Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys, Services and Consultations
Distractions on the road are more plentiful than ever these days: cell phones, social media, dashboard navigation systems and passengers. This is bad news for pedestrians as the occurrence of pedestrian accidents continues to rise in the United States.
There are precautions that can and should be taken by both pedestrians and drivers in order to avoid pedestrian accidents.
These kinds of accidents are extremely dangerous and devastating and more often than not, result in life-altering injuries. That’s why it is so important that drivers and pedestrians are aware in order to avoid any accidents.
If you were involved in a pedestrian accident, it’s very important that you contact a pedestrian accident attorney to guide you through the lengthy court process so that you can focus on healing your injuries and getting better, it’s common that the driver’s insurance company will automatically try to blame the pedestrian for the accident but an experienced personal injury attorney will not let this happen to you.
Due to the statutes of limitation, the time you have to bring a claim for your injuries is limited. You need an experienced personal injury attorney to guide you through the complex legal process and ensure that you receive the best outcome.
Pedestrian accident injuries are typically severe and can be life-altering. That’s why you need the expertise of our pedestrian accident attorneys to tackle even the most complicated pedestrian cases.
Due to the statutes of limitation, the time you have to bring a claim for your injuries is limited. You need an experienced personal injury attorney to guide you through the complex legal process and ensure that you receive the best outcome.
Pedestrian accident injuries are typically severe and can be life-altering. That’s why you need the expertise of our pedestrian accident attorneys to tackle even the most complicated pedestrian cases.
Here are a few tips to help get the best results for your case.
If you are involved in a bicycle accident and you are able to, always call 911 immediately. If you can, get to a safe place or wave down another pedestrian or driver to help you. It is important you call the authorities immediately and 911 is your fastest way.
Don’t leave the scene before police get there so that you can file an official police report. Some cyclists do not realize that they have been injured until several hours after the accident. By then, it may be too late to identify the at-fault driver, this is why you absolutely must wait for authorities to arrive and document what happened as well as everybody who was involved.
Never tell the driver or police that you are “okay.” This can be used against you in court at a later date. In fact, you don’t even know if you really are okay until you have been cleared by a doctor. Seemingly minor injuries may develop into serious and permanent injuries. When asked if you are alright, simply say "I don't know".
Never try to negotiate with the at-fault driver. The driver may not give you accurate information about his or her identity, insurance coverage, or vehicle ownership. Many drivers who cause a crash will apologize at the scene and accept blame for the collision, but later, after they have had time to consider the consequences of their negligence, will deny that they were negligent. They may even deny that they were even at the accident scene! By waiting for the police, you have an independent third party at the scene of the accident who has the authority to ask for the driver’s identity, registration, and insurance information.
The police officer will be responsible for taking photos of the scene and collecting any evidence for the official police report but you should still take your own pictures as well. Document any damage to the road such as skid marks, damage to the driver’s vehicle as well as yourself and any injuries that you have sustained.
Who is most commonly liable for a pedestrian accident?
Surprisingly enough, studies show that in crashes involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, it is the pedestrian who is usually at fault. Data from Baltimore and Washington, District of Columbia showed 50 percent of pedestrians were at fault and 39 percent of drivers were at fault for accidents. Pedestrians were responsible for crashes by running into roads or intersections. These statistics don’t mean that if you are an injured pedestrian that you will automatically be held liable for your accident, they just show the importance of hiring a reputable personal injury attorney to prove your case in court.
When is a pedestrian accident the pedestrian’s fault? When is it the driver’s fault?
If a pedestrian crosses an intersection while the sign shows “don’t walk” and the pedestrian is hit by a car, then it is the fault of the pedestrian. When accidents occur when a pedestrian is crossing a prohibited road, freeway or highway, they will also be at fault for the accident.
On the other hand, a driver who refused to stop and help a pedestrian after hitting them, whether it was the pedestrian’s fault or not, could be charged with hit-and-run. Drivers will likely be at fault when they hit a pedestrian while backing up, turning or swaying off the road.
Cities across the country are always looking for ways to improve their roads and decrease the number of vehicle accidents and the number of pedestrians getting hit by vehicles. Here are some tips for drivers and pedestrians on how to avoid these types of accidents.
Slow down in pedestrian areas and crosswalks.
Be patient with pedestrians, including senior pedestrians and pedestrians with challenges.
Look for eye contact.
Be especially alert when traveling behind a stopping school bus.
Don’t drive under the influence .
Stick to designated crossing areas.
Don’t assume that a driver has seen you.
Look around for stopped vehicles.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a pedestrian accident you need to contact an experienced accident attorney.
Due to the statutes of limitation, the time you have to bring a claim for your injuries is limited. You need an experienced personal injury attorney to guide you through the complex legal process and ensure that you receive the best outcome.
Pedestrian accident injuries are typically severe and can be life-altering. That’s why you need the expertise of our pedestrian accident attorneys to tackle even the most complicated pedestrian cases.
Call us today and schedule a free consultation.
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