Erie Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents can be harrowing. When a vehicle collides with an unprotected pedestrian, the pedestrian is at a higher risk of serious injury. Common injuries from these accidents include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and, in the worst of cases, even wrongful death. If you or a family member has endured an accident of this nature, or if you’ve experienced the absolute tragedy of having a family member killed in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to remember that you have rights. Working with an experienced Erie pedestrian accident lawyer who can assist you in seeking compensation and holding the at-fault party (or at-fault parties) responsible is almost always your best path forward.

Should I Hire a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Erie, PA?

If you or a loved one has sustained pedestrian accident injuries, you may be wondering whether you need to work with a lawyer. This is a fair question. There are car accident cases that are enough to be resolved without the help of a lawyer, often by negotiating with the insurance company.

That being said, this is a rare occurrence. More often than not, car accident cases, and specifically pedestrian accidents, necessitate the expertise of an experienced legal professional.

You may not need an attorney in cases with no injuries or property damage. This is rare in a pedestrian accident case—if a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, there’s likely to be at least some injury. But if there are no injuries and no real damage, you likely don’t need to work with a lawyer. If there are minor injuries, you can move forward without an attorney.

But if there’s any even remotely serious injury involved — including mental and emotional injuries, such as emotional trauma and pain and suffering — you should contact an attorney. Injuries are expensive — there are medical bills and expenses, perhaps ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation, lost wages from taking time off work, and so on. Working with a lawyer adequately compensates you for these costs and losses.

Moreover, negotiating with insurance companies, even in a simple accident, can be extremely complex and frustrating. Sometimes, adjusters from the insurance company will contact victims to have them admit some degree of fault or accept a settlement that’s substantially lower than they deserve. Working with a lawyer means you have an expert negotiating on your behalf, so you never have to worry about being taken advantage of.

If you are interested in filing a personal injury suit or wondering if you should, don’t hesitate to contact our law office to schedule a free consultation.

What Can an Erie Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Do For You?

A lawyer can assist you in myriad ways in your pedestrian accident claim. First, your lawyer will ensure you know your legal options and what each would entail so you can decide how to proceed.

Your attorney will gather evidence to build a strong case for you. This includes gathering police reports, interviewing witnesses, and obtaining records from any cell phones used during the collision.

Your Erie personal injury lawyer will liaise with the insurance companies, never allowing you to accept a settlement less than you deserve. They will negotiate with the defendant and their legal team to secure you the compensation you deserve. And even if a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer can defend you in a trial.

Working with a lawyer in your Pennsylvania accident claim is the best way to set yourself up for success. Reach out to schedule a free consultation today.

What Are Common Examples of Pedestrian Accidents in Erie?

Pedestrian accidents happen in many ways, often resulting in serious injury. Some of the most common causes of a pedestrian accident may occur include:

Failure to Yield

Failure to yield occurs when a driver or drivers fail to give pedestrians the right of way at a crosswalk or intersection. This can often happen when drivers are making turns. For instance, a driver making a right on a red light may look to their left to see if any traffic is coming but may not yield to a pedestrian crossing to their right. Pedestrian crashes that involve failure to yield are especially common at crosswalks that don’t include a light or stop sign.

Impairment by Drugs or Alcohol

Unfortunately, many accidents in Philadelphia and around the world occur because of intoxication while operating a vehicle. When a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their reaction time is slowed. If a driver under the influence sees a pedestrian on the road, they may mentally and physically not be able to react quickly enough to prevent a car accident. A drunk driver may veer into oncoming traffic or even swerve onto the sidewalk where a pedestrian is walking. A pedestrian hit by a drunk driver may very likely sustain catastrophic injuries.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is any behavior that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and minds off the act of driving. Many drivers text while driving, which is one of the most common forms of distraction and is extremely dangerous. Distractions can also include eating, talking to a passenger, daydreaming, interacting with the radio or music system in the car, and more. When drivers are distracted, they have a much higher likelihood of getting into an accident. Like impairment, distraction can also cause a driver to veer onto the sidewalk and strike a pedestrian.

Drivers Ignoring Traffic Rules and Signage

All traffic rules and signage exist with a purpose: to keep drivers and pedestrians safe. However, not all drivers follow and respect these rules, and a car accident may very well occur when they don’t. Some signage, in particular, may alert drivers to a pedestrian crossing or ask drivers to yield so pedestrians can cross. Ignoring these signs and warnings can easily result in a pedestrian accident.

Speeding

When a driver is speeding, they may be unable to stop in time to avoid a collision, even if they want to. Speeding greatly increases the risk of a traffic accident, and driving within the speed limit is crucial for ensuring safety.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Pedestrian Accident?

As with any car accident case, several parties may be at fault.

Often, in a pedestrian, the driver is the at-fault party in a pedestrian accident. This can be the case for many reasons. Suppose a driver is speeding, driving under the influence, driving recklessly, failing to follow traffic signage or rules, driving distracted, or exhibiting any other kind of negligence. In that case, they may be the liable party in an accident.

Can a Pedestrian Be Held at Fault?

In some cases, pedestrians may be at least partially at fault. If pedestrians jaywalk in a high-traffic area, they are also guilty of failing to follow traffic laws and could be considered at fault. The same goes for darting into traffic without giving drivers adequate time to react safely.

Shared Fault

In some cases, multiple parties can share fault, meaning multiple at-fault parties exist. For example, if a pedestrian runs into the road unsafely, but the driver is also texting and distracted at the time, they cannot avoid a collision.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Erie?

Pedestrian accident victims are often concerned about the cost of working with accident lawyers. Particularly if you’re already drowning in medical bills or taking time off work during your recovery, the thought of adding legal fees to the mix may seem implausible.

But there’s no need to worry. At Munely Law, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay a dime upfront or at any point. Rather, if and when we win your case, we will be paid via a portion of your settlement. In other words, we only win if you win, and you don’t have to pay a cent out of pocket.

We always offer free consultations before any formal agreement so you can feel confident that our law firm is the right choice. Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn how we can protect your best interests.

What Compensation is Available?

The goal of a personal injury case is generally receiving compensation that makes up for all the losses the victim has endured due to the accident. Generally, there are three specific types of compensation available:

Economic damages

Economic damages have a specific monetary value, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.

Non-Economic Damages

Noneconomic damages refer to losses that don’t necessarily have an affixed value but are notable nonetheless. These include emotional trauma, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and more.

Punitive Damages

In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. Unlike other damages, punitive damages are intended to dissuade the perpetrator from engaging in the same reckless behavior in the future. They are only awarded in particularly egregious cases.

Contact an Erie Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Munley Law Now

You are not alone if you or a family member has been injured in a pedestrian accident. You have legal rights, and the experienced attorneys at Munely are here to ensure they are protected.

We believe all pedestrian accident victims deserve compassion, support, and legal expertise as they seek compensation and justice. Here at Munley Law, we have decades of defending and securing settlements for accident victims, and we have the skills and resources to advocate for you at every step successfully. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to add legal fees to your list of worries, and we encourage you to schedule a free consultation so that you can feel confident working with us is the right choice for you.

We have a proven track record of securing incredible client settlements, so let us add you to that list. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can fight for you.