Even the most careful pedestrians can encounter a careless or reckless driver, leading to an event that changes the course of their lives. A routine walk through an intersection can quickly become an emergency response, hospital treatment, and time away from work. After a crash, injured pedestrians often face medical bills, lost income, and contact from insurance companies before they fully understand the extent of their injuries.
Our Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyers are here to explain your rights and help you move forward with a claim. Munley Law has represented injured people in Pennsylvania since 1959 and has recovered compensation in serious injury cases involving motor vehicle collisions. Our attorneys prepare each case for trial and pursue accountability when a driver’s negligence causes harm.
Several attorneys at Munley Law are board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), a credential earned by a limited number of trial lawyers nationwide. Our attorneys hold NBTA certifications in civil trial law, civil trial advocacy, and truck accident law. Certification requires verified trial experience, peer review, and ongoing legal education.
Our clients have given us five-star Google Reviews, while our peers and various legal institutions in Pennsylvania and beyond routinely recognize our contributions to the profession. Our firm is annually recognized by Best Law Firms, and we’re routinely honored by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, and others.
An attorney at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you pursue the compensation you might be due following the collision. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Why Are Philly’s Walkable Streets So Dangerous for Pedestrians?
Philly is one of the top five most walkable cities in the United States. In fact, the city was named the Most Walkable City to Visit by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025. From the historic Center City neighborhoods to the al fresco dining in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia’s restaurants, bookstores, cafes, local grocers, and shops are a short walk from many Philadelphia addresses.
However, with more people walking the city’s streets and avenues, there is a greater chance of pedestrian accidents. If you’ve been injured by a car, truck, or other vehicle while walking, our Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyer can fight for compensation on your behalf.
What Do Statistics Reveal About Pedestrian Accidents in Pennsylvania?
Unfortunately, pedestrian deaths have increased nationwide in recent years, and in Philadelphia, they are higher than the national average. The City of Philadelphia reports that pedestrian fatalities occur at a higher rate than in similar large cities. According to a 2018 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report shared in the 2021 Vision Zero Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, the pedestrian fatality rate in Philly is double that of New York City. Accounting for 38% of severe crashes in the city, hit pedestrians were the most common type of crash in 2023, according to the 2024 Vision Zero Annual Report.
Unfortunately, these accidents aren’t limited to the City of Brotherly Love. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reported that 174 pedestrians were killed and 2,990 were injured in accidents across the Keystone State in 2024. 51 of these pedestrian fatalities occurred in Philadelphia County. While these figures are alarmingly high, it’s worth noting they represent a slight decrease from the number of pedestrians killed or injured in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Philadelphia’s most vulnerable pedestrians, like children and the elderly, are more likely to suffer severe injuries or die after being hit by a car. Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after your collision so they can advocate for you, speak with any witnesses who may have been present, and establish that you were not at fault for the accident.
Which Philly Streets Are Riskiest as a Motorist or Pedestrian?
“Vision Zero” is a multi-year safety initiative the City of Philadelphia continues under Mayor Cherelle Parker. According to the project’s website, using a five-year trend of crash data (PennDOT, 2019 – 2023; excludes interstates), the High Injury Network (HIN) is comprised of the corridors across the city on which the most severe crashes occur involving drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Eighty percent of all traffic deaths and serious injuries occurred on just twelve percent of Philly streets. The twelve percent of streets comprise the High Injury Network. These streets are:
- Fifth Street & Olney Avenue
- Broad Street & Race Street
- Broad Street & Girard Avenue
- Cottman Avenue & Roosevelt Boulevard
- Broad Street & Olney Avenue
- Broad Street & Lehigh Avenue
- Market Street & 40th Street
- Market Street & 11th Street
- Chelten Avenue & Wayne Avenue
- Market Street & 12th Street
- Market Street & 63rd Street
- Cecil B. Moore Avenue & Broad Street
Who’s at Fault for Your Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Claim?
While both motorists and pedestrians must remain alert and adhere to the rules of the road, driver negligence is a major contributing factor to collisions in Philly. Motorists have a responsibility to take reasonable care and pay attention to their surroundings.
