Being hurt as a pedestrian can result in serious injuries that may affect you for the rest of your life. For more than 30 years, the pedestrian accident lawyers at Thomas, Conrad & Conrad have represented thousands of personal injury clients throughout the Lehigh Valley. We put our experience and knowledge to work for you to recover the full compensation you deserve for your medical bills, wage loss, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to PennDOT, in 2022, pedestrian-related accidents represented 2.8% of the total reported traffic crashes in Pennsylvania. While this number may seem small, pedestrians are much more likely to be killed in traffic accidents than people traveling in motor vehicles – in fact, pedestrians accounted for 15.6% of all traffic crash fatalities in 2022. Many of these accidents occurred while pedestrians were crossing the street at intersections or other areas of roadways.
Types Of Injuries Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are particularly at risk for catastrophic injuries and death when struck by a motor vehicle, as there is no protection to shield them from the impact. Some common injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents include:
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Broken or shattered bones
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Broken facial bones, lacerations, or disfigurement
- Broken or knocked-out teeth
- Lost limbs
- Psychological conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression
These types of injuries can be life-altering and often require costly ongoing medical care. Our Lehigh Valley pedestrian accident attorneys understand how to accurately calculate current and future damages. We fight to help you recover the maximum compensation you need to protect your health and financial security.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
All drivers are required to exercise reasonable care when they’re on the road, but unfortunately, aggressive and distracted drivers cause injury to pedestrians and other motorists every day. Drivers have an even higher duty of care when they are in an area where children may be at play, such as schools, residential areas, and parks. Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
- Failing to yield pedestrians the right of way at crosswalks
- Running stop signs and red lights
- Ignoring other traffic signs or signals
- Failing to use turn signals
It’s important to keep in mind that pedestrians also have a responsibility to exercise reasonable care for their own safety. Always use marked crosswalks, follow walk signals at intersections, and never dart out into traffic or in front of a vehicle.
Pedestrian Laws in Pennsylvania
Generally, the driver of a vehicle must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing a roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. However, both motorists and pedestrians must obey traffic control signs and devices.
If you’re crossing the street in a non-intersection area without a crosswalk, you’re required to yield to vehicles. Pedestrians must use sidewalks if they are available. When there’s no sidewalk, you must walk on the shoulder of the road or the very edge of the road if there’s no shoulder. It’s safest to walk on the left side of the roadway facing oncoming traffic.
Currently, there is no law that penalizes pedestrians for distracted walking in Pennsylvania. However, it’s best to avoid texting, talking, or looking down at your phone while crossing the street or walking alongside a road. Pennsylvania personal injury law employs the concept of comparative negligence. This means that if you’re hit while you’re looking at your phone or stepping in front of cars in the middle of the road with no crosswalk, you may be held partially or wholly responsible if you’re injured.
Recovering Compensation for Pedestrian Accidents in Pennsylvania
Being involved in a pedestrian accident can result in severe injuries or permanent disabilities that significantly impact a person’s quality of life. The cost of multiple surgeries, physical & occupational therapy, pain management, nursing care, medical equipment, and home modifications can put a heavy financial burden on injured victims and their families. Our skilled pedestrian accident lawyers have a proven track record of success when it comes to recovering maximum compensation for our clients, both inside and outside of the courtroom.
When you’ve suffered a serious injury, it may not be possible to return to work and your normal daily activities for a long time, if ever. The expense of long-term medical treatment and the inability to earn a living can put you and your family in a precarious financial situation. Our compassionate personal injury attorneys understand how stressful this can be. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Our experienced legal team works hard to help you recover maximum compensation for:
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future wage loss
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Other damages specific to your case
Although it’s rare, punitive damages may be awarded in some cases. Punitive damages are not meant to compensate a plaintiff. They are designed to punish the defendant and deter them and others from committing similar acts. If you’ve lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, a personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and advise you of whether you may have a viable wrongful death claim.
Our team thoroughly investigates your case and gathers evidence to back up the facts of your pedestrian accident claim. Typically, insurers initially offer minimal settlement amounts. Our pedestrian accident attorneys are experienced negotiators who are familiar with the tactics they often employ to pay as little as possible. We won’t back down, and if a reasonable settlement can’t be reached, a pedestrian accident lawyer will not hesitate to take your case to court.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to take certain steps to protect your rights:
- Call 911
- Get the driver’s contact, vehicle, and insurance information
- Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and anything else you think is relevant
- Gather contact information from any witnesses
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible
- Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer
If you’re seriously injured and unable to move, ask someone to help you gather information and take photos. It’s critical to go to the emergency room or see a doctor to get the medical care you need. Potentially fatal conditions like internal bleeding may not be apparent right away, so it’s best to get checked out as soon as possible. If you decide to file a personal injury claim, medical records provide valuable documentation of your injuries and the accident. If possible, get a copy of the police report at the scene. Do not give a statement, sign anything, or accept a settlement from an insurance company without speaking to a pedestrian accident attorney first.
Why Choose Us?
Our team includes some of the best pedestrian accident lawyers in eastern Pennsylvania. Your initial consultation is free, even if you decide not to move forward with your case. Our personal injury attorneys work on contingency, so you won’t incur any up-front costs and or owe attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Allentown can evaluate your case, advise you of whether you have a valid claim, and guide you through the legal process from start to finish.
We understand that dealing with insurance companies can be frustrating and overwhelming. Our attorneys handle all aspects of your case so you can focus on healing and moving on with your life. We care about you and your family. We’re dedicated to making things right for injured victims and holding responsible parties accountable for their actions.
Contact A Pedestrian Accident Attorney in the Lehigh Valley
If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, our compassionate, competent team at Thomas, Conrad & Conrad Law Offices can help. With several convenient locations to choose from, our Lehigh Valley pedestrian accident lawyers make it easy to find the quality legal representation you deserve. Call us today at (610) 867-2900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a pedestrian accident attorney in eastern Pennsylvania.