Pedestrian
Accidents
at Wilson, Reives & Doran
While all people who use the road need to share it, pedestrians have the least ability to defend themselves against more dangerous, fast-moving vehicles.
In North Carolina alone, over 11 percent of all traffic fatalities are pedestrian fatalities. While not every pedestrian is blameless, it seems to be a struggle for some drivers to safely operate a motor vehicle around pedestrians.
A pedestrian accident lawyer works to be an advocate for pedestrians who have been injured or affected by an accident. No matter the specific cause of your accident, the lawyers at Wilson, Reives & Doran will draw on their experience in these kinds of cases to help you resolve your claim or lawsuit quickly and satisfactorily. Let our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers get you back on your feet and help you move forward.
What Compensation Can I Claim in a Pedestrian Accident?
If you or a family member have been injured as a pedestrian, the personal injury lawyers at Wilson, Reives & Doran can help you recover a settlement that covers the following:
- Liability issues
- Medical bills (including treatment, therapy, and medication)
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Where do I begin filing a personal injury claim?
It will not cost you anything to come in for a consultation. At Wilson, Reives & Doran, PLLC, all consultations for personal injury cases are given free of charge.
A hit-and-run defense attorney is here to provide you with trusted, effective legal counsel. We’ll focus on your claim, allowing you to focus on recovery and getting back on your feet.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can occur for various reasons, but some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers using mobile phones, GPS devices, or other distractions can easily overlook pedestrians.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of accidents.
- Failure to Yield: Many accidents happen when drivers fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s ability to see and react to pedestrians.
- Poor Visibility: Low light conditions, bad weather, and inadequate street lighting can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.
How Do I Know If I Have a Pedestrian Accident Case?
If someone else’s negligence caused or contributed to the pedestrian accident that left you with personal injuries, you should have a case to recover damages. To establish negligence in a pedestrian accident, however, you and your lawyer need to be able to prove that the person or people at fault failed to exercise a reasonable “duty of care.”
The law imposes a higher duty of care on drivers when it comes to children. As children are smaller, less visible, and somewhat unpredictable, signs noting the presence of children (at schools, parks, and residential areas) warn drivers to exercise greater care.
Factors that may prove a driver failed to exercise the required duty of care include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving (such as driving while texting)
- Speeding
- Disobeying or disregarding traffic signs or signals
- Disregarding traffic conditions or weather
- Failing to signal while turning
- Illegally parking a car, making it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
Others who may be legally responsible for your injuries might try to claim that your negligence caused your accident. Before you respond to any allegations, make sure you do the following things:
- Immediately call the police
- Stay put at the scene of the accident until the police arrive
- Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses
- Refuse to make any statements to anyone, including drivers and insurers
In the state of North Carolina, you have only three years to bring a claim for your injuries. Therefore, it is best to have an attorney look at your case immediately and help you assess the validity of your claim. Then, you can leave the legal worries in their hands and focus on getting your health back on track.