If you’ve been struck by a car or other vehicle while walking, speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our qualified personal injury attorneys can advocate for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Just some of our settlements for pedestrians to date have included verdicts of $3.5 million, $2.8 million, and $2 million.
All of our attorneys are licensed to practice law and hold advanced certifications, with multiple partners board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and recognized for excellence in complex injury litigation. We have also been honored by Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Lawdragon.
Munley Law has a team of accident lawyers with over 250 years of collective experience dedicated to helping our clients get the best possible results. We offer a free consultation so that you can learn more about your legal rights and options. Contact Munley Law today to schedule a free case evaluation. There is no fee unless we win your case.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Should I Do After Being Hit by a Car?
If you’ve been hit by a car as a pedestrian, it’s essential to take specific steps to protect your health & legal rights. Speaking with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can also help protect your rights. Here’s what you should do immediately following the accident:
Seek Medical Attention and Contact Law Enforcement
- Your health and safety should be your top priority. Even if you don’t feel seriously injured, seek medical attention immediately. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or head trauma, may not show up right away. However, they can lead to serious problems if not treated.
- Contact law enforcement to report the accident and request assistance. The police will document the incident, gather information from the parties involved, and create an official report. This report can be valuable evidence if you pursue a personal injury claim.
Collect Driver and Witness Information; Gather Evidence
- If you can do so safely, gather information from the driver and any witnesses to the accident. Obtain the driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and vehicle license plate number. Additionally, collect contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident occur.
- Take photos or videos of the accident scene. Include any visible injuries, property damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and road conditions. This documentation can serve as evidence to support your compensation claim.
Do Not Admit Fault; Do Report To Your Insurance Company
- Do not make any statements or admit fault at the accident scene. This is true even if you think you helped cause the crash. Admitting fault could impact your ability to recover compensation for your injuries.
- If you have car insurance, report the accident to your insurance company immediately. Provide them with the necessary accident details, but avoid providing recorded statements or signing documents without consulting a pedestrian accident lawyer first.
Seek Legal Representation and Follow Guidance
- Seek legal representation from an experienced pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. They can protect your rights during the legal process, and they will also fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
- Follow all medical recommendations and attend follow-up appointments with healthcare providers. Following your treatment plan and going to rehab sessions can help you fully recover from your injuries.
- Keep detailed records of all medical expenses, including hospital bills, prescription medications, rehabilitation costs, and other related expenses. Additionally, document any lost wages or income resulting from the accident.
- Refrain from posting about the accident or your injuries on social media platforms. Insurance companies and defense attorneys may use social media posts against you to undermine your claim.
How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help After You’re Hit
Being hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian can turn your life upside down. You may be facing serious injuries, mounting medical bills, time away from work, and pressure from insurance companies. A pedestrian accident lawyer helps protect your rights and handles the legal process so you can focus on recovery.
Regardless of where your accident occurred, an experienced pedestrian injury lawyer can:
- Investigate the Pedestrian Accident: Conflicting reports can exist about who’s at fault in your accident. A thorough investigation will determine the cause of the crash and identify the responsible party. Our attorney will gather vital information necessary to establish liability. This includes interviewing witnesses, analyzing photographs and video footage, consulting with experts, reconstructing the accident scene, and reviewing the police report.
- Assess the Total Loss: Pedestrian accidents come with significant costs. You have immediate bills to think about. There are also future costs, like long-term medical care. Our personal injury attorneys work with medical professionals and economic experts to calculate the maximum value of your damages, considering current and future expenses.
- Deal with the Insurance Company: It might seem obvious who caused the accident. However, the insurance company may not give you a fair settlement. To get compensation, you will need help from an experienced car accident lawyer. They can negotiate with the insurance company and fight for a fair settlement.
- Represent You in Court: Our skilled trial lawyers are ready to take your case to court if we cannot reach a settlement.
Pedestrian accident laws and insurance rules vary by state. Our attorneys apply the specific laws that govern the location where your crash occurred to pursue maximum compensation.
“Since 1959, we have secured over $1 billion in
compensation for our clients.”
Daniel W. Munley
Who Pays Medical Bills After a Pedestrian Accident?
Paying medical bills after a pedestrian accident can be confusing, especially when injuries require emergency care, hospitalization, or long-term treatment.
In many pedestrian accident cases, medical expenses may be covered by one or more of the following:
- Auto insurance coverage associated with the crash
- The at-fault driver’s liability insurance
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
- Health insurance
The order in which coverage applies and whether certain benefits are available depend on the laws of the state where the accident occurred. Some states provide no-fault medical benefits, while others require claims to be made directly against the negligent driver.
