Pennsylvania Crosswalk Accident Lawyer

With Pennsylvania seeing a concerning rise in pedestrian accidents at marked crosswalks, particularly in urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, experienced legal representation is more needed than ever before. If you’ve been injured crossing the street, a Pennsylvania crosswalk accident lawyer at Munley Law can help you secure the compensation you deserve. 

Our legal team has spent decades representing pedestrians struck by vehicles while legally crossing the street. We understand how devastating these accidents can be — from severe injuries that require extensive medical care to lost wages that put financial strain on your family.

Our attorneys work closely with accident reconstruction experts, gather surveillance footage, interview witnesses, and build strong cases against negligent drivers and their insurance companies.

Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation with our crosswalk accident attorneys. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and fight to protect your rights while you tend to your recovery.

Why Choose Munley Law for Your Pennsylvania Crosswalk Accident Case

Our Pennsylvania pedestrian accident attorneys have secured millions of dollars in compensation for clients struck by vehicles in crosswalks. When you choose Munley Law, you work directly with senior attorneys who have earned national recognition for their success in personal injury law. Our firm stands apart because we dedicate substantial resources to every crosswalk accident case – from bringing in accident reconstruction specialists to hiring medical experts who can fully document your injuries.

Unlike many law firms, we maintain a small caseload to ensure that each client receives personalized attention. We understand the devastating impact of crosswalk accidents, so our team handles every aspect of your claim. From dealing with aggressive insurance companies to tracking down surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, we take care of the legal work so you can focus on healing.

Our record of success in crosswalk accident cases includes a $2 million settlement for the family of a woman who was struck and killed by the negligent driver of a pickup truck while trying to cross the crosswalk in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

Common Causes of Pennsylvania Crosswalk Accidents

Understanding the causes of crosswalk accidents helps pedestrians and drivers prevent dangerous situations at marked intersections. According to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation data, crosswalk accidents in Pennsylvania occur due to several key factors:

• Driver negligence remains the leading cause of crosswalk accidents across the state. Most incidents occur when drivers fail to yield to pedestrians with the right of way. Negligence often takes the form of distracted driving, particularly when drivers use their phones or text while driving. Other dangerous behaviors include speeding through intersections, rolling through stop signs, making turns without checking for pedestrians, and running red lights.
• Poor visibility significantly increases crosswalk accident risk, particularly during Pennsylvania’s winter months when daylight is shorter. Dawn and dusk are especially dangerous times, even at marked crosswalks. This reduced visibility becomes even more hazardous in heavy rain, snow, fog, or areas with inadequate street lighting. Missing or damaged reflective signs and glare from the sun or headlights can further compromise driver visibility at crosswalks.
• Infrastructure problems create additional risks for pedestrians using crosswalks. Faded or worn crosswalk markings make it difficult for drivers to identify crossing areas while malfunctioning pedestrian signals and inadequate crossing times put pedestrians in danger. Some intersections suffer from poor design, including obstructed sight lines that make it hard for drivers to spot pedestrians until it’s too late. Lack of proper lighting around crosswalks compounds such infrastructure issues, especially during early morning or evening hours.

Indeed, these factors rarely occur in isolation. A distracted driver approaching a poorly lit crosswalk with faded markings creates a particularly hazardous situation for pedestrians. Understanding how various causes interact helps highlight the importance of both driver attention and proper crosswalk maintenance in preventing serious accidents.

Crosswalk Accidents Involving Commercial Trucks

Among the most dangerous crosswalk scenarios are those involving commercial vehicles, which require special attention due to their size and limited maneuverability. Accidents involving commercial trucks at crosswalks present unique dangers and legal challenges for pedestrians. Due to their size and limited visibility, trucks have larger blind spots and need more time to stop, making crosswalk encounters more hazardous. 

In urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, truck drivers must exercise extra caution when approaching crosswalks, especially when making wide turns that might require them to cross multiple lanes.

Truck crosswalk accidents can be more legally complex than typical pedestrian accidents. Multiple parties may share responsibility, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, or truck manufacturers. Federal regulations require commercial drivers to undergo special training for operating in pedestrian-heavy areas, and violations of these requirements can strengthen an injury claim.

Injuries from truck-pedestrian accidents at crosswalks tend to be catastrophic. The sheer size difference between a commercial truck and a pedestrian means even low-speed impacts can cause severe trauma such as spinal cord injuries, crushed limbs, traumatic brain injuries, or fatal injuries.

In truck crosswalk accident cases, it’s essential to obtain records such as the driver’s logbook, truck maintenance records, and company safety policies. This documentation can reveal whether fatigue, poor vehicle maintenance, or inadequate training contributed to the accident.

