Car accidents are not only terrifying for motor vehicle drivers and other motorists; pedestrians can also become severely injured from car accidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an estimated 137,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency departments as a result of nonfatal crash-related injuries in 2017. In that same year, there were 5,977 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the United States.
Pedestrian accidents are any accidents where a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian. While pedestrians can be individuals who are on foot, individuals who are found on skateboards, skates, or scooters can be identified as pedestrians. These accidents happen when pedestrians attempt to cross highways. Some of the common reasons for pedestrian accidents are:
Motor vehicle drivers and pedestrians have a duty to exercise reasonable care. A motor vehicle driver has reasonable care to operate their vehicle in a safe manner and avoid any reckless behavior while operating the vehicle. When the motor vehicle driver fails to exercise this reasonable care by driving recklessly and the driver’s actions caused a pedestrian accident, the driver can be held liable for the pedestrian’s injuries under negligence.
Likewise, a pedestrian has a duty to exercise reasonable care when traveling on foot in a safe manner. When a pedestrian fails to exercise reasonable care for his or her own safety, the pedestrian can be held negligent for their own injuries. For this reason alone, you need to consult a Montgomery County pedestrian accident attorney. Our team will thoroughly review the circumstances of the case to ensure that you are not held accountable for your injuries and the driver is instead.
Drivers may try to avoid liability for a pedestrian accident by insinuating that the pedestrian’s own negligent actions were the cause of the accident. For pedestrians who are victims of a motor vehicle accident, there are certain actions that the pedestrian should take afterward. The first action should be to call the police immediately.
After the police have been called, pedestrians should remain at the scene of the accident until help arrives. While waiting, pedestrians should gather the names and phone numbers of any witnesses who were present at the scene of the accident. Pedestrians should also remember not to give any statements to anyone, especially drivers and insurance companies.
If you or your loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you are entitled to just compensation for any medical expenses, punitive damages, or loss of enjoyment of life. Contact a Montgomery County pedestrian accident attorney at Solomon, Sherman & Gabay to help represent your case and allow you to focus on your recovery. Call us today at 215-665-1100 to schedule a free consultation.