Penn Hills Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

A casual walk, a trip to the store, or a family walk to the park can turn dangerous in seconds when you’re sharing the road with a reckless or negligent driver. While pedestrians have substantial rights to the sidewalks and roads, drivers often put pedestrians at unnecessary risk.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident in the Penn Hills area, you could be entitled to compensation. But it won’t come easy—the driver’s insurance company will fight hard to prevent you from getting what you’re owed. We’re here to help. Call Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman at 866-565-4949 to set up a consultation now.

How Pedestrian Accidents Happen

Pedestrian accidents are usually the fault of either the driver or the pedestrian in question. If pedestrians pop out from between parked cars and begin crossing in front of a car, they may be liable for any accident that follows. On the other hand, if a driver ignores a pedestrian in a crosswalk, they are likely liable for any subsequent accidents.

Intersections are a common location for pedestrian collisions. While pedestrians generally have the right of way at intersections, drivers aren’t always accustomed to looking out for people on foot. This is especially true in cities where you need a car to get around, as drivers may rarely encounter pedestrians. When they do, they may fail to give them the proper space and time to cross.

Even if drivers are aware of pedestrians’ rights, that doesn’t mean they always drive safely. Imagine a driver turning right at a red light. They pull up and check to the left for cars driving straight and see no other cars, so they begin their turn. They fail to check to the right for pedestrians who have the right of way. In doing so, they strike a pedestrian and seriously injure them.

Parking lots in Penn Hills are another common location for pedestrian accidents. There are people everywhere, either walking to local businesses or back to their cars. If a driver is not paying attention when they back up, they could easily strike a pedestrian.

Why Are Penn Hills Pedestrian Accidents So Dangerous?

Any type of car accident can cause severe or fatal injuries, so why are pedestrian collisions so incredibly dangerous? Pedestrians do not have any of the protections that vehicle occupants enjoy. Even if they are hit at a low speed, their body takes the full force of that crash. A force that would cause mild injuries in a two-car crash could cause severe injuries in a pedestrian accident.

Another issue with pedestrian collisions is that drivers often do not take them as seriously as they take other types of accidents. If a driver speeds away from a pedestrian accident, how likely is it that the injured pedestrian will be able to get a picture of their license plate or write it down? A frightening number of drivers take this approach to pedestrian accidents, so quite a few pedestrian accidents are hit-and-runs.

In some cases, drivers don’t even know that they hit a pedestrian. Distracted driving is a massive problem in the United States, with more and more drivers using their phones behind the wheel every single year.

Many drivers have struck pedestrians while looking at their phones, only to look up after they feel the thump on their vehicle. If they don’t see the pedestrian, they may assume they struck a small animal or bird and drive off. This makes it even harder for injured pedestrians to fight for fair compensation, as it’s incredibly difficult for them to identify a vehicle before it flees.

Relevant Pennsylvania Laws

As a pedestrian in Penn Hills, you should know the laws that govern your use of the road and sidewalk. This can protect you from certain types of accidents. At crosswalks and intersections without traffic signals, pedestrians always have the right of way. In cities, pedestrians can only cross the street at a crosswalk—they cannot enter the roadway at an unmarked location.

Whenever sidewalks are available, pedestrians must use those. Walking on the road when a sidewalk is available is illegal. If a pedestrian must walk on the road, they must stay as far to the edge of the road as possible and yield to drivers.

Jaywalking is illegal unless a police officer or other traffic control professional gives you the go-ahead to cross.

How the Team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman Can Help You

At Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman, we fight for the rights of accident victims like you. Pedestrians should enjoy the right to walk safely and without the constant fear of being hit, but drivers make Penn Hills an unsafe place for pedestrians.

Even if you’re able to track down the driver who hit you, getting the compensation you deserve may be an uphill battle. Be prepared for their insurance adjuster to insinuate that you caused the accident and that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim. By chipping away at your claim, they drive down the amount they are willing to offer you.

We know that you deserve better. When you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, you deserve the chance to seek compensation from the person who did cause you harm. Through a thorough investigation of your accident, an analysis of the evidence, and an in-depth look at your injuries, we’ll figure out who caused the accident and who should pay for your injuries. We will then go up against the insurance company on your behalf.

Through tough negotiations, we will demand the fair compensation you are owed and present evidence that forces them to take your claim seriously. Although most claims never reach the courtroom, we are prepared to fight for you there if the insurance company will not negotiate in good faith.

Contact Our Team Today

Let us help you through this challenging time. While you focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back to normal, we’ll concentrate on your personal injury claim. Schedule your consultation right away by calling us at 866-565-4949 or sending us a quick message online.