Pedestrians are vulnerable road users. They travel the roads with no protection and, if involved in an accident, are likely to sustain serious injuries.
Injured pedestrians typically need significant compensation to cover the damages suffered in an accident, and a Roanoke personal injury lawyer from MartinWren, P.C. will work to secure that compensation.
Though injury victims expect to work with an attorney when pursuing a claim, that expectation is not always met. Our top-notch staff and paralegals provide essential, professional assistance when you enter a partnership with Martin Wren, P.C. An experienced Roanoke pedestrian accident lawyer will handle your case from start to finish.
Pedestrian Accidents by the Numbers
Unfortunately, the roads are not particularly safe for pedestrians. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) states that in a recent year, traffic-related pedestrian deaths reached a four-decade high of over 7,500. According to the National Safety Commission (NSC), there were 9,188 pedestrian deaths that year, when including non-traffic deaths, those occurring in driveways, parking lots, or other private properties.
Data reported by the NSC shows pedestrian deaths on public roads occurred:
- Most often in urban environments–84%
- More commonly on open roads versus intersections–76% to 24%
- More frequently in dark conditions, whether or not there was artificial lighting–74%
Statistics compiled by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a recent year show:
- Pedestrian crashes numbered 1,476, representing 1.2% of all traffic accidents
- 168 fatal pedestrian accidents caused 171 pedestrian fatalities, a number representing 17% of all traffic deaths
- 1,308 injury-causing accidents left 1,390 pedestrians injured, a number representing 2.3% of traffic-crash injuries, and 450 seriously injured pedestrians, a number representing 6.3% of all traffic-crash-related serious injuries
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call 434-817-3100
Important Post-Accident Steps
Experiencing a pedestrian accident is traumatizing both in real-time and in the accident’s aftermath, but knowing what to do after a personal injury accident can help your case and your overall well-being.
Your injuries may be severe, in which case you should stay still and wait for emergency help to arrive. If you are able to move without hurting yourself further, you can take measures to help your situation.
Preserve Evidence
Take photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Include photos of the vehicles involved–their positions and license plate numbers–and of the driver’s license, registration, and insurance card of the party who hit you. Capture the entire accident environment, noting locations of security or traffic cameras, as your attorney can request access to that footage.
If there are witnesses, ask for their contact details. And ask if they can text you their immediate recollection of what happened. Document your own recollection as well, as memories tend to fade quickly.
Limit Your Words
Do not discuss the accident with the other parties involved. Limit your conversation to getting contact and driving and insurance information. Do not say anything that could be interpreted or even twisted into an admission of fault–for example, saying, “I didn’t see you coming” could be used to imply you were not paying attention to your surroundings.
Do not discuss or minimize your injuries at the scene or if the at-fault party’s insurance company reaches out to you. Say you will be seeking medical attention, and leave your comments there. It is in your best interests to leave those discussions to your pedestrian accident lawyer in Roanoke.
Call Authorities
Drivers involved in accidents must stop if someone is injured or when there is certain property damage, as explained in the Code of Virginia, Chapter 11, and these accidents must be reported to law enforcement. Pedestrians rarely escape accidents unharmed, so even if you think your injuries are not serious, call the police to the scene. Having an official report will help your case.
See a Doctor
If you are not taken from the scene by an ambulance, you still need to get fast medical care. Some injuries take time to show and can cause more severe debilitation or even death if not treated promptly. Protect your health and safety with a fast diagnosis and treatment.
Delaying medical care also gives the at-fault party a chance to lay blame at your feet. They can claim your injuries result from your choice to postpone treatment. They can also accuse you of inflating the damage, arguing your injuries could not have been as severe as you say if you did not seek immediate attention.
Connect With an Attorney
For most claims, Virginia has a two-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims as established in section 8.01-243 of the Commonwealth’s code. Some claims may have longer periods, such as when a minor under the age of 18 is injured. Filing within this deadline allows victims to sue the at-fault party for damages in court.
In addition to statutes of limitations, some claims also have notice periods that require you to provide a very specific notice in a short period of time or else your right to recovery is barred.
Because figuring out the exact statute of limitations or notice period can be a complicated legal question, connecting with a Roanoke pedestrian accident attorney right away ensures there is time to investigate the accident and file against the appropriate party within the legal deadlines.
An Attorney Provides Critical Help
There are a variety of reasons why you should retain a personal injury lawyer following a pedestrian accident. Your Roanoke pedestrian accident attorney knows the kinds of evidence needed to prove negligence and has the experience and resources required to secure that evidence. Your attorney will also take care of the legal aspects of filing with the court.
The seasoned team at MartinWren, P.C. knows how to navigate Virginia’s personal injury laws and procedures. Partnering with an attorney from our team means you have representation from someone skilled in dealing with contributory negligence–the system governing Virginia’s personal injury claims.
This system is not especially friendly to victims, yet our team has still secured substantial verdicts and settlements for our deserving clients.
Contributory negligence prevents victims from pursuing compensation if they hold even a small amount of fault for the accident. Your pedestrian accident attorney in Roanoke will fight to protect you from unwarranted assignments of blame and present evidence to prove the at-fault party’s negligence.
We will work to get you maximum compensation for your:
- Economic damages: medical costs, income loss, property damage, and any other financial cost associated with the accident
- Non-economic damages: emotional trauma, losses to quality of life, physical pain, disfigurement, or other intangible loss caused by the accident
Roanoke Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me 434-817-3100
Compassionate, Professional, and Aggressive
MartinWren’s compassionate team will treat you with respect and professionalism. We understand the pain and distress that follow an accident. At the same time, we will fight aggressively to hold the at-fault party accountable for the damage they have caused.
Our goal is to get you the financial justice you need to restore stability and hope to your life.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
