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Handling Pedestrian Accidents Involving Motor Vehicles

By Resh LawAugust 28, 2025
Handling Pedestrian Accidents Involving Motor Vehicles

Pedestrian accidents can change lives in an instant. A simple walk across the street can lead to severe injuries when drivers fail to pay attention or follow traffic rules. These accidents often bring high medical costs, lost wages, and emotional stress. Because pedestrians have little protection, even a minor collision with a motor vehicle can cause serious harm.

ReshLaw helps you understand your rights if you or someone you love is hurt in one of these tragic situations. Our personal injury attorneys handle pedestrian accident cases with care and dedication, working to secure fair compensation for injured persons.

We know that pedestrian accident victims face significant challenges, from emergency room visits to long-term recovery. Having an experienced pedestrian accident attorney on your side can make all the difference when pursuing compensation.

Understanding Pedestrian Accidents

Understanding Pedestrian Accidents

Handling pedestrian accidents involving motor vehicles requires knowing how and why these events happen. Pedestrian accidents occur in many places, from quiet neighborhoods to busy intersections with traffic control signals.

Because pedestrians have little protection, even minor motor vehicle collisions can lead to severe injuries. Drivers and pedestrians must both respect the right of way, obey traffic signals, and stay alert at marked crosswalks to reduce risks.

When pedestrian accidents occur, the results can be devastating. Pedestrian injuries often involve serious injuries that demand emergency room treatment and ongoing medical care. In some tragic cases, pedestrian fatalities occur, leaving families to face unimaginable loss.

By understanding the common causes of pedestrian accidents and the challenges that pedestrian accident victims experience, communities can improve pedestrian safety and reduce traffic crashes.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

  • Distracted Driving: When drivers fail to stay alert because they are texting, eating, or using devices, pedestrian accidents occur more often.
  • Poor Visibility: Inadequate lighting, bad weather, or obstructed views reduce a driver’s ability to notice pedestrians crossing the street.
  • Excessive Speed: High vehicle speed makes it harder to stop for a pedestrian crossing, often leading to severe injuries.
  • Disregarding Traffic Signals: Drivers who ignore traffic control signals or traffic lights put crossing pedestrians in danger.
  • Driver Inattention: Not watching for nearby drivers or oncoming vehicles increases the risk of motor vehicle collisions involving pedestrians.

Types of Injuries Pedestrians May Face

  • Head and Neck Injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can cause long-term health issues.
  • Ligamentous Injuries: Strains or tears in muscles and ligaments are common after vehicle collisions.
  • Fractures: Broken bones are one of the most common pedestrian injuries, often requiring surgery.
  • Severe Injuries: Damage to internal organs or the spinal cord can create lifelong complications.
  • Serious Injuries: Multiple fractures or trauma requiring rapid evaluation and extensive treatment in the emergency room.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident

Immediate Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident

When an accident occurs, what you do right away is very important. Quick action helps keep everyone safe and protects your rights later.

Calling for help, gathering details at the accident scene, and making an official report are all key steps. These actions give injured persons a better chance of recovery and fair compensation.

Call Emergency Services

The first step is to call 911 and ask for medical help. Even if injuries look small, some severe injuries may not show right away. Going to the emergency room allows doctors to give a rapid evaluation. This protects your health and creates records that prove what happened during the motor vehicle collision.

Gather Information at the Scene

If you are able, collect as much information as possible at the accident scene. Get the driver’s name, insurance details, and contact information. Ask nearby drivers or witnesses what they saw.

Take pictures of marked crosswalks, traffic signals, and where the accident occurred. These details can help establish fault when personal injury attorneys review pedestrian accident cases.

File a Police Report

Always report the accident to the police. A police report explains how the accident occurred and records important facts about the driver, pedestrian crossing, and traffic control signals. This report is very helpful for insurance companies and your law firm.

Filing right away makes it easier for a pedestrian accident attorney to protect your rights and secure fair compensation.

Determining Fault in Pedestrian Accidents

After a pedestrian accident, it is important to know who is at fault. Determining liability can be complex because both drivers and pedestrians must follow traffic rules. Sometimes one side is clearly responsible, but in other cases, both may share blame.

