Road sign hit after a pedestrian accident

An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer is a huge blessing for anyone suffering after being hit by a vehicle. Walking should be a safe activity, but if a negligent driver is on the road walking can be fatal.

Pedestrian accidents are caused by many things, including driver negligence, absence of a marked crosswalk, or even low visibility. Whatever the reason may be, pedestrian accidents are unbelievably common and can cause serious injuries.

It is important to have an attorney or lawyer with considerable experience dealing with the insurance company on your behalf. If you wish to discuss your claim with Alexander Shunnarah Personal Injury Attorneys without any charge or obligation, call 1-800-229-7989.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Distracted Drivers

Driving is a discipline that requires dedicated focus. Every driver has due diligence to stay focused on the road, and not be distracted by things around them.

Unfortunately, all too often drivers are trying to multitask and their focus becomes impaired. There are many ways that drivers get distracted. The following are examples of distracted driving:

  • Cell phones: making calls or texts
  • Radio: changing stations
  • Eating
  • Drinking
  • Talking to passengers
  • Checking GPS
  • Daydreaming
  • Aggressive or Reckless Driving

The reasons are widespread. All these activities and others compromise the driver’s ability to focus on what is important.

Speeding

This one is a no-brainer. You could say it’s why speed limits exist. Many of the drivers who hit pedestrians do so because they are going so fast that they fail to respond to a situation.

Crosswalks are meant to represent a place of safety where pedestrians can cross the road. However, if a pedestrian should think it’s safe and a driver is approaching too quickly, there is often not enough time to stop by the time the vehicle gets to the crosswalk.

Even when you take crosswalks out of the equation, it doesn’t make things any less dangerous. High speed is the perfect recipe to lose control of a vehicle. When this happens, pedestrians who may be going about their business are often the ones to suffer.

Parking Lot Hazards

You would think since the parking lot is a place for non-moving vehicles, it would represent a safe space for pedestrians. Unfortunately, it’s the presence of these vehicles that create a sticky situation.

Both pedestrians and drivers often have their visibility severely obstructed in parking lots. This is especially true when you have a mixture of smaller vehicles such as sedans and hatchbacks and larger vehicles such as SUVs and pickup trucks.

While pedestrians are not exempt from responsibility, drivers must pay special attention to what’s going on around them and observe low parking lot speed limits. If not, they are going to be held accountable when they cause a pedestrian accident.

Driving Under the Influence

Intoxication is another well-documented reason for pedestrian crashes. At this point, you’ve likely heard the phrase “don’t drink and drive” numerous times. Still, it doesn’t stop many drivers from doing exactly that.

Naturally, drunk driving is a terrible idea. Drunk persons are typically severely impaired, being rendered unable to make effective decisions or even have full cognitive control.

How many times have you heard of people making decisions that lead to unfortunate consequences or high regret just because they were drunk or under the influence of drugs? How is anyone in such a state going to be capable of the focus and coordination needed for effective driving?

Some of the most severe injuries pedestrians deal with are caused by drunk drivers. It takes a compassionate and experienced personal injury attorney to help victims navigate such a situation.

Types of Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Claim

A pedestrian accident attorney helps you to navigate the legal system to seek compensation after being hit by a car. The damages you can seek in a pedestrian accident case fall under economic and non-economic categories. 

On the economic side of the spectrum, you find the damages that can be quantified financially. On the other hand, the non-economic damages aim to compensate you for a change in the quality of life.

Economic damages are things that we can quantify financially. These amounts are easy to calculate and can be compensated in a pedestrian accident claim. Examples include lost wages, medical expenses, and wrongful death damages.

Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment.

Let’s further discuss these damages.

  • Lost Wages: Many pedestrian accident victims have to miss work for some time or leave their job altogether when healing from their injuries. Financial compensation can be received for all time the victim missed work, including for doctors or medical appointments.
  • Medical Expenses: The cost of emergency treatment, transportation to the hospital, and any other medical attention you received after the accident would apply here. Ongoing treatment also falls under this umbrella and includes potential necessities, such as physiotherapy. It is crucial to continue to get treatment and keep all medical bills.
  • Wrongful Death: Unfortunately, when a driver hits a pedestrian it can be fatal. Pedestrian fatalities can add on more damages brought on by the surviving immediate family members. The pedestrian accident lawsuit can also include a wrongful death claim including funeral costs, burial expenses, loss of future benefits, among others.
  • Pain and Suffering: The physical pain and suffering of the injured pedestrian after a serious injury can be astronomical. But also the mental anguish that comes with being hit by a car can also be overwhelming. Pain and suffering include all types of pain and suffering, including physical, mental, and emotional.
  • Loss of Consortium: This damage type is typically sought on behalf of a spouse. Sometimes, accidents and their associated injuries leave pedestrians unable to fulfill marital obligations, such as proper companionship or intimacy. Seeking loss of consortium intends to gain compensation in such a case.
  • Loss of Enjoyment: Unlike the loss of consortium, this one is sought by the injured party. Some injuries prevent victims from partaking in activities they previously enjoyed. For example, an avid runner who suffered paralysis can no longer run and may sue for this kind of damage.
Car running into walking man

Pedestrian Accident Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Cost?

What if the Responsible Party’s Insurance Company Contacts Me?

What If I Wasn’t At A Crosswalk or I Am Partially at Fault?

What If The Driver Does And Hit and Run?

What Are Typical Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Why Do I Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

What Should I Do If I Am Hit By A Vehicle?

Let Us Go To War For Your Compensation

Being a victim of a pedestrian accident is challenging in many ways. Navigating the recovery and legal landscapes concurrently is a chore. However, who said you had to do it alone?

Reach out to the pedestrian injury attorneys at Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys for a free consultation today. Let a qualified pedestrian accident lawyer perform a free case evaluation and help you plan the next steps.