A Pittsburgh pedestrian accident lawyer at Munley Law helps injured victims recover physically, financially, and emotionally after a serious crash. When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the consequences are often catastrophic, leaving families overwhelmed and uncertain about what comes next.
Munley Law brings nearly 70 years of experience in personal injury law, with nationally recognized trial attorneys, board-certified lawyers, and a proven record of multi-million-dollar results. Our firm has earned top rankings for litigation excellence and leadership within organizations such as the American Association for Justice.
We investigate every detail, work with leading experts, and fight for full compensation, whether through negotiation or trial. If you were hit by a vehicle in Pittsburgh, our pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to protect your rights and help you move forward.
Contact our Pittsburgh personal injury lawyers for a free consultation today.
What Injuries Can You Sustain After a Pedestrian Accident in Pittsburgh?
Both the impact of being hit by a car and the contact with the road can cause serious or life-threatening injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries – Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), are extremely serious. A head injury may be obvious if there are lacerations or fractures to the skull. But closed head injuries like a concussion or brain bleed are not always apparent, especially if the victim does not lose consciousness. However, the force of being struck by a vehicle is enough to cause the brain to strike the interior of the skull wall, resulting in injury or even permanent damage. TBIs can require expensive treatment and take months to recover from. The attorneys at Munley Law are intimately familiar with brain injuries and the many ways they can affect a victim’s life; we will fight to ensure you are fully compensated with the resources necessary to recover and move forward.
Spinal Cord Damage – Spinal cord injuries and other neck and back injuries are not only painful, but they can also result in temporary or permanent disability.
Internal Injuries – Pedestrian accident victims can also suffer from internal injuries such as internal bleeding, organ damage, and more.
Broken Bones – The impact of the car can cause a pedestrian to suffer broken bones. Broken bones can require expensive surgeries and lengthy, painful recovery time. They can also cause internal organ damage.
Road Rash – When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle and is vulnerable and unprotected, they can suffer road rash: a condition in which friction causes the skin to scrape off. While some road rash is minor and heals on its own after a few weeks, severe road rash may require skin grafts and cause permanent scarring. Road rash can also become infected, leading to more serious complications.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 How Can a Pittsburgh Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help?
After a pedestrian is struck by a car, truck, bus, or another vehicle, the resulting injuries can be severe. You might think your case is straightforward, but it’s not uncommon for defendants or their insurers to claim that the pedestrian darted into traffic, or was otherwise to blame for getting hit.
Even if the driver concedes that they were at fault, the insurance company is unlikely to offer a sufficient settlement until a pedestrian accident attorney gets involved. It is very important that you do not accept any offer of settlement from the insurance company before speaking with a Pittsburgh pedestrian accident lawyer. In fact, it is in your best interest not to speak with the driver’s insurance company at all. You are not obligated to give them a statement, and your lawyer can communicate with them on your behalf.
While you recover from your injuries, your legal team at Munley Law will work to see that you receive the compensation you deserve for the harm you suffered.
We work with local law enforcement, private investigators, and reconstructionists to determine the cause of your accident. We will work with medical experts to review your medical records and calculate the full extent of your economic damages as well as your pain and suffering. We will negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement, and we will prepare to bring your case to trial if necessary.
Our attorneys have won millions of dollars for pedestrians who were injured or killed by a vehicle.
Where Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Pittsburgh?
A pedestrian accident can happen anywhere: at an intersection or crosswalk, in a parking lot, in a residential neighborhood, or on a busy city street. Most pedestrian accidents in Pittsburgh happen within 500 feet of a bus or train stop. PennDOT reports that in 2024, there were 3,217 pedestrian crashes in Pennsylvania, of which 174 were fatal.
In 2021, the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) announced its first Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, identifying the policies and infrastructure improvements required to reduce the number and severity of pedestrian accidents in the city. The plan was formed in response to the fact that Pittsburgh has a large population of people who commute on foot to work each day, and that pedestrians are overrepresented among injury and fatal accident victims in the city. The plan utilizes local crash data to identify and fix critical pedestrian safety issues.
How Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Occur?
Any number of factors can contribute to a pedestrian accident in Pittsburgh, but driver negligence is a leading cause.
Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
Driver Distraction
Distracted driving is a ubiquitous problem nationwide. It has become extremely common for drivers to be engaged in multiple cognitive or visual tasks while behind the wheel.
The most common form of distraction, of course, is the mobile phone – including texting, talking, checking social media, using navigation or music streaming apps, and more. But distracted driving can include any activity that takes your mind, eyes, or hands away from the task of driving. While distracted driving is the cause of many car accidents every day, it is especially a problem for pedestrians. A driver looking down at their phone is even less likely to see a pedestrian than they are to notice a large vehicle.
Poor Visibility
Pedestrian accidents are more likely to happen when visibility is low. Twilight and nighttime hours see more pedestrian accidents than during broad daylight. However, darkness does not absolve drivers of responsibility. Rather, reasonable drivers should take extra care when driving at night or at times of low visibility to avoid hitting another vehicle or pedestrian.