Understanding these roles helps pedestrian accident victims when pursuing compensation for medical costs, lost wages, or other damages.

Driver Liability

Drivers must give the right of way at marked crosswalks, obey traffic signals, and watch for crossing pedestrians. When drivers fail to remain alert, speed, or ignore traffic laws, they may cause pedestrian injuries.

If poor visibility or distracted driving played a role, the driver can still be found responsible. Personal injury attorneys often work to prove the driver’s liability.

Pedestrian Responsibility

Pedestrians also must follow traffic rules to stay safe. They should obey traffic signals, use designated crosswalks, and walk facing traffic when no sidewalks are available.

If someone runs into oncoming traffic or ignores pedestrian signals, they may share responsibility for the accident. Being cautious, using proactive safety measures, and knowing pedestrians’ safety rules help prevent serious injuries.

Comparative Negligence

In many pedestrian accident cases, both sides may share some blame. This is called comparative negligence.

For example, a driver may ignore speed limits, while a pedestrian may cross outside of marked crosswalks. In these cases, a court will establish fault and adjust compensation. Pedestrian accident attorneys help prove your side and fight for fair compensation under the law.

Insurance Coverage for Pedestrian Accidents

Insurance Coverage for Pedestrian Accidents

Insurance coverage is very important after pedestrian accidents. It helps pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs in the event of an accident. Both the driver’s insurance and the pedestrian’s own policy may provide support.

Because insurance companies often argue about payments, having a law firm or pedestrian accident attorney can help protect your rights and secure fair compensation.

The Driver’s Insurance Policy

When motor vehicle accidents injure pedestrians, the driver’s insurance is usually the first to cover damages. This policy may pay for medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

If the driver caused the accident by failing to obey traffic signals or the right of way, their insurance company must take responsibility. Personal injury attorneys can make sure insurance companies do not reduce your claim.

Your Own Insurance Options

Pedestrian accident victims may also use their own insurance coverage. If the driver has no insurance or too little coverage, your own policy might help. Some policies cover pedestrian injuries in motor vehicle collisions.

It is important to review your coverage and seek assistance when pursuing compensation. A pedestrian accident attorney can guide you when dealing with insurance companies.

Legal Rights of Pedestrian Accident Victims

Pedestrian accident victims have rights under the law. These rights include seeking money for medical bills, lost wages, and pain after serious injuries. Families may also take action if pedestrian fatalities occur.

Knowing the rules, time limits, and options is very important. A pedestrian accident attorney can explain the process and help you pursue compensation fairly and on time.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

If you are hurt in a motor vehicle collision, you may get money for medical costs, lost wages, and suffering. This support helps cover recovery after severe injuries or time away from work.

Personal injury attorneys help prove your losses and push insurance companies for fair compensation. This makes pursuing compensation easier for injured persons and their families.

Statute of Limitations

In Utah, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit. Utah Code § 78B‑2‑307 applies this deadline to pedestrian incidents, car accidents, and other personal injury cases involving motor vehicles.

If you wait longer, a court may refuse to hear your case, and you could lose the chance to recover compensation. In some special situations, like if a child was injured or if the injury was discovered late, the clock may start later under the discovery rule or be paused entirely. A law firm or experienced attorney can review your case right away to make sure your claim is filed before that four-year time limit ends.

Wrongful Death Claims

When pedestrian fatalities occur, families may bring wrongful death claims. These claims can provide money for funeral costs, lost income, and emotional suffering. Losing a loved one in a motor vehicle collision is heartbreaking.

Personal injury attorneys help families handle these cases with care while fighting for justice against drivers who ignored traffic laws or caused the tragedy.

How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help

How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help

A pedestrian accident attorney plays a big role after motor vehicle collisions. They guide pedestrian accident victims through every step, from collecting evidence to dealing with insurance companies.

If fair compensation is not offered, they can take the case to court. Having a law firm on your side makes pursuing compensation less stressful and more effective.

