More than 100 pedestrians lose their lives each year in Virginia auto accidents, and tragically, many more are injured over the course of each year.
Many of the injuries and fatalities would have been entirely preventable if drivers had just exercised reasonable care or if roads had been designed and maintained in a safer way.
When a driver, or those responsible for road design and maintenance, fall short in fulfilling their obligations to keep pedestrians safe, Virginia law says those walkers who were hurt as a result of those failures may be able to recover compensation for any financial and non-economic loss resulting from the crash.
It’s up to the victims to make a claim and prove their case, though. Monge & Associates, our Richmond personal injury lawyers can help with this process.
Our firm will fight for you in the aftermath of your pedestrian crash with the goal of resolving your case quickly and effectively for the maximum compensation possible.
To find out more about how our Richmond pedestrian accident lawyers can help, give us a call today to schedule your free consultation.
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Why Choose Monge & Associates
In the aftermath of your pedestrian accident, Monge & Associates is the best place to turn when you need legal help.
You should place your trust in our team because:
- We’ve been fighting for injured pedestrians since 1993 and know the law inside and out
- We’ve successfully helped our clients recover over a billion dollars in compensation when they were hurt while walking
- We know Virginia’s rules of the road and can build a solid case showing why the driver was to blame for your crash
- We aren’t afraid to stand up to big insurance companies and make them pay what you deserve when a driver hurts you – and we’re prepared to go to court if needed to make them pay
Understanding Pedestrian Accidents in Richmond, VA
Pedestrian accidents can happen for many reasons, including:
- Distracted drivers
- Drivers who have used drugs or alcohol
- Drivers who don’t follow the rules of the road, such as speed limits
- Drivers who don’t obey traffic signals or pedestrian walkway rules
- Drivers who run lights
- Pedestrians who step out into traffic
- Pedestrians who don’t pay attention
In many cases, drivers don’t see pedestrians because walkers tend to be smaller and more difficult to spot than bicyclists or other vehicles.
If a driver is distracted, tired, or impaired, it is much more likely that they will miss that a pedestrian is in their path than that they will miss seeing a car.
Pedestrians do sometimes have a role to play in their accidents, though, as cell phones have resulted in a rise in pedestrians stepping into traffic without paying attention. In many cases, though, it is drivers who have the power on the road and who often cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries to those who are walking on roadways.
These pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere, but some especially dangerous areas of Richmond, Virginia, where many pedestrian accidents and near-miss accidents happen, include:
- Chamberlayne Avenue
- Broad Street
- East Parham Road
- Laburnum Avenue
- Hermitage Road
- Belvidere Avenue
- Clay Street
- Commerce Road Hull Street
These are high-risk areas because there is a lot of traffic, busy intersections, and in some cases, road designs and visibility issues that affect a driver’s ability to interact safely with pedestrians.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians can suffer injuries from the vehicle’s impact, and when they hit the road after a car strikes them.
Some of the most common injuries that pedestrians experience include:
- Broken bones
- Damage to the spine or spinal cord
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
Fatal injuries are far too common, but even non-deadly accidents, such as those that cause spinal cord injury, can have lifelong consequences for affected victims.
Those who cause harm need to be held liable for the damage they’ve done, including compensating victims for all injuries.
What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Richmond
After a pedestrian accident in Richmond, you’ll want to make sure you get the medical care you need.
This is the number one priority, both to prevent injuries from becoming worse and to make sure that you document your injuries so you can prove they resulted from the crash, and the driver who hit you should be held responsible for them.
You should also make sure to collect evidence as to the cause of the crash, including photos from the scene, witness testimony, and anything else that may be useful in helping to prove how the incident occurred.
Calling the police in the accident’s aftermath can help you gather this evidence and ensure that an investigation is conducted and a police report created that you can use in your case.
Lastly, you’ll need to report the accident to your insurer and talk with the insurer of the other driver.
It is a good idea to be represented by an attorney so your attorney can represent you and advise you during these calls to ensure that you do not do anything to jeopardize your legal compensation claim.
How a Richmond Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help
A Richmond pedestrian accident lawyer at Monge & Associates can provide you with invaluable help in bringing a damage claim and pursuing justice.
Our legal team will help with:
- Investigating your case: We’ll assist in subpoenaing records and security camera footage, interviewing experts, gathering evidence from police, and more.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: The at-fault driver’s insurer should cover your losses. We have a long history of negotiating successful settlements with insurance companies because insurers know we fight hard for our clients’ rights, and we know how to work within the legal system to get full compensation.
- Representing you in court: When you can’t settle your case, we’ll help you present a compelling claim to maximize your chances of a win in trial.
Compensation Available After a Pedestrian Accident
You have the right to recover compensation for all accident losses that another driver was responsible for.
The types of car accident compensation you are entitled to can be broadly divided into two categories.
This includes:
- Economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages
- Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, and emotional distress
Wrongful death claims are also possible after a pedestrian accident results in a death.
Surviving loved ones can pursue compensation for losses the victim incurred before death, such as medical care costs and pain and suffering, as well as for their own losses, including loss of the wages the deceased would have earned and loss of the companionship of the deceased.
Contact a Richmond Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Monge & Associates is here for you after your pedestrian accident. Reach out today to talk with a Richmond pedestrian accident lawyer who has decades of legal experience to put to work on your case.