In Pennsylvania, pedestrians have the right of way within crosswalks (75 Pa. C.S. § 3542 )or at an intersection, whether or not there is a traffic signal present. Conversely, vehicles have the right of way in places where there is no intersection or crosswalk. It is illegal for motorists to pass a vehicle stopped for individuals in a crosswalk, as the second driver may not see them and cause an accident.
The Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyers at Munley Law will investigate your accident, gather evidence, and work with reconstructionists and other experts to identify the liable party or parties. When we know who’s at fault for your accident, we will hold them accountable and pursue full compensation for your injuries.
What Causes Pedestrian Accident Victims’ Injuries in Philadelphia?
There is no shortage of ways for drivers to get distracted and take their eyes off the road at the wrong time. Some of the most common causes of Philadelphia car accidents with pedestrians being impacted include:
- Distracted driving: Smartphone-related distraction is the top cause of the spike in pedestrian deaths. Drivers who take their eyes and/or attention from the road to answer a text or scroll through social media are less likely to see an individual in the roadway or intersection.
- Speeding: Drivers who fail to maintain a safe speed, especially in congested areas where pedestrians and cars share the road, endanger the lives of the people around them. Speed is the number one factor in determining whether a collision will be fatal or not. When struck by a vehicle traveling at 20 MPH, a human being typically has a 90% chance of surviving. If the car is moving at 40 MPH, the pedestrian has just a 10% chance of surviving the impact. Maintaining a safe speed not only reduces the damage done in a car crash but can also decrease the likelihood of an accident in the first place.
- Aggressive driving: Some drivers fail to yield to pedestrians at a crosswalk or fail to wait until the individual has fully exited the crosswalk before proceeding, causing an accident.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is wholly unacceptable and puts innocent people’s lives in danger. If you were struck by a driver who was intoxicated, even if you were on the sidewalk, we will help make sure that person is held accountable for the accident.
- Crosswalk/road design: Some crosswalks or intersections may have been designed in a way that puts pedestrians at risk, despite traffic laws, especially if multiple accidents have occurred at the same location. We will look into this possibility and investigate all potential paths to recovery.
When Should You Call Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Attorneys?
After being hit by a car, you may think the situation is fairly cut and dried; the driver was in the wrong, and you are owed compensation. The at-fault driver’s insurance company may even offer you a sum of money upfront. However, it is extremely important that you do not accept an offer of settlement before speaking with a lawyer. Most often, settlements offered by insurance companies won’t be enough to cover your losses and long-term expenses after such a terrible car crash. They may even attempt to suggest that you deserve less because you were partially at fault and may even be liable for damages. If you accept a settlement offer, you waive your right to seek additional compensation for damages, even if your condition or disability worsens over time.
This is why it’s important to talk to a pedestrian accident lawyer from Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, a firm that has handled similar cases and has reached some of the largest settlements and verdicts in the state of Pennsylvania. Let us put that experience to work for you. We will help you recover compensation for your medical bills, future treatment, lost wages, and/or earning power, as well as pain and suffering.
We won’t spare any time getting to work on your case. We will deploy investigators and experts right away to begin building your case. As your lawyers, we will be your resource for anything you might need in the aftermath of the incidents that occurred. We will answer any questions you may have, help you rebuild your life, and take care of the legal process on your behalf.
How Much Does a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Cost You?
Our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers do not get paid unless they win your case. We only take a lesser portion of the settlement after you receive financial compensation to cover our case expenses. If we cannot get results for you, you owe us nothing. We incur all of the risks and cover all of the upfront costs so that you never pay anything upfront or out of your own pocket.
Since Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys was founded almost 70 years ago, it has been our philosophy that justice is for everyone, and cost should never keep someone from getting the help they need.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
With numerous factors to take into account, pedestrian accident cases can be complex. The team’s pedestrian-accident verdicts and prove the depth they bring to a fault investigation. Munley Law has handled these cases for almost seven decades, and our attorneys have more than 250 years of combined legal experience. We know what we’re doing, whether we’re facing insurance companies at the negotiation table or arguing your case in court, which is why we’ve been able to recover more than $1 billion in damages for clients over the years. Our client victories include a $3.5 million jury verdict in a truck–pedestrian collision and a $2.8 million settlement in a separate pedestrian injury case.
