Essex County pedestrian accident attorneys

Effective advocates for injured pedestrians

Pedestrians are vulnerable to serious injuries in a collision with a 4,000-pound motor vehicle. Traffic laws exist for the safety of motorists and pedestrians alike. When a pedestrian has the right-of-way and a driver ignores the rules and hits the pedestrian, that driver can be held liable for the injuries sustained.

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How common are pedestrian accidents?

• Nearly 16 percent of traffic fatalities statewide in a recent year were pedestrians, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• The 21 to 30 age group has the highest number of pedestrian-involved crashes in Virginia, followed by the 41 through 55 age group.
• Most pedestrian accident deaths occur on urban roadways, at night, in non-intersections.
• Nationwide, more than 6,000 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in a recent year – one every 85 minutes -- according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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How do pedestrian accidents happen in Essex County?

Many pedestrians are hit while walking in a roadway or crossing the road where no intersection or crosswalk exists. Pedestrians in Essex County have the right-of-way in certain traffic situations, such as crossing in a crosswalk while facing a green traffic signal. But drivers may not be paying attention. They may not see a pedestrian in the intersection, or they may ignore traffic signals and speed through a red light.

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How can you stay safer as a pedestrian?

These tips can help you stay safer on foot:

1. Walk against traffic if you must walk in the road (for example, when there is no sidewalk).
2. Put away headphones and electronic devices, so you can remain alert to your surroundings.
3. Use crosswalks if you must cross the road and keep to the right in the crosswalk.
4. Cross at an intersection, if possible, when no crosswalk exists.
5. Remember pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks, but otherwise, vehicles have the right-of-way.
6. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street to see if they are paying attention.

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How can pedestrian accident victims get compensation for their injuries?

Drivers in Virginia have a duty of care to others on the roadways, including pedestrians. When they drive impaired or distracted or fail to yield the right-of-way and obey traffic signs and signals, they can be held liable for the injuries they cause. If you have been injured as a pedestrian by a negligent driver, your best chance of recovering full compensation is to have a Essex County personal injury attorney handle your claim.

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What types of compensation can pedestrian accident victims recover?

Generally, accident victims can recover three types of damages (costs) under Virginia law:

• Special (economic) damages: Special damages have a dollar value attached. They may include past and future medical expenses, past and future lost income, medical or other equipment needed to cope with long-term injuries, and funeral or burial expenses.
• General (non-economic) damages: These are damages that do not have a fixed price tag. They may be awarded in cases of long-term injuries or loss of a loved one. Examples of general damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, inconvenience, mental anguish, and loss of companionship.
• Punitive damages: This type of compensation is only awarded when the behavior of the at-fault party was grossly negligent or malicious. Punitive damages are designed as punishment for a party’s actions. For example, if the at fault driver has a blood alcohol content of .15% or higher, under Virginia Code Sec 8.01-44.5, he may have to pay punitive damages.

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Big city experience with small town personal care

Our partners at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys have worked for large insurance companies in big cities, and as trial lawyers. Now, we are proud to serve our neighbors in Virginia with our experience and expertise. If you or your loved one has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, call our Essex County car accident lawyers at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777 to schedule a free consultation. It costs you nothing for our firm to represent you. We only get paid when you do.

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