A pedestrian accident lawyer can review all available insurance policies, explain which coverage applies, and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
When drivers don’t use proper caution, the results can be devastating, especially for pedestrians. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, American drivers struck and killed 7,148 pedestrians in 2024, with many more injured in traffic accidents.
Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
Distracted Driving: Distracted driving happens when drivers take their focus off the road. This often occurs when they text, talk on the phone, adjust the radio, or eat while driving. Distracted drivers may fail to notice pedestrians in crosswalks or intersections, increasing the risk of collisions.
Failure to Yield: Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections. However, some drivers do not yield or ignore traffic signals. This puts pedestrians at risk of being hit while crossing the street.
Speeding: Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react to unexpected situations and increases the severity of accidents. Drivers who speed may find it hard to stop in time, especially in busy areas or when it’s hard to see.
Impaired Driving: Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs can seriously impact a driver’s judgment. It also affects coordination and reaction time. Impaired drivers are more likely to fail to see pedestrians, swerve onto sidewalks, or disobey traffic signals.
Hit and Run Incidents: According to the GHSA’s Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2024 Preliminary Data report, as many as 25% of all pedestrian deaths are caused by hit-and-run crashes, in which a vehicle hits a pedestrian and flees the scene to avoid culpability.
Failure to Obey Traffic Laws: Drivers and pedestrians must follow traffic signals and rules of the road to keep everyone safe. Ignoring laws like running red lights, disregarding stop signs, or crossing outside a crosswalk causes accidents and injuries. Pedestrians face the greatest danger when someone breaks traffic laws.
Road Design and Infrastructure: Unsafe road design puts pedestrians at risk. Missing crosswalks or signals, unclear signage, and poor lighting make it harder for drivers and pedestrians to navigate safely. These infrastructure problems create dangerous conditions and increase the likelihood of collisions.
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How Fault Is Determined in Pedestrian Accident Cases
Depending on the circumstances of the collision, multiple parties may be legally and financially responsible for a pedestrian accident.
In many of these accidents, driver negligence is the main culprit. After such a pedestrian accident, your pedestrian accident lawyer may file a lawsuit against the following parties:
- The driver: If the driver failed to follow the rules of the road, they could be held responsible for your accident.
- The vehicle manufacturer: If a defect in the car caused the accident, the manufacturer might be responsible. For example, faulty brakes or other defective parts can directly lead to an accident.
- The government: A government agency may be responsible if the crosswalk or the lighting system is damaged.
- The pedestrian: In some cases, the pedestrian may be held responsible for the accident. An example would be a pedestrian darting between two parked cars without looking for ongoing traffic.
Could It Be a Problem With the Crosswalk?
Vehicles must give the right-of-way to pedestrians when they cross the road at any crosswalk. This applies to both marked & unmarked crosswalks at intersections. But what if there is an issue with the crosswalk?
Sometimes, the driver may not be the only cause of a pedestrian accident. Crosswalk location and road design can also contribute to a pedestrian accident. Those who design and maintain public crosswalks must consider pedestrian safety. If they do not do this, & the crosswalk is unsafe, those in charge can be held responsible for a pedestrian accident.
Potential defendants in crosswalk location negligence may include, but are not limited to, engineering firms and governmental agencies. If you were hurt while crossing the street, a pedestrian accident lawyer at our firm can help you determine who is to blame.
Statistics on Pedestrian Accidents in the U.S.
Pedestrian accidents remain a serious concern nationwide. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more than 7,000 people were killed in pedestrian accidents in 2023. Most accidents happen when someone crosses a specific place, like a crosswalk, while walking, jogging, or playing. That same year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that, on average, a pedestrian was killed in a traffic accident in the U.S. every 72 minutes.
The National Safety Council also states that pedestrians accounted for about 17.9% of traffic deaths in 2023, and the highest number of pedestrian deaths took place among 35 to 44-year-olds.
More recently, the GHSA’s Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2024 report suggests that the number of U.S. pedestrians killed in 2024 represents a 4.3% decrease over the fatalities reported in the previous year, amounting to 324 fewer lives lost, although this number is still approximately 20% higher than 2016’s level.
What Common Injuries Do Pedestrians Suffer in Car Accidents?
Pedestrian accidents often result in severe harm. The human body simply cannot withstand the force of impact from thousands of pounds of metal. Common injuries include:
- Deep cuts (lacerations) and bruises (contusions), sometimes affecting major organs
- Head trauma, ranging from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Dental, jaw, and facial injuries, which may include eye damage and loss of vision
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis or other loss of function
- Broken bones and other orthopedic injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Neck, shoulder, and vertebral injuries
Frequently Asked Questions
Do pedestrians always have the right of way?
No. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. When crossing mid-block, pedestrians must yield to vehicles. If either side acts carelessly, e.g., stepping suddenly into traffic or speeding, the fault can be shared, and the fault share reduces any award.
Who pays for medical bills after a pedestrian accident?
Medical bills after a pedestrian accident may be paid by auto insurance, health insurance, or the at-fault driver’s liability coverage, depending on the laws of the state where the crash occurred.
What happens if you are found partially (or entirely) at fault for the accident?
Many states follow a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows injured pedestrians to recover compensation as long as they are not more than a certain percentage at fault. In these states, any compensation awarded is reduced by the pedestrian’s share of responsibility for the accident.
Other states apply contributory negligence rules, where a pedestrian may lose the right to recover damages if they are found even partially at fault.
Because negligence laws vary by state, the rules that apply to your case depend on where the accident occurred. A pedestrian accident lawyer can explain how fault laws affect your ability to recover compensation.
What if I don’t own a car? Do I still have medical coverage?
Yes, first-party benefits may still apply through another policy, such as a household member’s insurance or the policy on a vehicle involved in the crash. We look to the at-fault driver and UM/UIM if no such coverage applies.
Hit and run: How do I get my bills paid?
Report the crash fast, get treated, and make a UM claim under your policy; first-party medical benefits still pay first.
What if a hit-and-run driver hit me?
If a hit-and-run driver injured you, you may still be able to recover compensation. Your lawyer can help you explore options such as filing a claim with your insurance company. We can also assist in locating the at-fault driver even if they fled the scene.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim?
The time limit to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit depends on the law of the state where the accident occurred. Each state sets its own deadline for bringing an injury claim, and missing that deadline can permanently bar your right to compensation.
In some situations, such as accidents involving government vehicles or public property, shorter notice deadlines may apply.
Because these time limits vary, it’s important to speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can identify the deadline that applies to your case and take steps to protect your right to recover compensation.
Can a pedestrian be sued for causing an accident?
If a pedestrian is negligent and causes an accident, they can be held liable for the damages caused. However, proving a pedestrian caused an accident can be challenging, so you must contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.
Is a lawyer necessary for minor pedestrian accidents?
Even minor accidents can have long-term implications. A lawyer ensures you receive fair compensation for all current and future impacts.
Contact the Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Munley Law
For 65 years, the pedestrian accident lawyers at Munley Law have represented pedestrian accident victims and their families. We understand your concerns and are ready to represent you and your family. Our award-winning team of pedestrian accident attorneys won’t rest until injury victims get the justice they deserve.
When you hire Munley Law, we will send investigators to the scene of your accident to examine the location and preserve evidence. We use top engineering and accident reconstruction experts to build a winning pedestrian accident case for you. Our attorneys have won numerous multi-million dollar settlements for our clients to date, including:
- $3.5 million jury verdict for pedestrian hit by a truck
- $2.8 million settlement for a pedestrian accident case
- $2 million settlement for the family of a woman killed in a pedestrian accident
- $1.2 million settlement for boy hit by bus at summer camp
Our achievements are underscored by the many awards and accolades our firm and lawyers have received. Partners Robert Munley III, Caroline Munley, and Marion Munley are all members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and all of our partners have been named Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania by the National Trial Lawyers Association, with Marion Munley and Daniel Munley listed to the Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers, Caroline Munley honored in the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania and Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania lists, J. Christopher Munley named to the Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers list, and Mackenzie Wilson honored in the Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Attorneys in Pennsylvania list.
All partners have also been listed by the Irish Legal 100, and hold AV Preeminent Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell. Our partners have also been named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers directory, with Marion Munley added to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America list as well. No less than eight of our attorneys have been honored by Super Lawyers, with Marion Munley cited as one of the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania for the past three years, as well as being named to the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania and Top 50 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. These awards and many others highlight our firm’s professionalism and expertise in securing favorable verdicts for our clients.
Take the first step in hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer at Munley Law. If you or someone you love were hit by a car or other motor vehicle, contact us for a free consultation. We do not collect a fee unless we win your pedestrian accident case.
Daniel W. Munley
Daniel W. Munley is an award-winning personal-injury attorney and champion of plaintiffs’ rights. For decades he’s won multi-million verdicts and settlements and is recognized as a national leader in truck and rideshare litigation,including a record $26 million truck settlement in Northeastern Pennsylvania and a $20 million recovery in 2024 for life-altering commercial-vehicle injuries.
