Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian Accidents: What You Need to Know

Pedestrian accidents can lead to serious injuries or death, even at low vehicle speeds, because walkers and joggers have no physical protection like the occupants of motor vehicles. Understanding what steps to take after a pedestrian accident, how fault is determined, and what compensation may be available can help protect your rights and support your recovery.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents often result from driver behavior or unsafe conditions, such as:

• Drivers failing to yield at crosswalks or intersections
• Turning vehicles that do not see pedestrians
• Speeding or distracted driving
• Poorly designed intersections or lack of pedestrian signals
• Inadequate sidewalks or crosswalk markings
• Low visibility due to lighting or weather

Pedestrian accidents can also occur when drivers fail to watch for pedestrians in parking lots, driveways, and shared spaces — not just on roadways.

Injuries Often Seen in Pedestrian Crashes

Because pedestrians lack protective barriers, even relatively low-impact collisions can cause serious harm, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Fractures and broken bones
• Internal injuries
• Soft tissue damage
• Amputations

Prompt medical care and thorough documentation of injuries is essential both for your health and for supporting any claim.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

If you or a loved one is struck by a vehicle:

1. Seek medical attention immediately.
   Even if injuries are not immediately obvious, early medical evaluation is critical.
2. Call law enforcement.
   An official police report helps document the crash and conditions at the scene.
3. Document what you can.
   Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries if you are able.
4. Collect witness information.
   Names and contact details from bystanders can help confirm how the accident happened.
5. Preserve evidence.
   Do not discard torn clothing, personal items, or other evidence that may be relevant.
6. Avoid premature statements.
   Do not discuss fault or admit responsibility at the scene or with insurance adjusters.

How Fault Is Determined

Fault in a pedestrian accident is determined by who failed to exercise reasonable care. Evidence used to establish fault may include:

• Police reports
• Witness statements
• Photographs or video of the scene
• Traffic signal timing or signage conditions
• Expert analysis of sight lines and driver behavior

Drivers have a legal duty to exercise ordinary care, including slowing to a safe speed, maintaining a proper lookout, and yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians when appropriate.

Compensation in Pedestrian Accident Cases

If another driver’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation, which can include:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost income or earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage (such as personal items lost or damaged in the crash)

Insurance policies typically involved include the at-fault driver’s liability coverage and, in some cases, the pedestrian’s own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage if the other driver lacks sufficient insurance.

Challenges With Insurance Claims

Insurance companies may use tactics to minimize payouts, such as:

• Claiming injuries are unrelated to the accident
• Delaying claim responses
• Misinterpreting medical records
• Misstating the severity of injuries

Thorough documentation, timely reporting, and proper legal guidance help protect your rights during negotiations.

Summary

Pedestrian accidents can have devastating physical, emotional, and financial impacts. Knowing what to do after a crash — including seeking prompt medical care, documenting the scene, collecting information from witnesses, and understanding how liability and compensation work — helps empower you during the recovery process. Acting quickly and methodically improves your ability to pursue fair compensation for injuries and losses.