Whether you are walking to your car, crossing the street to a restaurant, or out for a jog, at some point every day, everyone is a pedestrian. We rely on drivers to be vigilant and on our public infrastructure to keep us safe. Yet, the reality is that our roads are incredibly dangerous for those on foot.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tracks these incidents, and their data is alarming. According to the NHTSA’s official pedestrian safety page, a pedestrian is killed every 72 minutes in the United States, with tens of thousands more suffering serious injuries each year.
These are not just statistics; they are lives shattered by a moment of driver inattention or negligence. When a crash happens, the legal and physical recovery for the victim is often a long and arduous journey. Understanding your rights is the first and most critical step.
Why Pedestrian Accident Cases Are So Complex
On the surface, it seems simple: a driver has a fundamental duty to watch for and yield to pedestrians. However, insurance companies will often go to great lengths to shift blame onto the victim. They may argue:
- “The pedestrian was distracted by their phone.”
- “They were wearing dark clothing at night.”
- “They weren’t in a designated crosswalk.”
While pedestrians also have a responsibility to be careful, the legal duty to prevent a collision rests heavily on the operator of the two-ton vehicle. An experienced attorney knows how to counter these victim-blaming tactics and prove the driver’s negligence.
How We Build a Winning Pedestrian Accident Case
We treat every pedestrian accident case with the seriousness it deserves, knowing that the injuries are often catastrophic. Our investigation is thorough and immediate.
- Securing Evidence: We immediately work to preserve any available evidence, such as dash cam or security camera footage, witness statements, and the driver’s cell phone records to investigate potential distracted driving.
- Accident Reconstruction: We work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze the crash scene, vehicle speeds, and sightlines to scientifically prove how the collision occurred and demonstrate the driver’s fault.
- Demonstrating the Full Impact of Your Injuries: A pedestrian impact often leads to devastating harm, including multiple fractures, spinal cord injuries, and severe traumatic brain injuries. We work with medical and life-care planning experts to calculate the total, lifelong cost of your injuries.
The NHTSA’s data is a clear call to action. The danger is real, and the consequences are severe. In the most tragic cases, a family is left to mourn an immeasurable loss. In these situations, we compassionately guide families through the process of filing a wrongful death claim to secure their future and hold the negligent driver accountable.
You have the right to walk in your community without fear of being struck by a careless driver. When that right is violated, you have the right to seek justice.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian, please contact Manoukian Law for a free and confidential consultation.
