Your Guide to Pedestrian Accident Claim 

Getting into any form of car accident, especially one that involves pedestrians, can be terrifying. There’s a good chance you’ll have to wait a long time to recuperate. Pedestrian accident victims may be in serious financial debt due to medical bills and a lack of income. Pedestrian accident lawyers can assist you in fighting the insurance companies and obtaining the greatest compensation for your pedestrian accident lawsuit.

The St Petersburg personal injury attorney understand your concerns and are prepared to go to any length to ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries or the loss of a loved one. The award-winning legal team will not stop fighting until pedestrian accident victims receive the compensation they deserve. 

What Are the Most Common Reasons for Pedestrian Collisions?

When drivers fail to keep a close eye on the road, the consequences can be disastrous, especially for pedestrians. What, on the other hand, are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents? It usually boils down to careless drivers who engage in risky behaviour, such as:

• Distracted driving or texting while driving are both dangerous.
• At crosswalks, automobiles and bicycles fail to yield to pedestrians.
• At crossroads, turning without looking both ways
• Driving too fast to safely stop in a timely manner
• Disobedience to posted speed restrictions
• Driving while inebriated or under the influence of drugs is illegal.
• Failure to account upstream and downstream traffic flows is one of the design flaws in crosswalk placements.

Pedestrian accidents are significantly more common in cities than they are in rural settings, but they can also happen on country roads. Winding roads with limited vision and fast speeds provide the ideal conditions for a pedestrian automobile accident resulting in serious casualties.

Is it possible that the crosswalk is causing the issue?

Vehicle drivers must surrender the right of way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. But what if the crosswalk is malfunctioning?

It is possible that the driver is not the sole cause of an automobile or pedestrian collision. A pedestrian accident can also be caused by the location of the crosswalk and the road design. Pedestrian safety must be considered by those who construct and maintain public crosswalks. If they don’t, and the crosswalk is hazardous, they could be held liable for a pedestrian accident. Engineering firms and governmental bodies are examples of potential defendants in crosswalk location negligence cases. Allow a pedestrian accident lawyer from any personal injury attorneys law office to assist you in determining who is to blame if you were injured while crossing the street.

Are Pedestrian Collisions a Common Occurrence?

Pedestrian-related crashes will account for 2.7 percent of all recorded traffic crashes in 2020, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Pedestrian accidents, on the other hand, accounted for 12.9 percent of all road fatalities over the same time period.

Pedestrian fatalities have ranged over the last five years, from a peak of 201 in 2018 to a low of 146 in 2020. The majority of pedestrian accidents happen when a person crosses in a designated area, such as a crosswalk, then walks, jogs, or plays.

In 2019, a pedestrian was killed every 85 minutes in road incidents in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 6,205 pedestrians were killed in road accidents.

In Car Accidents, What Injuries Do Pedestrians Suffer?

Because the human body cannot survive the harm inflicted by a collision with a motor vehicle, pedestrian accidents are frequently fatal. Being struck by thousands of pounds of metal can result in serious injuries, such as:

• Deep wounds (lacerations) and bruising (contusions), as well as organ damage
• Concussions and more serious traumatic brain injuries are examples of head injuries (TBI)
• Eye injuries and vision loss can occur as a result of dental or facial injuries.
• Paralysis or other loss of function due to spinal cord injury
• Broken bones or injury to other areas of the musculoskeletal system are examples of orthopaedic injuries.

Is Hiring a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Worth It?

It’s never fun to get into an accident. The aftermath of the disaster, though, is the most difficult part. Dealing with insurance companies, recovering from a serious accident, taking time off work, and even dealing with estate concerns can be stressful and perplexing. You may be thinking if it’s even worth the trouble to hire a pedestrian accident attorney after any form of motor vehicle accident.

However, it is for all of these reasons that you require the assistance of an experienced personal injury legal firm to assist you with your pedestrian accident claim. Attorney will not only defend your claim, but also assist pedestrian accident victims in dealing with insurance companies.

Here are some examples of how a pedestrian accident lawyer can assist you with your case:

• Calculating the Total Loss

Accidents involving motor vehicles are expensive. Not only do you have to consider present expenses; but you also have to consider future costs, such as long-term medical care. Yes, you may be in a lot of debt right now, and a quick settlement will help you get out of it; but by settling now, you will be expected to pay any future obligations out of pocket.

• Contacting the Insurance Company

Even though it’s obvious who caused your pedestrian accident; the insurance company will do everything possible to avoid paying you a reasonable compensation. You’ll need the assistance of an expert vehicle accident lawyer to negotiate with the insurance company and fight for a reasonable payment on your behalf. Only experienced St Petersburg personal injury attorney can secure you a pedestrian accident victory in the courtroom if a settlement cannot be reached.

Frequently Asked Questions on Pedestrian Accidents

What is Pedestrian Negligence, exactly?

A person may be held liable for a pedestrian accident if they act recklessly or carelessly. If a runner dashes out in front of a car without looking both ways and without checking for a crosswalk; the runner may be guilty of pedestrian negligence.

Q: What Happens If a Pedestrian Causes a Collision?

A: If a pedestrian was hit by a car in a pedestrian accident, they may be liable for the driver’s damages, just as an at-fault motorist. This could cover not only property damage and medical costs, but also pain and suffering as well as lost wages. Even if the pedestrian is wounded, they may be held responsible.

Q: Who pays the medical bills after a pedestrian is injured in a car accident?

A: If you were wounded as a pedestrian or hit by a car in an automobile accident in Pennsylvania; you can seek medical coverage by submitting a Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, claim. This implies you can file a claim on your own policy if you have car insurance. If you don’t have insurance or aren’t protected by someone else’s policy; the driver of the vehicle involved in the pedestrian accident will cover your claim. It’s worth noting that pedestrians are exempt from certain tort limits.

Q: What is Bodily Injury Liability Coverage, and how does it work?

A: Every automobile owner in Pennsylvania is required to have bodily injury liability coverage on their auto insurance policy. Any injuries to pedestrians caused by the insured motorist are covered under this policy. A minimum of $15,000 per person and a maximum of $30,000 per accident is required for bodily injury liability coverage.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Pedestrian Accident?

A: Pedestrian-involved collision statutes of limitations differ from state to state. You have two years from the date of the pedestrian accident to submit a pedestrian accident claim in Pennsylvania, for example. Although two years may appear to be a long time, the longer you wait to file a lawsuit, the more difficult it will be to win.