Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries due to the significant size and weight difference between vehicles and unprotected individuals walking or crossing streets. Pennsylvania law provides strong protections for pedestrians, holding drivers accountable when they fail to yield right-of-way, drive distracted, or violate traffic laws that result in serious injuries. When pedestrians suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or other severe harm due to driver negligence, they may be entitled to substantial compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

The attorneys at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. understand the devastating impact pedestrian accidents have on victims and their families. We provide compassionate legal representation while aggressively pursuing maximum compensation from negligent drivers and their insurance companies to help our clients rebuild their lives after serious pedestrian injuries.

Contact us online or by phone to speak with an experienced Montgomery County pedestrian accident attorney today.

Pennsylvania Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws

Pennsylvania Vehicle Code establishes clear right-of-way rules designed to protect pedestrians in various traffic situations. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections, regardless of whether crosswalks are painted on the roadway. When pedestrians are crossing streets at traffic signals, drivers must wait for them to completely clear the crosswalk before proceeding, even if the signal changes during crossing. Pennsylvania law also requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid striking pedestrians, even when pedestrians may be violating traffic laws.

The state’s pedestrian protection laws extend beyond basic right-of-way rules to include specific requirements for school zones, construction areas, and residential neighborhoods. Drivers must reduce speed and exercise extra caution in areas where children are likely to be present, and they face enhanced penalties for striking pedestrians in designated safety zones. These comprehensive legal protections provide strong foundations for personal injury claims when drivers violate pedestrian safety laws and cause serious accidents.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Driver negligence represents the primary cause of pedestrian accidents, with distracted driving, speeding, and failure to yield right-of-way leading to most incidents. Cell phone use while driving has dramatically increased pedestrian accident rates as drivers focus on their devices rather than watching for people crossing streets or walking along roadways. Drunk driving also contributes significantly to pedestrian accidents, particularly during evening hours when visibility is reduced and impaired drivers have slower reaction times.

Poor road design and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure create dangerous conditions that contribute to accidents even when both drivers and pedestrians attempt to follow traffic laws. Intersections without proper crosswalk markings, insufficient lighting in high-traffic pedestrian areas, and missing sidewalks force pedestrians to walk in roadways where accidents are more likely to occur. Weather conditions and seasonal factors also affect pedestrian accident rates, but these conditions do not excuse drivers from their duty to operate vehicles safely and watch for pedestrians who may have difficulty navigating around obstacles.

Severe Injuries Common in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents frequently result in life-threatening injuries due to the lack of protection pedestrians have when struck by vehicles. Traumatic brain injuries represent one of the most serious consequences, often occurring when pedestrians’ heads strike the ground after being thrown from impact points. These injuries may require extensive rehabilitation, long-term care, and can result in permanent cognitive disabilities that affect victims’ ability to work and maintain independence. Spinal cord injuries and paralysis can occur when the force of vehicle impact causes damage to vertebrae and surrounding nervous system structures.

Internal organ damage and internal bleeding represent hidden dangers in pedestrian accidents that may not be immediately apparent at accident scenes. The blunt force trauma from vehicle impact can cause damage to organs and internal bleeding that threatens victims’ lives and requires immediate emergency medical intervention. Motor vehicle accident cases involving pedestrians often result in broken bones, particularly hip fractures and leg injuries that require multiple surgeries, extended recovery periods, and may result in permanent mobility limitations that significantly impact victims’ quality of life.

Proving Driver Liability in Pedestrian Cases

Successfully establishing driver liability in pedestrian accident cases requires thorough investigation and evidence gathering immediately following incidents. Police reports provide crucial initial documentation, but attorneys conduct independent investigations to gather witness statements, obtain traffic camera footage, and examine physical evidence at accident scenes. Driver negligence may be established through various forms of evidence including cell phone records showing distracted driving, testimony from witnesses who observed erratic or aggressive driving behavior, and analysis of skid marks or vehicle damage patterns.

Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence laws allow pedestrian accident victims to recover compensation even when they may have contributed to accidents through their own actions. Car accident lawyers work to minimize any fault attributed to pedestrians while maximizing recovery from negligent drivers and their insurance companies. Accident reconstruction specialists help determine vehicle speeds, impact angles, and sequence of events that led to pedestrian injuries, providing crucial expert testimony to establish liability and damages.

Insurance Coverage and Compensation for Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accident victims may access multiple sources of insurance coverage to address their injuries and financial losses. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance provides primary coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the accident. Pennsylvania’s minimum liability coverage requirements may be insufficient for serious pedestrian injuries, making it important to identify all available insurance sources including the victim’s own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage from victims’ own auto insurance policies can provide additional compensation when at-fault drivers lack adequate coverage. This protection applies even to pedestrians who do not own vehicles, as they may be covered under family members’ policies or through other relationships with insured individuals. Comprehensive insurance analysis helps maximize available coverage and ensures pedestrian accident victims receive full compensation for their extensive injuries and ongoing medical needs.

Contact Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. for Pedestrian Accident Representation

Pedestrian accidents cause devastating injuries that require immediate medical attention and skilled legal representation to protect victims’ rights and secure fair compensation. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payments to pedestrian accident victims or shift blame to injured parties to reduce their liability. We provide aggressive advocacy to hold negligent drivers accountable while helping our clients access the medical care and financial resources they need for recovery from catastrophic pedestrian injuries.

Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. has been recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report every year since 2010, reflecting our commitment to achieving positive outcomes for accident victims. With over 65 years of combined experience, our legal team provides compassionate representation while fighting aggressively to secure maximum compensation for pedestrian accident injuries and losses. Contact us today at (215) 822-7575 or through our contact form to discuss your pedestrian accident case.