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Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Injured While Walking? Our Experienced North and South Carolina Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help

Most of us are pedestrians on a daily basis – often, without thinking much of the possible risks. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 129,000 people went to the emergency room for pedestrian accident injuries and more than 5,300 pedestrians died in a single year in the United States. The reality is that pedestrians have a significantly greater risk of suffering fatal injuries than occupants of cars, and a pedestrian accident can happen at any time.

If you sustained serious injuries as a pedestrian, you likely have important legal rights. While recovering from your injuries should be your top priority, the law may entitle you to substantial financial recovery, as well. Our experienced pedestrian accident lawyer at Bice Law LLC can review your situation and advise you of your legal options. Call the office today or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free case evaluation.

How Pedestrian Accidents Happen

Some of the most serious traffic accidents involve a collision between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian. In many cases, these crashes occur because the driver of the vehicle acted in a negligent manner, which caused them to hit someone walking. While you may closely associate pedestrian accidents with crosswalks and intersections, these accidents can happen anywhere and on any type of road. Pedestrians often sustain injuries while doing the following:

  • Crossing the street (whether they are in a crosswalk or not)
  • Walking straight on a sidewalk
  • Walking through a parking lot
  • Standing on the shoulder of a road, such as after a car accident or break-down

There are many different driving behaviors that can cause a driver to hit a pedestrian. It is important to have a skilled attorney closely review what happened in your accident to determine who acted negligently and may be held liable for your losses. The following are some common forms of negligence that lead to pedestrian accidents:

  • Distracted driving – Often, drivers are simply not paying attention to the road in front of them. Whether they are texting, tending to kids or passengers, or simply not staying aware of their surroundings, drivers can easily miss pedestrians as they are harder to notice than large vehicles.
  • Drunk driving – Drunk drivers often have less of an ability to concentrate on the road and remain focused on the vehicles and pedestrians around them. They also often have trouble staying in their designated lane, and a drunk driver may swerve and hit a pedestrian on the sidewalk.
  • Failing to yield – Busy intersections can be confusing, though every driver should understand how walk signals work and check for pedestrians crossing the street before entering the intersection. Drivers commonly fail to yield when making turns, as they do not realize a pedestrian may have the right-of-way.
  • Speeding – When drivers are speeding, it naturally takes a longer distance and time for them to stop the car when needed. If a driver is going too fast and a pedestrian suddenly tries to cross the street, the driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision because of their excessive speed.

The above are only some of the many causes of pedestrian accidents and injuries. If a negligent driver hit you, that driver should compensate you for all of your losses. This is particularly important for pedestrians, as pedestrian accident injuries tend to be particularly serious.

Pedestrians Can Sustain Life-Changing Injuries

Pedestrians do not have airbags, seat belts, or a metal frame of a car enclosing them for protection in a crash. Unlike many motorcyclists or bicyclists, pedestrians likely will not be wearing protective clothing or helmets. Pedestrians have next to nothing to protect them from the impact of a 3,000-pound (or heavier) vehicle with their body, and they often suffer a range of traumatic injuries. Some common injuries include:

  • Spinal cord injury
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Crushed limbs
  • Amputations
  • Broken or shattered bones
  • Soft tissue tears
  • Back injuries
  • Skull fractures
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal hemorrhaging

Most pedestrian accident victims will need emergency medical care. Even if your injuries are not immediately apparent, you should get a full evaluation. For example, many people mistake the signs of a concussion for disorientation due to the experience of the accident. In reality, they have a serious brain injury that should be properly diagnosed and treated. Other pedestrians may feel stiff or sore due to a soft tissue injury that can cause increasing pain and limitations over the next few days.

In some cases, the seriousness of a pedestrian accident injury is obvious. This is especially the case if a severe traumatic brain injury renders you unconscious or a suspected spinal cord injury prevents you from moving. Such catastrophic injuries can require lengthy hospitalization and ongoing care for months or years. Many injuries can leave pedestrians with permanent impairments and disabilities that can change almost every aspect of their lives.

Regardless of whether you broke an arm or sustained a paralyzing spinal cord injury, a negligent driver should be held financially liable for your:

  • Medical bills for past and future treatment
  • Lost income
  • Future lost earning power
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent injuries

 At Bice Law LLC, we handle insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits on behalf of injured pedestrian accident victims. We evaluate the best course of action in your situation, and we handle every step of the legal process to fight for the full amount of compensation you deserve.

Consult with Our North and South Carolina Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for Free

Bice Law LLC knows that pedestrian accident injuries can be costly and stressful, and the last thing you need is additional expenses or stress! When our skilled pedestrian accident lawyer handles your case, you will pay nothing unless we are successful and you can remain focused on your physical recovery while our firm protects your legal rights. Please contact us online or call 877-BICE-877 to learn more about how we can help.