wear reflective clothing at night.
Not every pedestrian accident is preventable. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, a pedestrian accident attorney can help you seek justice.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to observe the following steps:
- Contact the police: Call 911 and report the accident. A police report can serve as an official record and may be critical to your personal injury case.
- Document the scene: If possible, take photos or videos of the accident scene, including damage to vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Also, try to collect contact information from any witnesses who may have observed the incident.
- Exchange information: Obtain the driver’s name, contact details, insurance information, and license plate number.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance provider about the accident, even if the other party is at fault. Avoid making statements that could be interpreted as an admission of fault.
- Seek medical attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, be sure to seek medical evaluation immediately. Some injuries may not be apparent right away.
- Consult an attorney: An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can provide guidance, handle negotiations with insurance companies, and help you seek fair compensation.
How Can a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help Me?
There are many ways in which a pedestrian accident lawyer can help you pursue justice for a pedestrian accident. More specifically, they can do the following:
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence
- Determine liability
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Represent you in court (if necessary)
An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can handle all of the aspects of your case so that you can focus on your recovery with peace of mind.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
Pedestrian accidents can be physically and emotionally traumatizing. What’s more, these accidents often leave victims with insurmountable medical bills.
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone. A seasoned pedestrian accident attorney from The Pendleton Law Team can guide you through the process of filing a claim and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your case and explore your options.
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