Reckless or Aggressive Driving
Other reckless or aggressive driving behaviors, like speeding, drunk driving, or fatigued driving, can cause a driver to strike a pedestrian. Alcohol, drugs, and drowsiness all impair alertness and reaction time, and excessive speed not only makes it harder to stop for pedestrians but also makes the results of a crash far more serious.
Intersection Design
In some cases, the design or the state of the intersection or crosswalk may create dangerous conditions for pedestrians. The attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys will investigate to determine if the road design or condition contributed to the crash that caused your injuries. If you do wish to sue the government or a local municipality, there are certain restrictions you must account for, such as government immunity and filing limitations of only 6 months under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5522.
What Are Your Legal Rights After a Pedestrian Accident in Pennsylvania?
If you have an auto insurance policy, you can look to your own auto insurance PIP coverage for assistance paying your medical bills after being hit by a car. Beyond that, the at-fault driver’s insurance should also provide coverage for your losses.
It is important to know that, in Pennsylvania, your tort option on your auto insurance policy, if you have car insurance, will not affect your ability to sue for compensation. While limited tort policies place limits on the kinds of damages you can seek in a lawsuit, you are effectively exempt from these limitations as a pedestrian and will enjoy the benefits of full tort coverage.
How Long Do You Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Pittsburgh?
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524. This means you will have two years from the date of your pedestrian accident to file a lawsuit. What many people don’t realize, however, is that you will need to contact a lawyer much sooner than that.
Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way in Pennsylvania?
The rights and responsibilities of pedestrians are stated in Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code. According to Pennsylvania Title 75 Section 3542, in the absence of working traffic control signals, drivers should yield the right of way to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
However, pedestrians are not permitted to suddenly enter the roadway or the path of a vehicle so as to create a hazard. If a pedestrian wishes to cross the road where there is no intersection or crosswalk, they must yield to vehicles.
It is possible that the defense will attempt to blame you for the pedestrian accident; they may say you stepped into traffic and created a hazard, or that they were unable to stop in time to avoid hitting you. We will look at the police accident report for an indication of how the accident happened. However, if you dispute the facts as they appear in the police report, we can investigate the crash as well.
Can You Still Recover Compensation If You Were Partially at Fault?
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which states that victims can sue for their injuries as long as they are 50% or less at fault for the incident. Your award would then be reduced according to your share of the blame. A pedestrian accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can explain whether this rule would apply to you and your case.
What Happens If You Are Hit by a Truck or Bus in Pittsburgh?
In a busy, industrious city like Pittsburgh, pedestrians share the road with public buses, garbage trucks, delivery trucks, and other large vehicles every day. If you were hit by a truck or bus as a pedestrian, you will need a specific kind of lawyer.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is among the few law firms in Allegheny County with extensive experience in commercial vehicle and major transportation cases. We have dedicated decades of law practice to these special types of cases, and were among the first lawyers in the state to earn board certification in truck accident law. Truck and bus cases differ from regular car accidents in significant ways, and should only be entrusted to a law firm with experience and success handling these cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accident Claims in Pittsburgh
What Should I Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident in Pittsburgh?
After a pedestrian accident, your first priority should be seeking medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Some conditions, like internal bleeding or brain injuries, may not show symptoms right away. If possible, gather evidence at the scene, including photos and witness contact information. Speaking with a lawyer can help preserve critical evidence and protect your claim.
How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term impact on your life. Pain and suffering, as well as emotional distress, are also considered. Cases involving permanent disability or disfigurement typically result in higher compensation. An experienced attorney can evaluate your claim and provide a realistic estimate.
What If the Accident Involved a Rideshare Driver?
If a rideshare driver (such as an Uber or Lyft) caused the accident, multiple insurance policies may apply. Coverage depends on whether the driver was actively transporting a passenger or logged into the app. These cases can be complex and require careful investigation. A lawyer can identify all available sources of compensation.
Are Pedestrian Accidents More Common at Night?
Yes. A significant percentage of pedestrian fatalities occur during nighttime hours. Reduced visibility, impaired driving, and fatigue all contribute to increased risk. Drivers are expected to adjust their behavior in low-light conditions. Failure to do so can establish negligence.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
While you are not legally required to hire a lawyer, having one significantly improves your chances of recovering full compensation. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or shift blame onto the victim. An attorney can handle negotiations, gather evidence, and advocate on your behalf. This allows you to focus on recovery.
Book a Free Consultation with Our Pittsburgh Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Getting legal guidance after a pedestrian accident should be simple and accessible. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we make it free and easy to speak directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your case, answer your questions, and help you understand what to expect next. From the moment you reach out, our focus is on providing clear, practical advice tailored to your situation.
Our firm has built a reputation for handling complex injury claims, including cases involving commercial vehicles, catastrophic injuries, and disputed liability. We have recovered over $1 billion for clients across Pennsylvania and are known for taking on powerful insurance companies and corporate defendants. That experience allows us to anticipate challenges and position your case for the strongest possible outcome.
There are no upfront costs to get started. We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact Munley Law today by phone or through our online form to schedule your free consultation and get the support you need to move forward.
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.
