York County pedestrian accident attorneys

Protecting the rights of injured pedestrians in York County

Walking is a healthy, economical, and eco-friendly way to travel, but it is not without risk. In a recent year, 6,301 pedestrian fatalities happened in the U.S., accounting for 17 percent of all traffic deaths, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). In Virginia, 55 pedestrian fatalities happened from January through June of 2020 alone. When a pedestrian accident is caused by driver negligence, the responsible party may be held responsible.

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What are common types of pedestrian accidents in York County?

Many factors can contribute to pedestrian accidents. Some of the most common causes are driver negligence and errors. Common types of pedestrian accidents in York County include:

• Distracted driving crashes
• Drug or alcohol-impaired driving accidents
• Failure to yield collisions
• Improper lane use accidents
• Fatigued driving accidents
• Right or left-turn crashes
• Backing out of parking spot or driveway accidents

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How does people texting while driving affect pedestrians?

Of all negligent driving behaviors, texting while driving is among the deadliest. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts the driver’s attention away from operating the motor vehicle. Texting is particularly dangerous because it requires visual, manual, and cognitive awareness. It takes the eyes off the road, the hands off the wheel, and the mind off driving. Nationwide, in a recent year, more than 2,800 people were killed, and an estimated 400,000 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers, according to the CDC.

Distracted drivers put pedestrians at serious risk.

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What are common injuries in pedestrian accidents?

A pedestrian is completely unprotected in a collision with a 4,000-pound passenger vehicle. This type of traffic accident can cause serious, catastrophic, or fatal injuries to pedestrians. Frequently sustained injuries in pedestrian accidents include:

• Internal organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Traumatic brain injury
• Bone fractures
• Muscle strains
• Ligament sprains
• Neck, back, and shoulder injuries
• Road rash
• Contusions and lacerations
• Emotional trauma

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What types of damages can pedestrian accident victims recover?

Victims of York County pedestrian accidents caused by someone else’s negligence are allowed to recover three types of damages under Virginia law:

• Economic damages: These are damages that typically have a set dollar value. Examples include past and future medical expenses and past and future lost income because of the accident and injuries. Economic damages are also known as special damages.
• Non-economic damages: This type of damages does not have a set value in terms of dollars and cents. Also known as general damages, non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of use of a body part or function, disfigurement, and other losses.
• Punitive damages: Also known as exemplary damages, punitive damages are only awarded when the conduct of the defendant is found to be grossly negligent or malicious. These damages are designed to punish the defendant for wrongdoing, unlike economic and non-economic damages, which are designed to make the injured party whole again.

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After a pedestrian accident, do you need a lawyer?

After a serious pedestrian accident, your best chance of recovering maximum compensation from the at-fault party is to have an experienced York County personal injury lawyer by your side. At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we consider it a calling to help injured people. Prevention, empathy, and diligence are the hallmarks of everything we do. To us, you are a neighbor, not a number.

Our partners know firsthand what it is like to be an injury victim, which is why we do everything possible to make the legal process easy for our clients. Call us at (804) 413-6777 to arrange for a free consultation with a York County pedestrian accident attorney. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us no fees until you get paid.

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