The Pedestrian Safety Crisis in America
Pedestrian fatalities reached their highest level in 40 years in 2022, with 7,522 deaths. The rise of distracted driving, larger vehicles (SUVs and trucks with higher front profiles), and increasing urbanization have created a perfect storm for pedestrian danger. Pedestrians hit by vehicles suffer catastrophic injuries — they have no metal frame protecting them.
Pedestrian Accident Injuries — Severe and Life-Altering
Driver's Duty of Care to Pedestrians
Drivers owe pedestrians a heightened duty of care because pedestrians are so vulnerable. This includes:
- ✓Yielding the right of way at crosswalks and intersections
- ✓Exercising extreme caution in areas with high pedestrian traffic
- ✓Reducing speed in school zones, residential areas, and parking lots
- ✓Never driving while distracted (phone, food, etc.) near pedestrians
- ✓Maintaining proper lookout — not just straight ahead but to the sides
Struck as a Pedestrian? You Deserve Maximum Compensation.
Free pedestrian accident case evaluation — our attorneys fight for every dollar.
Free Evaluation →Frequently Asked Questions
Does jaywalking affect my pedestrian accident compensation?
Jaywalking may reduce your compensation under comparative negligence but rarely eliminates it — drivers still have a duty to avoid striking pedestrians. Even if you're found 30% at fault for jaywalking, you can still recover 70% of your damages. In practice, our attorneys argue that drivers who struck you had sufficient time and space to avoid you regardless of your crossing location.
Can I recover compensation if I was hit by a car in a parking lot?
Yes. Parking lots are private property but drivers still owe pedestrians a duty of care. The driver's liability insurance applies to parking lot accidents. Additionally, if the parking lot's design or lighting contributed to the accident, the property owner may also be liable.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
Hit and run pedestrian accidents are devastating but not hopeless. Your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage protects you when the at-fault driver can't be identified. We also work with law enforcement, review surveillance footage, and canvass for witnesses to identify hit-and-run drivers — and we've succeeded in many cases.
Can I sue the city for an unsafe crosswalk that contributed to my accident?
Yes. Municipalities have a duty to maintain safe crosswalks, traffic signals, and sidewalks. If inadequate lighting, a broken crosswalk signal, poor signage, or dangerous road design contributed to your accident, the city or county may be liable. Government claims have very short notice deadlines — often 90 days — so contact us immediately.
