Pedestrian accidents often leave injury victims facing overwhelming medical expenses, extended time away from work, and the need for long-term care. If you were hit by a motor vehicle while walking, jogging or riding a bike, the attorneys at the Bershtein Law Center are here to fight for the financial security you need to recover.
Each year in Connecticut, thousands of innocent victims are injured or killed as they attempt to do something as simple as cross the street. Over 4,000 crashes involving pedestrians occurred on Connecticut roadways from 2015 to 2017. This resulted in over 160 pedestrian deaths and more than 3,900 pedestrian injuries, 698 of which were serious.
A serious injury is defined as any injury other than fatal that results in a severe laceration, broken bones, crushing injuries, significant burns, unconsciousness or paralysis. The victims of such accidents include people of all ages, but a large number of fatalities included here are elderly people and children. Pedestrians are so vulnerable and exposed when crossing a street that an impact from even a slow-moving vehicle can easily cause injury or death. Injuries sustained in these accidents are all too often severe or life-threatening, and the damage to life and life can be catastrophic in many cases.
Pedestrian accidents – involving anyone walking, running, riding a bike or using a wheelchair – are on the rise. Pedestrian deaths have increased in the state and nation, an upward trend that a new report attributes in part to distracted driving and the prevalence of heavier, more lethal vehicles on the roadways. The Governors Highway Safety Association projected that the pedestrian death toll for all of 2019 was 6,590, the highest in more than 30 years. Pedestrian fatalities totaled 6,283 in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration. If you compare fatalities between those on the street versus those in a vehicle, pedestrians are 1.5 times as likely to be killed during a car crash.
What To Do When A Pedestrian Accident Occurs:
What happens when you’re involved in a pedestrian accident? Be sure you:
If you haven’t made headway in your claim, it’s time to get our personal injury lawyers involved. Being hit by a car is a life-changing experience that could result in long-term disability, expensive medical treatments and time off from work, if not reduced future employment options. As you try to recover, the driver’s insurance company may push back, claiming the accident is fully your fault. That’s where the Bershtein Law Center comes in. We’ve protected the rights of Connecticut citizens for more than 50 years and we’ll make sure you receive the compensation that you deserve.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents:
Many pedestrian accidents can be traced back to duty of care – the degree of watchfulness and responsibility motorists and pedestrians have to each other, including following the rules of the road. Yet, several instances breach this duty:
If the pedestrian had been behaving recklessly, a court may determine he or she is partially at fault for:
In these instances, both parties may have acted negligently and may share some amount of fault. In a fairly common scenario, the pedestrian starts to cross the street illegally and the driver is going far above the speed limit, unable to stop in time. Let the Bershtein Law Center fight for your rights and prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of you. Call us toll free today at (203) 624-5103.
