A State College pedestrian accident lawyer provides legal representation for individuals injured while walking or biking in the Penn State University area. When drivers fail to yield to pedestrians, the resulting pedestrian and bicycle accidents often cause devastating, life-altering injuries. Pedestrians and lack the protection that motorists have, making them particularly vulnerable on busy college streets. Here distracted or reckless driving and heavy foot traffic create dangerous conditions.
At Munley Law, we understand the unique challenges pedestrian accident victims face. Our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys have successfully represented numerous State College residents and students who suffered injuries while crossing intersections, or walking through campus or downtown. While we thoroughly investigate each case, we identify all responsible parties, pursue maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Call Munley Law TODAY for a FREE Consultation with a personal injury lawyer if you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in State College!
Common Serious Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents in State College
When pedestrians are involved in motor vehicle accidents, the physical consequences are often severe and life-altering. Such accidents cause head trauma, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic issues, internal organ damage and psychological trauma. Head trauma — including traumatic brain injuries — frequently occur when victims are thrown to the pavement, potentially causing long-term cognitive impairments, memory loss, and personality changes. Spinal cord injuries can lead to nerve damage and paralysis, requiring lifetime medical care and adaptive equipment.
Orthopedic injuries include broken legs, pelvic fractures, and shoulder injuries, often requiring surgical intervention and extensive physical therapy. Internal organ damage may not be apparently in the immediate aftermath but can cause life-threatening complications when left untreated. Psychological trauma like PTSD can cause flashbacks, anxiety, and fear of crossing streets or walking near traffic.
These injuries dramatically impact long-term quality of life, affecting injured parties’ ability to work, engage in hobbies, maintain relationships, and perform daily activities. Many pedestrian accident survivors face years of medical treatments and rehabilitation while dealing with chronic pain and emotional distress.
Proving Negligence in Your State College Pedestrian Accident Case
In order to successfully recover a fair settlement after a pedestrian accident, one must identify the negligent party responsible. The legal concept of negligence has specific elements that personal injury attorneys must demonstrate: a duty of care existed, that duty was breached, the breach caused your injuries, and you suffered damages as a result.
Driver negligence is the most common cause in pedestrian collisions. This includes distracted driving (e.g., texting or talking on the phone), speeding through crosswalks, failing to yield to pedestrians, driving under the influence, or disregarding traffic signals. In some cases, property owner negligence contributes to pedestrian accidents through inadequate lighting in parking lots or walkways, poor maintenance of pedestrian paths, or failure to remove hazards. Municipality negligence may also play a role when defective traffic signals, poor road design, or inadequate crosswalk markings create dangerous conditions.
Munley Law employs comprehensive evidence collection strategies, including obtaining surveillance footage, analyzing police reports, photographing the accident scene, and interviewing witnesses. We frequently collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and safety experts, who provide authoritative testimony regarding the circumstances surrounding your accident and the extent of your injuries. Don’t try to handle the complex legal process alone. Call Munley Law TODAY for a FREE Consultation with one of our experienced lawyers to discuss your legal needs.
Compensation Available for Pedestrian Accident Victims in State College
Injured pedestrians are entitled to various forms of compensation to address the personal and financial burdens they’ve suffered. Medical expenses form a significant portion of these damages, covering emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, medication, and specialized care. Our attorneys work with medical experts to accurately project future treatment costs, ensuring your settlement accounts for ongoing healthcare needs.
Accounting for lost wages compensate you for income lost while recovering, while diminished earning capacity addresses potential long-term or permanent reductions in your ability to work. Pain and suffering damages acknowledge the physical discomfort and distress you’ve experienced, which often exceeds the impact of financial losses alone.
Emotional distress compensation covers anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and other psychological effects caused by the accident and recovery process. Rehabilitation costs include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and counseling services necessary for recovery.
Quality of life impacts address how the accident has affected your ability to enjoy daily activities, hobbies, and relationships. In cases where a pedestrian accident results in death, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
What to Do Immediately Following a Pedestrian Accident in Centre County
The actions you take in the hours and days after a pedestrian accident can significantly impact your physical recovery and your personal injury case. Seeking immediate medical attention should be your top priority, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Some serious conditions, including internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries, may not present obvious symptoms immediately but can become life-threatening if left untreated. Additionally, medical documentation creates an official record connecting your injuries to the accident.
If possible, documenting the accident scene helps preserve crucial evidence. Take photos of the vehicle, your injuries, road conditions, traffic signals, crosswalks, and any environmental factors that may have contributed to the accident. Gathering witness information is equally important — collect names, phone numbers, and statements from anyone who observed the accident before memories fade or witnesses become unreachable.
Reporting the accident properly to police ensures an official report is filed. This document serves as an important foundation for your legal claim. However, be cautious about making statements to insurance companies representing the driver. Their representatives often attempt to secure statements that minimize their client’s liability and may use your words against you later.
Contact Munley Law as soon as possible after receiving medical treatment. Our attorneys can immediately begin protecting your rights by communicating with insurance companies, preserving evidence, and building your legal case while you focus on recovery. We can also advise you on important deadlines, including Pennsylvania’s two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
The Munley Law Advantage for State College Pedestrian Accident Victims
Munley Law brings decades of combined experience in pedestrian accident litigation to your case. Our attorneys have established a record of successful settlements and verdicts for pedestrian accident victims throughout Pennsylvania, including numerous cases in State College. We understand the local dynamics that contribute to these accidents, particularly around campus areas and downtown intersections where pedestrian traffic is heaviest.
Our approach emphasizes client-focused, compassionate representation. We recognize that you’re going through a difficult time, and we ensure you’re informed and supported throughout the legal process. You’ll work directly with our attorneys rather than being passed off to paralegals or case managers. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning there’s no fee unless we win your case through settlement or verdict.
Our team possesses in-depth knowledge of local State College roadways and pedestrian areas, including high-risk locations around Penn State University, College Avenue, Beaver Avenue, and other heavily trafficked areas. This local insight proves invaluable when investigating accidents and establishing negligence.
Experience the Munley Law difference. Schedule your confidential, FREE consultation with our award-winning pedestrian accident attorneys today!