Our Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers have extensive experience with both pedestrian and truck accident cases, giving us unique insight into these complex claims. When any type of crosswalk accident occurs, whether involving a passenger vehicle or commercial truck, taking immediate action is essential to protect your health and legal rights.

Pennsylvania Crosswalk Laws and Your Rights

Pennsylvania law gives pedestrians specific rights when using crosswalks. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. This means drivers should stop and remain stopped while a pedestrian crosses in front of their vehicle. The law applies whether the crosswalk has signals, stop signs, or no traffic controls.

A driver’s failure to yield at a crosswalk results in a $50 fine, but the legal consequences become much more serious when the violation leads to an injury. Beyond traffic citations, drivers who hit pedestrians in crosswalks may face civil liability for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Under Pennsylvania law, pedestrians also have responsibilities. While crossing, they must obey traffic signals and cross within marked crosswalks when they are available. Pedestrians should not suddenly leave the curb and walk into the path of a vehicle if it’s too close to yield safely.

Pennsylvania follows modified comparative negligence rules in pedestrian accident cases. This means injured pedestrians can still recover compensation even if they were partially at fault, as long as they were not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident. However, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault.

The state gives pedestrians two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit, known as the statute of limitations, makes it important to take legal action promptly. Waiting too long can result in losing your right to seek compensation.

Compensation for Crosswalk Accident Victims

Pedestrians hit by vehicles in crosswalks often face extensive medical care, lost income, and other financial burdens. Pennsylvania law allows injured pedestrians to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault driver and their insurance company.

Medical expenses make up the bulk of most crosswalk accident claims. This includes emergency room care, surgeries, hospital stays, follow-up appointments, physical therapy, and medication costs. Because crosswalk accidents often result in serious injuries like broken bones, head trauma, or spinal damage, medical treatment might continue for months or even years. Compensation should cover both current and future medical expenses related to the accident.

Lost wages and diminished earning capacity represent another significant area of compensation. Many crosswalk accident victims cannot work while recovering from their injuries. Some face permanent disabilities that prevent them from returning to their previous job or working at all. Compensation should account for all lost income, including salary, commissions, bonuses, and benefits.

Pain and suffering damages acknowledge the physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by the accident. This includes ongoing pain, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and loss of enjoyment in daily activities. While harder to quantify than medical bills, these non-economic damages often make up a substantial portion of crosswalk accident settlements.

Insurance companies typically offer low initial settlements that fail to account for the full impact of a crosswalk accident. They may pressure victims to accept quick payments before the full extent of injuries becomes clear. Get a free case evaluation before accepting any settlement offers to ensure that you receive fair compensation for all your damages.

What to Do After a Crosswalk Accident in Pennsylvania

The moments following a crosswalk accident are critical for your safety and your legal rights. Your first priority should be your health. Call emergency services immediately or ask someone nearby to call for help. Even if you feel able to walk, stay still until medical help arrives, as movement could worsen potential injuries. Some serious injuries, such as head trauma or internal injuries, may not show immediate symptoms but require urgent medical attention.

While waiting for emergency responders, gather as much information as possible if your injuries permit. Take photos of the accident scene with your phone, including the crosswalk markings, any traffic signals, and the vehicle involved. Get the driver’s name, contact information, license plate number, and insurance details. Look around for any security cameras on nearby buildings that might have captured the accident, and note their locations.

Witness statements often make a significant difference in crosswalk accident cases. Ask any bystanders who saw the accident to share their contact information and what they observed. When police arrive, make sure that they create an official accident report and give you a copy. This report will contain important details about the crash, including the officer’s observations and any citations issued to the driver.

Avoid discussing fault or making statements about your injuries to anyone at the scene, including the driver or their insurance company. Insurance adjusters often contact accident victims quickly, seeking statements they can use to minimize compensation. Politely decline to give statements or sign any documents until you’ve had time to understand the full extent of your injuries and consult with a legal professional.

Keep detailed medical records, including emergency care, follow-up visits, prescribed medications, and any rehabilitation. Document how your injuries affect your daily life and ability to work. Save all medical bills, correspondence from insurance companies, and proof of lost wages.

Contact a crosswalk accident attorney before accepting any settlement offers from insurance companies. Schedule a free consultation today to understand your rights and receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Get Started With a Free Case Evaluation

Munley Law provides personalized attention to every client, fighting against insurance companies that try to minimize or deny valid claims. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these accidents take on victims and their families.

Our crosswalk accident attorneys will evaluate your case on a contingency basis with no upfront costs, answer your questions, and explain how we can help. We only get paid if we win your case. As mentioned, time is of the essence in filing crosswalk accident claims in Pennsylvania, so don’t wait for the legal help you need.

Contact Munley Law today or complete our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. Our team is available 24/7 to take your call and start protecting your rights.