You can expect these kinds of results from a firm whose attorneys have numerous accolades and awards from various legal bodies and organizations. The National Board of Trial Advocacy has board-certified Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, and Katie Nealon in Truck Accident Law and board-certified Marion, Daniel, J. Christopher Munley, and John Mulcahey in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy. Marion and Daniel are also members of the invitation-only American Board of Trial Advocates, and Marion currently serves as the Vice President of the American Association for Justice.
All our partners received AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell and were named among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania by the National Trial Lawyers, who also named J. Christopher among the Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers in the Keystone State. We’ve also been honored by Irish Legal 100 and Lawdragon, and three of our attorneys are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
What this record means for you is when we take a Philadelphia pedestrian case to trial, we walk in with a paper trail of multimillion-dollar verdicts. Insurers know that, and it shapes what they’re willing to pay before trial.
If there’s one firm you can trust with your pedestrian accident case in Philly, that firm is Munley Law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Cases
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Philly?
Despite advancements in technology, as well as efforts to increase awareness, these types of crashes remain far too common. In 2024, 51 pedestrians were killed in Philadelphia County.
Who’s the Most Likely Victim of a Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident?
The age groups most likely to be struck by a car, truck, or bus are the most vulnerable members of our society: seniors and children. Almost half of pedestrians killed in accidents by vehicles are over the age of 50; another 30% of fatal pedestrian accident cases involve individuals under the age of 19.
Where Do Fatal Pedestrian Accidents Hit Hardest in Philly?
Northeast Philly, Kensington, Elmwood, and parts of Center City see the highest number of pedestrian deaths in the city.
Does Limited Tort Apply if I Was Hit as a Pedestrian?
If you were hit by a car while walking, the tort option (Full or Limited Tort) on your own household auto policy still controls your right to recover non-economic damages. L.S. ex rel. A.S. v. Eschbach, 583 Pa. 47 (2005). If you do not have a household auto policy and no resident relative does either, you default to Full Tort under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1705(b)(3) and can recover pain and suffering without meeting the “serious injury” threshold. If you do have Limited Tort coverage, you may still recover non-economic damages under the same statutory exceptions that apply to drivers (DUI, out-of-state vehicle, commercial vehicle, or a “serious injury”). A Munley Law attorney can review your policy and identify which exceptions apply.
What Injuries Do Accident Victims Suffer?
Although we are all aware of the dangers of crossing the street, nobody ever plans on being struck by a moving car. When it does happen, the outcomes are frequently catastrophic.
The amount of physical stress caused by thousands of pounds of metal striking the human body, possibly at extremely high speeds, is beyond the capacity of the human body to withstand. As a result, people hit by cars frequently suffer very serious injuries such as:
- Internal bleeding
- Broken ribs
- Head injuries such as concussion
- Shoulder displacement
- Vertebrae injuries
- Neck injuries
- Jaw Fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Skull damage
- Injuries leading to death
How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit?
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, injured parties have two years to file their investigation and claim under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2). As the victim, you want to talk to your lawyer soon after the car crash occurs. Your recollections can fade as time passes, witnesses can be more difficult to contact, and gathering a record of the incident and collecting any data and evidence is always most effective when done as soon as possible.
What Damages Can You Recover In A Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Case?
You can recover economic and non-economic damages in a Philadelphia pedestrian accident case. These damages are intended to cover losses such as the direct medical costs related to harm caused by the accident, pain and suffering resulting from the accident, the cost of mental health treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, and the cost of physical therapy related to the accident.
Contact Our Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Our lawyers are ready to get to work for you today. Start with a free consultation to get answers to your questions and learn about your legal options. We will explain the process and help you decide what to do next. There is no obligation associated with the consultation and no charge. If you are unable to come to us, we will travel to meet with you, or we can meet with you virtually to discuss your accident case and get justice.
With Munley Law, you can rest assured that your case will be in the best possible hands.
Daniel W. Munley
Daniel W. Munley is a highly honored and compassionate pedestrian accident attorney. During his tenure at Munley Law, he has contributed to several multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for injured pedestrian accident victims, with examples including a $2 Million settlement for the family of a woman killed in a pedestrian accident. Daniels accreditations extend to being triple board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and receiving an AV Preeminent Rating and Platinum-Level Client Champion award from Martindale-Hubbell.
