All drivers in Pennsylvania are required to practice safe driving to prevent harm to other motorists, bikers, and pedestrians. Should a driver violate this duty of care, and strike a person traveling by foot, the person walking could suffer grave injuries.
If you or a family member was recently hit by a vehicle while you were walking, you are likely suffering significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Fortunately, a Blair County pedestrian accident lawyer could help. An experienced personal injury attorney could review your case and advise you on what steps to take to reach a favorable resolution.
Cars can strike pedestrians if drivers are not vigilant or aware of their surroundings. Some of the more common causes of pedestrian accidents in Blair County include:
When drivers look away from the road to look at a text, eat food, or turn up the volume on their radio, they may not see a person walk into the road.
When cars are going too fast, their drivers may be unable to stop in time to avoid hitting a pedestrian. High speed collisions also result in more severe harm and can even be fatal.
Not only is it illegal, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol could impair a motorist’s ability to prevent a collision with someone walking. Even prescription medications could cause a driver to become impaired.
Drivers sometimes fail to yield to pedestrians crossing the road at a crosswalk. This is often seen when drivers make a left turn at an intersection and fail to see someone crossing the street. Accidents also occur when a driver does not check for pedestrians when backing out of a parking space in a parking lot or when pulling out of their driveway.
In addition, drivers need to be especially vigilant in areas where there are many children present, such as in school zones and near playgrounds.
Local attorneys in Blair County working with an injured pedestrian could review all the evidence from the accident scene to see if the driver could be liable. This could include reviewing the police report, inspecting the accident scene, collecting and examining photos, inspecting the driver’s car, interviewing witnesses, investigating the driver’s cellphone records, and examining the driver’s blood alcohol level tests if necessary.
Unlike a car, which has safety equipment such as seatbelts and airbags, the human body offers no protection from the force of an oncoming vehicle. Therefore, pedestrians often sustain catastrophic injuries when struck by a car. