One of the most serious types of vehicle accidents that occur are those that involve pedestrians. Although all North Carolina car accidents can result in serious injury or death, pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to severe injury because there is nothing to protect them from the impact of a moving vehicle. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we have been helping pedestrian accident victims and their families for decades. We work diligently to obtain the financial compensation that victims deserve for the losses their personal injuries have caused.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Although there are many different factors that can cause pedestrian accidents, the following are the most common that North Carolina injury attorneys handle:
- The vehicle driver was engaging in distracted driving behaviors.
- The driver was speeding.
- The driver failed to yield to pedestrians crossing at a crosswalk.
- The driver disobeyed or ignored traffic signals or signs.
- The driver failed to use a signal when making a turn.
- The driver was driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- The driver failed to operate the vehicle around road or weather conditions.
Risk to Children
National statistics show that children are especially vulnerable to becoming pedestrian accident victims. In fact, pedestrian accidents are one of the leading causes of death for children. The most at risk are children between the ages of 5 and 9. Vehicle drivers who are traveling through areas where there are schools, parks, or residential neighborhoods owe a higher duty of care to watch for children. Child pedestrian injuries occur primarily in residential areas, often on the same street or in close proximity to the child’s home, and 90 percent of injured child pedestrians are unaccompanied by an adult at the time of the injury.
Pursuing Damages for Accident Injuries
If a victim is injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver, that driver has a right under the law to pursue financial compensation against the at-fault driver for the losses they have suffered.
Some of the more frequent pedestrian accident victims include brain injuries, fractured bones, and spinal cord injuries. These injuries often require a long recovery and rehabilitation and far too often leave victims with permanent disabilities. This can lead to high medical expenses, lost income, and long-term disability care. These losses also affect the families of victims.
Victims who have a seasoned North Carolina pedestrian accident attorney advocating for them have a stronger chance of obtaining all of the financial compensation they are entitled to for all of the losses their injuries have caused. An attorney can help obtain compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, medication, and medical equipment
- Lost wages, including loss of future income if the victim is unable to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Loss of companionship
Have You Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to pursue compensation that will address your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
The North Carolina pedestrian accident attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have been advocating for victims and their families for more than 35 years, using all available resources to successfully obtain the best possible outcome under the circumstances of the case. Our attorneys have built solid reputations as skilled negotiators who will not hesitate to pursue litigation if the insurance company fails to negotiate in good faith. Call our office today for a free case evaluation and to find out how our legal team can help get you the financial compensation you deserve.
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