Pursuing Compensation for My Colorado Pedestrian Accident Injuries

 Posted on December 18, 2020 in Personal Injury

Drivers and vehicle occupants are not the only people susceptible to car accident injuries. Pedestrians are also often at risk, especially in urban areas, and when they are struck by a car, the injuries can be severe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported nearly 6,000 pedestrian fatalities in 2017, with 92 of them in Colorado, and numbers have been similar in more recent years. If you or a family member has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you have options for pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver.

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?

Accidents between vehicles and pedestrians are often caused by many of the same negligent behaviors that contribute to other car accidents. These actions may include but are not limited to:

• Speeding: Driving at unsafe speeds poses a major risk to pedestrians, especially in school zones, construction zones with workers present, and other areas with high pedestrian traffic.

• Failing to follow traffic laws: This includes failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian at an intersection or crosswalk or making an illegal turn.

• Distracted driving: Cell phone use and other distractions can prevent a driver from noticing a pedestrian until it is too late to avoid an accident.

• Drunk driving: Alcohol intoxication can also impair a driver’s abilities and prevent him or her from reacting appropriately to avoid a collision with a pedestrian.

Low visibility is also a common contributing factor, as pedestrians are often harder to detect than other vehicles. Some pedestrian behaviors, like alcohol consumption, distracted walking, and crossing the street without a crosswalk, may also contribute to a crash.

Personal Injury Claims for Pedestrian Accidents

One thing you can do to increase your chances of recovering compensation in the event of an accident is to ensure that whenever you are a pedestrian, you take all reasonable safety precautions to prevent an accident. This includes using crosswalks correctly, wearing bright clothing and reflective materials, and avoiding walking near a roadway when you are intoxicated or distracted by your cell phone. By ensuring that you are acting safely, you can better avoid claims of contributory negligence that could reduce the amount of compensation available.

After you are injured in a pedestrian accident, the best way to recover compensation is to have strong evidence of the driver’s negligence. Your attorney can help you collect and preserve evidence from the scene of the accident, as well as statements from witnesses who can speak to the driver’s behavior. In the case of a hit-and-run accident, which is unfortunately common when pedestrians are involved, your attorney may be able to help you identify the driver, or pursue alternative options like an uninsured motorist claim.

Contact a Ft. Collins Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If you are struggling with injuries from a pedestrian accident, you may require long-term care and treatment. The skilled legal team at Hoggatt Injury Law can help you pursue a claim to get the compensation you need and deserve. Call our experienced Larimer County personal injury lawyer today at 970-225-2190 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.codot.gov/programs/bikeped/information-for-pedestrians

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812681