Gloucester County pedestrian accident attorneys

Advocating for injured pedestrians in Gloucester County

Nearly 16 percent of traffic fatalities statewide in a recent year were pedestrians, as reported by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Pedestrians are vulnerable to serious injuries in a collision with a 4,000 lb. passenger vehicle. Unlike motor vehicle occupants, they have no protection from the impact of a crash. When struck by a vehicle, pedestrians sustain injuries from the vehicle impact and from contact with the roadway.

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How are pedestrians injured in traffic crashes?

Pedestrians may be hit by a motor vehicle and killed or injured in different locations, during various activities, including:

• Crossing at intersections (with or without a signal)
• Crossing at locations other than an intersection
• Walking in a roadway (with or against traffic)
• Standing in a road
• Working in a road
• Walking or standing somewhere other than a roadway

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What are the common causes of pedestrian accidents?

Many pedestrian accidents result from driver negligence. Common causes of this type of crash include:

• Distracted driving: Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, conversing with passengers, or otherwise distracted may not notice pedestrians in a crosswalk, driveway, or parking lot.
• Impaired driving: Both alcohol and drugs significantly impair driving ability. Alcohol, marijuana, and other substances slow reaction time, coordination, and judgement, as stated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Methamphetamine and cocaine make drivers more aggressive and reckless. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and other side effects.
• Fatigued driving: Drowsy driving kills, as stated by NHTSA. In a recent year in the U.S., an estimated 91,000 traffic crashes that injured approximately 50,000 people and caused nearly 800 deaths involved drowsy drivers.
• Aggressive driving: Pedestrians have a greater risk of injury with aggressive drivers on the road. Excessive speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights and stop signs, and failing to yield the right-of-way are aggressive driving behaviors that can lead to serious pedestrian accidents.

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What types of injuries do pedestrians sustain?

People on foot can be seriously hurt when they are struck by a motor vehicle. Common pedestrian accident injuries include:

• Bone fractures
• Internal organ damage
• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Neck and back injuries
• Strains and sprains
• Lacerations and contusions

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How do you recover compensation for a pedestrian accident?

If you were hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian, it should be a simple matter of filing a claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company and collecting the compensation you are entitled to receive. In practice, it is not usually that simple. Insurance companies are in business for profit, and their goal is to minimize their payouts. They may offer a lump sum to settle quickly that falls far below the amount of your actual damages. Your best chance of recovering full compensation is to have experienced Gloucester County personal injury attorneys handling your case. In representing the injured in a pedestrian accident case, our lawyers can:

• Investigate the accident and secure evidence to support a claim
• Assess the full extent of the damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of future earning potential, and physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Negotiate skillfully with insurance companies to achieve full and fair settlement
• Pursue your claim to the fullest extent of the law

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Why choose GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys?

Our partners, Ken Gibson and John Singleton, know firsthand what it is like to be an injury victim. We bring compassion and empathy to every client we serve. We do everything possible to make the legal process easy for you, so you can focus on your recovery and getting your life back. You pay us no fees until we recover compensation for you. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver, call GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys at (804) 413-6777 today.

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