Pedestrian Accidents Attorneys in Philadelphia
Pennsylvania and New Jersey are great places to enjoy the outdoors. Thousands enjoy walking or biking to school, work, or just for fun. Unfortunately, not every driver is looking out for pedestrians.
A person walking is no match for a multi-ton vehicle in a traffic accident. Pedestrian accidents are often deadly, or they involve catastrophic injuries.
Unfortunately, collisions involving pedestrians are all too common in Philadelphia. Even worse, the statistics seem to be growing. Data from the Philadelphia Police Accident Investigation Unit’s Fatal Crashes report revealed an 88 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities in the city in the first quarter of 2020 over the same period the previous year. Nationally, 5,977 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2017.
If you suffered injuries as a pedestrian, we can help. Contact a Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyer with Gay Chacker & Ginsburg at (215) 567-7955 for a free, no-obligation consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Philadelphia. We can answer your questions about your legal rights and obtaining compensation.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Injury Accidents
Following the basic traffic laws, signals, and signs can help pedestrians try to keep themselves safe. Finding ways to be more visible to motorists is also helpful. Pedestrians are urged to walk near streetlights after dark and wear special reflective gear. Staying on sidewalks or walking toward traffic when there is no sidewalk available is also helpful. However, because some motorists disregard basic safe driving practices, pedestrians will always face risk. After any pedestrian accident, seeking the help of an attorney is advisable.
Common causes of pedestrian injury accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired or drowsy driving
- Broken or missing manhole covers
- Hazardous street or sidewalk conditions
- Driving in low visibility, such as at night or in bad weather
- Failing to yield to or watch for pedestrians in crosswalks before proceeding or turning
- Passing another vehicle stopped at a crosswalk that is waiting for pedestrians to cross
- Speeding Vehicles since higher vehicle speeds increase the likelihood of a pedestrian being struck by a car and the severity of injuries that a person suffers.
Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Answers These Common Questions:
What to Do if You’re a Pedestrian Hit by a Car?
If a motor vehicle struck you, we urge you to seek medical attention immediately. While you have likely been severely injured as a pedestrian, there is also a chance that you feel fine. The shock and adrenaline of the situation may make it seem like you have minor injuries or none at all.
No matter the collision, it’s critical to get medical help. Injuries can worsen over time. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more serious they can become. In addition, your physician’s immediate medical records are necessary if you file a claim to seek compensation for your medical bills.
After you have received all necessary immediate care, it’s helpful to speak with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Philadelphia. You’ll receive valuable advice and guidance as well as protection from the insurance companies that will likely try to minimize your recovery.
As you recover from your injuries, your attorney can work to hold the right people accountable and get the compensation you need for the burden you’ve suffered.
Can I settle my personal injury case or claim myself?
You can try to do this on your own, but you will be facing insurance companies who are experts at finding ways to pay you as little as possible, or nothing. It will not matter how strong your claim is. Because you are not a lawyer who can sue them, they will not take your letters or emails very seriously. They will prolong the process and find the right loopholes to get out of paying you the money you have a right to receive. Also, there are usually several different insurance policies to collect from—insurance companies will not tell you this.
Our Philadelphia personal injury attorneys are experienced in dealing with insurance companies. We know all of their tactics, tricks, and arguments. We will deal with those arguments by using our proven skills and experience, and get you the highest possible compensation we can, from all eligible policies.
Put our experience to work for you, and avoid making costly mistakes.
How soon after I am injured should I speak with a lawyer?
It is important to contact Gay Chacker & Ginsburg as soon as possible after an accident. There may be time limits that apply to your claim or lawsuit, and we will need to submit all necessary documents and evidence before that deadline. If you have been injured, you will be receiving medical bills while also missing work time, making timely action on our part all the more crucial. We will zealously protect your rights and interests and work to get you the best possible compensation as quickly as possible, right from the start.
Compensation for Your Losses After a Pedestrian Accident
If a motorist struck you as a pedestrian, Pennsylvania law holds that the driver is responsible for your injuries. You do not have to prove that you have a permanent injury or disability to recoup your financial losses. Compensation can cover many areas, including:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages and benefits now and in the future,
- Pain and suffering,
- Loss of participation in family life,
- End-of-life expenses (if a loved one was struck and killed), and more.
It is possible to file an insurance claim on your own. However, you will face a company that is an expert at finding ways to pay you as little as possible. The strength of your claim does not matter to the insurance company. Without a lawyer present, they will try to get out of paying you the money you have a right to receive. You could lose thousands of dollars you might have received if you had had a professional attorney guiding the process for you.
On the other hand, you have a far greater chance of receiving full and fair compensation for your losses if an attorney represents you. Our Philadelphia pedestrian attorneys are experienced in dealing with insurance companies. We can use our proven skills and experience to get you the most compensation we can from all eligible policies.
Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Advocate for Injured Pedestrians
Since we founded the firm in 1965, Gay Chacker & Ginsburg has helped many people who sustained injuries as pedestrians. Below are a few of our past cases.
One of our past clients was walking home from college and crossed the street with a green light. A bus driver made a left turn, struck her, and the bus skidded overtop of her. Our client suffered broken bones in her leg, ankle, and toes. Gay Chacker & Ginsburg obtained a $4.2 million jury verdict in this case against the bus company.
Another client was a 60-year-old woman who was hit by a car while crossing the street, not in a crosswalk. The collision injured her ankle, which required surgery. She then developed a post-surgery infection, which required additional treatment. This case settled for $250,000.
Our firm also obtained a settlement for a man who tripped on a hazardous sidewalk and fell while walking in Philadelphia. He sustained injuries to his back, wrist, hip, shoulder, and knee as well as nerve and head injuries. In addition to his physical pain, our client continues to suffer from traumatic anxiety, nervousness, and other psychological and emotional disorders. The case settled for $165,000.
While each of these cases differs, one fact remains the same. Pedestrians were hurt by someone else’s carelessness, and we prevailed in protecting their legal rights to compensation. Nothing can change what happened, but the money we obtained on our clients’ behalf covered their unexpected financial burden and more.
Contact the Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Gay Chacker & Ginsburg for Assistance
If a vehicle struck you as a pedestrian, we can help. Our Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyers reach substantial settlements as quickly as possible while treating clients with the respect they deserve. We are here to assist you and your family. The lawyers at Gay Chacker & Ginsburg are happy to speak with you and answer any questions you might have about the incident and what we can do to help. There is no obligation when you call our firm. We charge you no legal fees unless we recover financial compensation for you.
Pennsylvania law limits the time pedestrians hit by a car have to file a personal injury claim. If you miss the deadline for filing your pedestrian injury case, you could forever lose your legal right to receive compensation for your injuries. That’s why it is vital that you contact us as soon as possible.
We can work with you to recover your losses, including medical bills, any future treatment or therapy you might need, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Call us at (215) 567-7955 for a free initial consultation. We’ll show you why we are the law firm you can trust.
