Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2019, 6,205 pedestrians died in traffic accidents on public roads. Most pedestrian deaths occurred in urban settings, with the largest number of pedestrian deaths occurring on Saturdays and most occurring at night. During the daylight hours, the number of pedestrian deaths remains relatively consistent throughout the week.
Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable when hit by a 3,000-pound passenger vehicle—or an 80,000-pound truck. If you are a pedestrian who has been hit by a vehicle, you should immediately contact pedestrian accident Attorney Brad Johnson to ensure your rights and your future are properly protected. The consultation is always 100% free.
At Brad Johnson Injury Law, we are trained to investigate your pedestrian accident injury, obtain all of the facts, interview witnesses and work directly with the insurance so you can focus on healing. The insurance company might not help you as much as you expected, and if this is the case, we’re here for you! We work hard in seeking the maximum settlement for your injuries.
Remember, you are protected by Arizona law as a pedestrian. Drivers who hit a pedestrian are not let off the hook simply because the victim was not driving a car. Know your rights, and know we are here to help. If you are a pedestrian who has been hit by an automobile, contact Brad Johnson to discuss your situation and evaluate your options.
Why Should You Hire a Pedestrian Accident Attorney?
Being injured in a pedestrian accident is certainly an overwhelming experience and one that frequently prompts victims to contact an experienced pedestrian attorney as quickly as possible. Getting help from a pedestrian injury lawyer who has extensive experience in this area of the law can give you peace of mind and confidence about how your case is managed. At Brad Johnson Injury Law, we will take the steps necessary to protect your rights and your ability to recover from your injuries.
It can be an overwhelming experience to sustain critical injuries from your pedestrian accident like a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord paralysis. Your only opportunity to recover compensation for these severe injuries may be to file an injury claim with the help of our team. A pedestrian accident attorney with a broad range of knowledge and experience in this field can significantly increase the level of compensation you receive. Attorney Brad Johnson will help you build a compelling case, receiving a fair settlement that will fully cover your injuries and damages. At Brad Johnson Injury Law we:
- Have more than 30 years of personal injury experience
- Are a local law firm rather than a large, impersonal regional/national law firm
- Bring an individualized approach to every case
- Have more than 100 positive Google Reviews
- Are available 24/7
- Have core values that our clients appreciate
- Do not get paid unless we win
- Offer a 25 percent fee rather than the more typical 33.3 percent fee – learn why this is important!
- Have both English and Spanish speaking staff
At Brad Johnson Injury Law, we don’t get paid if we don’t win. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
How is Negligence Proven Following a Pedestrian Accident in Arizona?
In order to recover compensation for the injuries, you have to illustrate that the person who hit you was negligent. Dedicated pedestrian accident attorney, Brad Johnson, will assist you in doing this. Drivers have a duty of care to other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. That is, they must obey the rules of the road and watch out for others. If a driver fails to live up to that duty of care (“breaches” their duty), the driver could be found negligent. Several factors can indicate negligence, including:
- Distracted driving
- Exceeding the speed limit
- Failing to obey traffic signals
- Driving under the influence
- Not yielding the right of way
- Failing to signal a turn
Drivers must exercise even more care in terms of children, who are frequently the victims of pedestrian accidents. Children may not be aware of risks when they are playing in the street; therefore, face a higher risk of being hit by a car or truck. Children are not only unpredictable, but they are also less visible, especially at night.
If it is shown that the driver had a duty of care and that the duty of care was breached, it must then be shown that the breach of duty of care caused the accident, and the accident led to your injuries and damages. All people have a legal obligation to follow traffic laws and use common sense or to act as a reasonable person would have acted, given the same circumstances. Sometimes it is easy to determine who is liable for a pedestrian-car accident. If a speeding driver hits a pedestrian in a clearly marked crosswalk, the driver is obviously at fault. Other times, determining liability can be more difficult.
Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Generally Occur?
Pedestrian accidents can occur anywhere people and vehicles share a space. Many pedestrian accidents occur in low light or when there are other factors that limit visibility. The vast majority of fatal pedestrian accidents occur in cities due to the high concentration of pedestrians and drivers in the same areas. The slightest distraction or error in judgment can lead to serious, even catastrophic, injuries to the pedestrian.
While it is generally believed that pedestrians are hit mainly in intersections, in fact, almost three-quarters of pedestrian fatalities occur on sections of the road with no intersection—while they are walking along a road. Accidents between a vehicle and a pedestrian can occur when the pedestrian:
- Crosses in front of a driver as the driver makes a right-hand or left-hand turn
- Crosses the street in front of a driver going straight ahead
- Fails to accurately assess a situation
- Proceeds with limited visibility
Or, when the driver:
- Makes a traffic violation such as a U-turn
- Is driving while distracted
- Is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Is exceeding the speed limit
Pedestrians may walk in areas that are not specifically designated for them. These areas include highways, busy streets with narrow shoulders, and streets with no sidewalks. Because these areas are not designated for pedestrians, drivers may not expect them to be present. Even if that is the case, drivers are still responsible for driving in a way that keeps pedestrians safe.
