Many people throughout the state of Pennsylvania go for a walk every day. This may be for exercise, leisure, or as a method of transportation. Usually, walking is a safe activity that does not end badly. However, pedestrian accidents do happen. This may happen for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, pedestrians are not offered a great deal of protection from hazards on the road. It is because of this that these accidents can be severe and cause life-changing injuries to a victim. If you were involved in a pedestrian accident, it can be beneficial to contact a skilled attorney to assist your case.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can happen as a result of numerous different factors. This can include the following:
- Poor weather conditions
- Unmarked crosswalks
- Inadequate street lighting
- Left-hand turns
- Dark clothing
While these are all factors that can lead to accidents, the most common cause of pedestrian accidents is driver negligence. When people are unsafe while operating a vehicle, they can cause dangerous accidents and harm pedestrians. Driver negligence can include actions such as driving under the influence, speeding, texting or eating while driving, driving drowsy, unsafe lane changes, and more.
Recovering Compensation
When a person is injured in an accident, they may be able to recover significant compensation to cover the damages incurred as a result. One way this can be accomplished is through Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This is no-fault insurance carried by most insurance policies for people involved in automobile accidents. This can include pedestrians who are involved in an accident with a negligent driver. It is important to know that PIP is available to individuals regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
A victim of a pedestrian accident can also seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. This exists to hold a negligent party responsible for their behavior. If the individual was harmed by a negligent driver, they can file a personal injury claim. In order to receive compensation, they are required to prove negligence by satisfying the burden of proof. This can be done with evidence that proves the driver’s actions directly caused the accident and their injuries. Evidence that can be useful to do so can consist of medical documentation of their injuries, pictures of the scene of the accident, a police report, witness statements, and more.
Contact our Firm
If you or a loved one has been in a personal injury accident in Pennsylvania, it’s important that you contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney to help you with your case. Contact Spear Greenfield to get the right attorney in your corner.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form