When auto accidents involve pedestrians, it is common to see significant injuries. Pedestrians are supposed to heed traffic laws and be vigilant about vehicles driving on the road. Drivers are supposed to use caution and pay careful attention to pedestrians walking on the sidewalks and roadways. When this doesn’t happen, a Charlotte pedestrian accident lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Despite the presence of crosswalks, sidewalks, and other infrastructure designed to make foot travel safer, accidents still occur. A car accident lawyer in Charlotte will have likely seen many cases of a driver or pedestrian failing to yield right away or obey traffic signals, often resulting in serious injuries to the pedestrian. If a driver has injured you while walking, call Ted A. Greve & Associates at (844)387-8677 and let our experts fight for you. We will provide a risk-free consultation, answering any questions you may have, while also providing insight into the claims process.
What Type of Injuries Are Common for Pedestrians
More than 11% of auto accident fatalities are pedestrians each year. Unfortunately, there were more than 2,000 pedestrian deaths and injuries in 2017 from car accidents in North Carolina where the driver or the pedestrian (or both) fail to exercise caution, vigilance, and respect for the lives that share the roads. Some common injuries that pedestrians experience include injuries to the hips and legs, head injuries, and internal injuries. The height of most cars causes the bumper and/or hood to hit the pedestrian in the hips or the legs, often breaking bones. Head injuries occur most frequently when pedestrians are thrown into the air and collide with a hard object. Head injuries can range from mild to very serious and can result in death. Internal injuries include things like broken blood vessels and damage to major tissues/organs. These types of injuries often require surgery and may require amputation.
Avoiding Accidents with Vehicles
If you want to take measures to ensure your safety as a pedestrian in North Carolina, you should stay on the sidewalk wherever possible, and to the left of the roadway (facing oncoming traffic) when a sidewalk is not available. You should always look both ways when crossing streets, even if the pedestrian sign is lit. Remain alert at all times, and avoid being distracted by music or conversation.
Cross the street at intersections, rather than in the middle of the street. If you are walking after dark, wear bright or reflective clothing to increase visibility. Always check every lane, and make sure that all drivers are yielding or all lanes are clear. By following this advice, you can avoid becoming the victim in a pedestrian auto accident.
Seeking Compensation for Pedestrians
If you or a loved one was the victim of an auto accident involving a pedestrian seek financial compensation for your injuries and losses. You begin by filing a claim against the insurance company of the at-fault driver. You can recover the expenses associated with medical and surgical treatment, prescriptions, future medical care, and damages like lost wages, lost future earning potential, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. If you are the survivor of a pedestrian who lost their life to such an accident, then you can recover damages for wrongful death as well.
If the driver behaved in a particularly harmful, reckless, and unconscionable way, then you may be able to seek punitive damages, also. These are the damages assigned to punish the driver for his or her behavior and deter the behavior in the future. This is common in drunk driving cases.
Common Misconceptions About Pedestrian Accidents
Walking is a great form of exercise and an economical way to get around. However, as a pedestrian, you have to be especially cautious when crossing the road to avoid getting hit by a car. As a pedestrian accident lawyer Charlotte, NC residents can explain, pedestrian accidents can result in serious injuries.
Here are some common misconceptions about pedestrian accidents that you should not believe.
- Only accidents involving high speeds result in serious injuries. It is true that cars traveling at high speeds are more likely to cause catastrophic injuries in a pedestrian accident. However, even vehicles traveling at 10 mph can cause severe injuries in pedestrians, like broken bones and traumatic brain injuries.
- You can only pursue compensation if you were hit by a car. This is another common myth about pedestrian accidents. The truth is that you don’t actually have to be hit by a vehicle to be eligible for compensation. For instance, if a motorist was driving erratically and you had to jump out of the way and break a bone because of it, you may still be able to file an injury claim against the motorist with the assistance of a pedestrian accident lawyer Charlotte, NC residents rely on.
- You can’t be at-fault for your injuries. Just like motorists are expected to follow traffic laws, pedestrians also have a duty to obey the rules of the road. If you don’t and get into an accident, you may be considered liable. For example, if you run out into the road when the light is red and get into an accident with a vehicle, you may be considered at-fault.
- Pedestrian accident injuries are noticeable right away. If you get hit by a vehicle as you’re walking, you might assume that your injuries will be immediately visible. However, that is not always the case. Depending on how fast the vehicle was traveling, your current health and other factors, you might feel okay after a pedestrian accident. However, just because you don’t have visible signs of injury, does not mean that you aren’t hurt. That is why you should seek immediate medical attention no matter what.
- You can file a personal injury claim at any time. This is one of the most detrimental myths about pedestrian accidents. You actually don’t have all the time in the world to pursue compensation for your injuries. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations to file a pedestrian accident claim is three years. After that deadline has passed, you will no longer be eligible to pursue compensation. Therefore, you should discuss your case with a qualified lawyer as soon as possible.
- Hiring a lawyer is too expensive. Unfortunately, some accident victims shy away from hiring a Charlotte pedestrian accident lawyer because they assume they can’t afford one. However, like other personal injury lawyers, most pedestrian accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that they get a percentage of their clients’ settlement at the end. You will not owe your lawyer money upfront.
Contact Ted A. Greve & Associates Today for a Risk-Free Consultation
Whenever an auto accident involving a pedestrian occurs, you should contact emergency medical care and law enforcement right away by dialing 911. You should gather as much information as you can about the accident. Collect the contact information of witnesses and insurance information of drivers. Maintain adequate records from your medical treatment and expenses. Hire a qualified Charlotte pedestrian accident lawyer with Ted A. Greve & Associates to ensure that you take the right steps towards seeking a fair recovery. Call our toll free number today (844) 387-8677.
The personal injury attorneys at Ted A. Greve & Associates have experience recovering millions for injured victims.
