Even if you’re not an avid walker, you’re almost certainly a pedestrian at some point in your day. Being on foot makes you vulnerable to the negligence of the motorists around you. If you’ve been injured by a careless driver, recovering all your physical, financial, and emotional losses is key. Our experienced Lewisburg pedestrian accident attorney can help you with that.
When You’re on Foot
Pedestrians in Pennsylvania are afforded considerable rights, which are designed to help mitigate the risk involved. Whenever you cross the street in a marked crosswalk, you have the right of way, but you should only enter crosswalks when it’s safe to do so. This means that if traffic is approaching the crosswalk at a quick clip, it’s always in your best interest to let it pass before you cross.
You have the same right-of-way in unmarked intersections in Pennsylvania, but you should never step out before ensuring that it’s safe to do so. When you choose to cross anywhere other than an intersection or marked crosswalk, you cede the right-of-way to oncoming motorists. And this requires implementing the utmost care.
The Elements of Your Claim
To bring a successful pedestrian accident claim in Pennsylvania, each of the following elements must apply:
- The other party owed you a duty of care, which applies to every driver on the road, including pedestrians.
- If the other party must have breached the duty of care you were owed, such as if they were distracted, impaired, speeding, or drowsy.
- The other party’s negligence was the direct cause of the pedestrian accident that left you injured.
- You suffered legal damages as a result.
Your Legal Damages
Legal damages refer to the losses you suffer due to the other party’s negligence. The law addresses these, and they break down into the following basic categories:
- Medical bills, including those for related medical care you’ll need in the future
- Lost income, which may include lost earning power
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering, which can be immense in the aftermath of a terrifying pedestrian accident
Protecting Your Health and Your Claim
While your pedestrian accident claim will be unique to the specific circumstances involved, several steps are universally recommended when it comes to protecting both your health and your claim, including:
- Seek immediate medical care as needed and follow your medical team’s advice and instructions carefully
- Retain the skilled legal guidance of a dedicated pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible and allow them to work with the insurance company on your behalf
- Stay off social media while your claim is pending
Consult with an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Lewisburg, PA Today
Our pedestrian accident attorneys at Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe have a proven track record of guiding challenging claims like yours toward favorable resolutions, and we’re here to support you. Discover how we can assist you by contacting us online or by phone today.