Bethel Park Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

While cities across the country have taken strides to make their streets more pedestrian-friendly, the outcomes have not been what they should be. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise, and walkable cities are good for the environment and the community. Despite this, pedestrian accidents have been on the rise across the country, leaving preventable deaths and injuries in their wake.

If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident in Bethel Park, you could be entitled to compensation from the liable driver. Find out now by calling Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman at 866-565-4949.

How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

With clearly marked crosswalks, laws favoring pedestrian safety, and tons of public education efforts that drive home the need for careful driving habits, pedestrian accidents should be on the decline. However, that’s not how it has worked out. Numbers are still higher than they should be, and accidents are still usually caused by the same few mistakes:

• Failure to yield: Pedestrians have the right of way far more often than most drivers think, which causes them to go when they really should be waiting. Unfortunately, this causes thousands of accidents every year.
• Driving while distracted: Distracted driving is a problem of epidemic proportions. It’s particularly dangerous for pedestrians since distracted drivers are less likely to stop when a pedestrian crosses in front of them.
• Speeding: Speeding makes it harder for drivers to stop in time and react to unexpected people crossing the road, which increases the likelihood of a pedestrian accident.
• Poor visibility: Poor visibility is common at night, during foggy weather, and when pedestrians are wearing colors that blend into their surroundings.
• Impaired driving: Impaired drivers are less likely to make good choices, react in time to unexpected obstacles, and make safe driving choices as a whole. As a result, impaired drivers are a common factor in pedestrian collisions.
• Aggressive driving: In some cases, pedestrian accidents are caused by aggressive or road-raging drivers. Some drivers feel like they shouldn’t have to share the road with pedestrians, so they intentionally drive in a way that frightens pedestrians or puts them in danger.
• Pedestrian errors: Of course, drivers aren’t always to blame when accidents happen. Pedestrians may cross the road without looking, step out in front of a moving car without giving them enough time to stop, or intentionally play “chicken” with cars.

Pedestrian Accidents in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recently released its 2021 accident statistics. While numbers dropped quite a bit in 2020, it appears that this decrease was a product of the pandemic. In 2021, when most people were back to life as normal, pedestrian accident numbers saw a big rebound.

In 2021, pedestrians accounted for 2.6% of all traffic accidents in Pennsylvania and 14.8% of all traffic fatalities. Accidents increased to 3,100 in 2021 from 2,831. In the same time period, fatalities went from 146 to 182. Fatalities were most common amongst adults aged 35 to 39 and elderly adults, and men were over twice as likely to suffer a fatal accident than women. It comes as no surprise that over 71% of fatalities occurred during nighttime hours.

Common Injuries

Pedestrians are far more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries than occupants of passenger vehicles. Commonly reported injuries include:

• Broken bones: The force of a car is far too much for the human body to endure, which causes bone breaks to occur even at low speeds. While the extremities bear most of the burden in most crashes, pedestrians may also have broken ribs or collarbones.
• Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries are a result of the massive amount of force generated in a collision. Victims may suffer whiplash, herniated discs, and other painful injuries.
• Soft tissue injuries: Damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments can cause intense pain and limit mobility.
• Traumatic brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries are an incredibly tragic outcome of pedestrian collisions. Outcomes vary widely, depending on which part of the brain is affected, how quickly you receive medical care, and how hard the impact of the crash is.
• Internal injuries: Internal bleeding and ruptured organs may occur in severe accidents. Without treatment, these injuries can quickly become fatal.

Compensation for Accident Victims

You could be entitled to sizable compensation for everything you lost in your pedestrian accident. Settlements and court awards often include compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including bills, travel expenses, medications, and follow-up care
• Lost wages and career growth opportunities
• Pain and suffering
• Disability and disfigurement
• Property damage
• Loss of quality of life

Your ability to recover a full and fair settlement depends largely on how severe your injuries are and the skill level of your attorney.

How Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman Can Help

If you’ve been left reeling by a pedestrian accident and you’re not sure what your next step should be, it’s time to talk to the team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman. Our team has built a reputation by fighting aggressively for injured accident victims just like you.

We know the common tactics insurance companies use to deny victims the compensation they deserve. We have seen victims who have lost entire settlement offers because of preexisting injuries, an ill-advised recorded statement, or the insurance company’s claims that they were the liable party.

Our only priority with your case is your well-being and financial stability. A serious pedestrian accident in Bethel Park can leave you with massive medical debt, time away from work, and property damage. Additionally, you may be so traumatized by the accident that your mental health takes a serious hit.

All of this can be overwhelming. Don’t try to do it all by yourself—let us help you with your legal needs while you concentrate on your physical and mental health.

Reach Out Today and Let’s Start Your Claim

Whenever you are ready to start your pedestrian accident claim in Bethel Park, our team of attorneys is ready to jump in and begin working. Set up your consultation right now by calling us at 866-565-4949 or reaching out online.