PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS
Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Giving You a Voice During a Challenging Time
When you’re out and about in public, whether in a parking lot or crossing the street, you expect you’ll reach your destination safely. All U.S. states have pedestrian laws that give you the right of way in most situations. Unfortunately, accidents occur that involve pedestrian injuries and sometimes deaths. If you’ve been injured as the result of a driver’s negligence, you may be eligible to seek compensation. Our Philadelphia pedestrian accident attorneys at Shipon Law Associates, P.C. are committed to helping individuals and families recover damages after a harrowing accident. Pedestrians don’t have the same kinds of protections that drivers and passengers have in an accident, so they’re more likely to suffer from catastrophic injuries. Healing may be stressful – we’re here to help alleviate some of your burdens.
Contact us online or by phone at (215) 708-1234 for your free consultation with a caring personal injury lawyer. We speak English and Spanish for your convenience.
Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are, unfortunately, common, especially in cities and areas with high density. The more populated cities become, the more dangers there are for pedestrians, especially when streets begin filling with traffic near residential neighborhoods.
Common types of pedestrian accidents that result in injuries include:
- Vehicles backing into pedestrians: Cars that back out of parking spaces or driveways often fail to look in their rearview mirrors and can easily hit pedestrians that are crossing behind them. Children who are shorter and can be easily missed by drivers are more likely to be the victims of these kinds of accidents.
- Vehicles hitting pedestrians on side of the road: Cars can also easily sideswipe a pedestrian walking on the side of the road if they fail to see them and drive too close, or if they lose control of their vehicle near a pedestrian. These kinds of accidents typically happen at night when pedestrians are more difficult for drivers to see.
- Jaywalking: Pedestrians who jaywalk or cross the road at places other than a marked crosswalk or intersection, risk being hit by an oncoming vehicle. This is especially true for when pedestrians jaywalk near a corner, as turning cars won’t be able to see pedestrians until it’s too late.
- Vehicles hitting pedestrians while making left turns: Cars turning left at an intersection may hit a pedestrian that is walking across the street. Even if the car has the right of way, cars must still be aware of pedestrian crosswalks while they’re making left turns, in addition to watching for oncoming traffic.
Injuries we commonly see clients suffer from after a pedestrian accident include bruises and abrasions, sprains and fractures, broken bones, internal bleeding, spinal cord and neck injuries, and head and brain trauma. Many pedestrian injuries can become permanent and require lifelong care and the use of prescription medications or equipment.
How We Can Establish Negligence
To win a pedestrian accident lawsuit, you need to prove that the at-fault driver was negligent in their actions. There are a number of steps you need to take and prove to have a successful claim, but if you have a personal injury lawyer on your side, you won’t need to worry about the details.
Our lawyers can gather the evidence needed to prove the existence of the following elements:
- The driver had a duty of care: Drivers have a duty to exercise reasonable care toward pedestrians, as all states have their own pedestrian laws that give them rights.
- The driver breached that duty of care: Our lawyers can show that the driver failed to follow pedestrian laws and show pedestrians a level of care.
- The driver caused the individual’s injuries: We can prove that the driver caused your injuries in the car accident by showing that your injuries wouldn’t have occurred had the accident not happened.
- The driver suffered from bodily injury, financial losses, and/or damage to their property: We can help you gather evidence including photos of your injuries, doctor’s notes, and bills to show that the driver caused damages that they’re responsible for.
Our lawyers can create a solid strategy that works for you so we can recover the damages you’ve accrued, including medical bills like hospital stays, surgeries, and X-rays, lost wages from having to miss work, as well as future earning potential, and any property damage suffered, including car repairs and replacements.
Pennsylvania Pedestrian Laws
Pennsylvania’s pedestrian laws must be obeyed by all motor vehicle drivers and pedestrians.
Some pedestrian laws include:
- Crossing roads and streets: When a pedestrian is at an intersection, they have the right of way whether they use a marked or unmarked crosswalk, though they cannot run into the street without warning.
- Use of sidewalks: Pedestrians are required to use sidewalks before they travel in the roadway, and they have the right of way if they’re using a sidewalk shared by vehicles, such as a parking lot entrance or alley.
Ready to begin the recovery process? Call our Philadelphia pedestrian accident attorneys at (215) 708-1234 so we can achieve justice on your behalf after an accident.
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When it comes to your case, we know time is of the essence. Our primary goal is to make the process easy. Contact us today and we will get you through the paperwork as conveniently as possible so we can get to work building your case.