Home | Practice Areas | Automobile | Pedestrian Accidents

Practice Areas

Pedestrian Accidents

According to the U.S. DOT Fatality Analysis Reporting System, there were 4,784 accidents in 2006 involving pedestrians. On one hand you have a car or truck that weighs thousands of pounds and on the other you have a pedestrian who is completely unprotected. As you can well imagine, in the scenario where a car or truck strikes a pedestrian, serious injuries are likely to result. Experienced Pedestrian Injury Lawyers see these unfortunate cases, and their consequences, every day.

Accordingly, it is critical for drivers and pedestrians to act defensively when they are on the roads. Examples of defensive behavior to prevent a pedestrian accident include:

• observe all traffic controls.
• hold your child's hand so that they do not run in front of a vehicle.
• cross only at designated areas; never jaywalk.
• look both ways before entering a roadway or intersection.
• walk in the direction of traffic.
• wear bright colored clothing if at all possible when you know you will be walking on public roads.
• do not use umbrellas to shield yourself from rain or wind in a way that blocks your view of oncoming traffic.

These common sense tips, which are all too often forgotten by pedestrians, can help to reduce the likelihood of a pedestrian accident:

• drivers also can take defensive measures to reduce the likelihood of injuring a pedestrian. For example, driver should always.
• observe all traffic laws, including stopping at cross walks and stopping for red lights
• never drive while intoxicated.
• never pass a school bus, no matter how rushed you are.
• Always observe speed limits.
• drive as if the "other person" is likely to do something irrational (this is the essence of defensive driving).

Sadly, these common sense "rules of the road" are ignored far too often as we rush about to accomplish our daily routines, and the consequences can be grave. Pedestrian accidents are likely to result in serious personal injuries, such as brain injuries, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, lost limbs, and perhaps even death.

When that happens, you need to consult with an experienced Pennsylvania Pedestrian Accident Lawyer. A Pennsylvania Pedestrian Accident Attorney at Haggerty & Silverman can assist you in managing your claim with your insurance company, the hospital, physicians, the other party's insurance company, and we will vigorously pursue recovery against all parties responsible for your pedestrian injury claim. Please contact a Pedestrian Injury Lawyer at Haggerty and Silverman for a free consultation.

Back to the Top ^