Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are a common and welcome sight in many Colorado cities. Yet, the state may be becoming a more dangerous place for people who get around on two feet. In 2018, 90 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in Colorado—a 40% increase from 2015.

At The Law Offices of Edward Smith, our Longmont pedestrian accident lawyer has over 30 of experience helping accident victims across Colorado win the compensation they deserve following a traffic accident. If you or a loved one was hit by a car or other motor vehicle while walking, you may be able to receive compensation that will pay for your medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages from missed work, and more. We will evaluate your case during a free, no-obligation consultation with founding attorney Edward Smith.

Most pedestrian accidents are the fault of a motorist. People driving cars tend to look out for hazards in the road and from other drivers, so they are not always anticipating a person at a crosswalk or otherwise near or on the road.

In cases such as the above, it is generally straightforward to prove that the motorist was liable for the accident. Simply being hit by a car while crossing a street does not guarantee that you can make a personal injury claim, however—you must prove that the driver who hit you was negligent and that your yourself were at little or no fault in the accident. If you cross a road at an intersection while a “Don’t walk” sign is being displayed, for instance, the fault will most likely fall to you and not on the driver who hit you.

Always seek medical attention after an accident. Because pedestrians don’t have the protection of airbags and a chassis like motorists do, they tend to suffer the most serious injuries in traffic accidents.

It is vital that you visit a doctor shortly after your accident even if you feel fine and don’t have any obvious injuries like cuts or bruises. Injuries involving head trauma and other internal damage may not manifest until days or weeks after the accident. Instead of waiting and perhaps suffering more than necessary, it’s best to head to a doctor right away just in case.

Seeking medical attention has an added benefit as well. Having a traceable paper trail documenting your health after an accident will strengthen your personal injury claim. If you don’t visit a doctor after your accident and get a diagnosis, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may use this information against you to argue you are lying about your injuries. Having medical records on file adds to your credibility.

A pedestrian can be either partially or fully at fault for a car pedestrian accident despite the fact that motor vehicles must always yield to pedestrians while they are in the road. This is because pedestrians still have a responsibility to ensure they are following traffic laws. Some of the most common situations

There are many factors that need to be considered when it comes to pedestrian accident liability. If you have been injured, contact Longmont pedestrian accident attorneys today to learn how we can help you.