Pedestrians are also hit in parking areas, usually when a driver is backing up, is in a hurry to park, or otherwise has limited visibility. In addition to vehicles hitting pedestrians, they can also be hit by a bicyclist, motorcyclist, scooter rider, or an individual on a skateboard or rollerblades. While these accidents are unlikely to be as devastating as those where the pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, they can nonetheless cause serious injury. Pedestrians have absolutely no protection—not even a helmet often worn by bicyclists and motorcyclists.
What Are the Most Common Injuries Following a Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrian injuries are likely to be highly severe—or catastrophic. Minor injuries may include torn ligaments, bone fractures, bruises, contusions, sprains and strains, and neck and back injuries. More serious injuries include internal organ damage, vision loss, brain concussions or traumatic brain injury, amputations, and spinal cord injuries. These serious injuries are likely to keep the victim from returning to work—either for a significant length of time or forever—and require months or years of medical interventions and rehabilitative therapies.
One of the first parts of the pedestrian’s body that contact a vehicle is the lower body. More than half of all pedestrians who are hit by a vehicle experience lower-body injuries, including pelvic fractures, broken legs and knees, and trauma to the ligaments and muscles. The neck, face, and head are also commonly impacted when a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle. Shoulder displacement, jaw fractures, skull damage, injuries to the vertebrae, neck injuries, lacerations, and concussions are common. The abdominal and chest areas are also very vulnerable when a vehicle hits a pedestrian.
Do I Really Need a Pedestrian Accident Attorney?
If you are the victim of a pedestrian accident, it is crucial to talk with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney as quickly as possible. Having the right injury lawyer in your corner is essential in helping you receive the maximum compensation that, in turn, allows you to move forward with your life. When you have your first consultation with attorney Brad Johnson, it is essential to bring all evidence you have at that point. This evidence can include your medical records, your work history and proof of lost wages, any witness statements available, and photographs taken at the accident scene.
If the police were called at the time of your accident, there will be a police report that can also help your attorney build a strong case on your behalf. If there is insufficient evidence, the legal team at Brad Johnson Injury Law will discuss other methods of gathering evidence and proving liability, including accident reconstruction.
Attorney Brad Johnson will ask you a variety of questions and comprehensively answer all your questions. The more information you can provide, the greater your chances of recovering an equitable settlement. Your pedestrian accident attorney will do the following on your behalf:
- Thoroughly investigate your pedestrian accident claim
- Gather all necessary evidence, including tracking down witnesses and obtaining statements
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Send a demand letter to the insurance company
- Prepare all pleadings that set forth the legal arguments regarding the liability of the defendant and the damages you are seeking
- Conduct discovery, including sending out interrogatories to ask for specific information and deposing parties, witnesses, and experts.
What Damages Can I Expect Following My Pedestrian Accident?
You will be entitled to medical expenses related to the accident, past, present, and future. If you were unable to return to work, you will be entitled to lost wages, and if you will not be able to return to work for a significant length of time—or forever—you will be entitled to future lost wages. You may also be entitled to receive pain and suffering damages for actual physical pain and damages for emotional trauma.
The amount of your damages will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of your injuries (“hard” injuries tend to receive larger settlements, as opposed to soft tissue injuries like whiplash). Lost wages are a part of the overall damages picture, so the amount of time you have missed work will be reimbursed. The nature and extent of your medical treatments will be factored into your final settlement. Treatments by acupuncturists and chiropractors tend to carry less weight than treatments by physicians, surgeons, and specialists.
How your injuries impact your day-to-day life will also play an important role in your ultimate settlement. While compensation for pain and suffering is more difficult to quantify, it can nonetheless add up to a large portion of your settlement. If you have long-term or permanent severe injuries, your settlement amount goes up significantly. If there is clear fault on the part of the defendant, a larger settlement is more likely. The impact your injuries will have on your future ability to earn a living is an extremely important factor—if you cannot work at the same level, in the same profession, or at all, then you must be properly compensated for lost future income.
Some insurance adjusters will take your quantifiable losses like medical expenses and lost income (special damages), multiplying that total by a number between one-and-a-half and four or five to arrive at your general damages, including pain and suffering and emotional trauma. For severe injuries that require extensive, ongoing medical treatments as well as a long recovery time, the multiplier might be a four or five.
How Can a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Help?
The legal team at Brad Johnson Injury Law knows the pain, suffering, and financial loss you experience following your pedestrian accident has the potential to change your life forever. You may no longer be able to work in your chosen profession or enjoy your day-to-day life activities as you did before the accident. We will vigilantly protect your rights from start to finish, ensuring you get the medical treatment you need and the financial compensation to get back to your life. Contact Brad Johnson Injury Law today.