Investigating the Accident

A skilled personal injury lawyer will carefully investigate how the accident occurred. They collect police reports, pictures of marked crosswalks, and witness statements. They also check if drivers fail to obey traffic signals or speed limits.

This evidence helps in determining liability and proving your claim. A strong investigation gives injured persons a better chance of winning fair compensation.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often try to pay less than what victims deserve. A pedestrian accident attorney speaks directly with them, pushing for payment of medical costs, lost wages, and other damages.

Their experience makes a big difference when insurance companies deny or delay claims. Personal injury attorneys fight to make sure you get what is fair under traffic laws.

Taking the Case to Trial if Necessary

Sometimes, insurance companies do not agree to fair settlements. In that case, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can take the case to trial.

In court, they show evidence, question witnesses, and explain how the accident occurred. Their trial advocacy protects your rights and helps establish fault. This step ensures pedestrian accident victims still have a chance for justice.

Preventing Pedestrian Accidents

Preventing pedestrian accidents requires both drivers and pedestrians to remain alert and follow traffic rules. Simple actions, such as slowing down at marked crosswalks and obeying traffic signals, can save lives.

Pedestrian safety programs and public awareness campaigns also remind everyone to take proactive safety measures. These efforts help reduce traffic crashes, serious injuries, and even pedestrian traffic fatalities.

Safety Tips for Drivers

  1. Always obey traffic signals and traffic control signals.
  2. Slow down near marked crosswalks and designated crosswalks.
  3. Never pass vehicles stopped at a pedestrian crossing.
  4. Avoid distracted driving, such as texting or eating.
  5. Notice pedestrians crossing, especially in poor visibility or inadequate lighting.
  6. Follow speed limits and adjust for vehicle speed in bad weather.
  7. Remain alert for oncoming pedestrians in busy areas.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

  1. Always use marked crosswalks and pedestrian signals when available.
  2. Walk facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.
  3. Stay visible to nearby drivers, especially at night.
  4. Remain alert and avoid looking at phones while crossing.
  5. Obey traffic signals and wait for traffic lights to change.
  6. Do not step into oncoming traffic suddenly.
  7. Follow proactive safety measures, such as wearing bright clothes in low light.

FAQs

How are pedestrian accidents different from car accidents?

Pedestrian accidents usually cause more severe injuries because people have no protection against a motor vehicle. Car accidents between two vehicles often spread the impact, but pedestrians take the full force, leading to serious harm.

What do national highway traffic safety reports say about pedestrian accidents?

Pedestrian fatalities often occur at night and in areas without marked crosswalks. These reports stress the need to improve pedestrian safety through public awareness campaigns and stronger traffic rules.

Can a pedestrian still claim damages if they crossed outside marked crosswalks?

Yes, but it may be harder. Courts may use comparative negligence, reducing compensation if the pedestrian did not use designated crosswalks or ignored traffic signals when the accident occurred.

What if the driver says poor visibility caused the accident?

Poor visibility does not remove responsibility. Drivers must remain alert and adjust vehicle speed to conditions. If drivers fail to notice pedestrians crossing because of inadequate lighting, they may still be liable.

Should I contact a lawyer even for minor pedestrian injuries?

Yes. Even small injuries can later show serious problems. A pedestrian accident attorney can review your case, explain your rights, and ensure you get fair compensation from insurance companies.

Contact Our Pedestrian Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation

Contact Our Pedestrian Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation

If you or someone you love was hurt in a pedestrian accident, you do not have to face the stress alone. Pedestrian accident cases often bring high medical bills, lost wages, and serious injuries that change daily life. Insurance companies may try to pay less than you deserve, making recovery even harder without help.

At ReshLaw, our pedestrian accident attorney and personal injury attorneys fight for your rights. We know how to handle motor vehicle collisions, prove fault, and push for fair compensation. Our law firm understands the significant challenges pedestrian accident victims face and works to give strong legal support.

We offer a free consultation so you can learn about your options without cost. Let our team guide you through pursuing compensation and protecting your future. Contact us today to speak with a trusted attorney about your case.

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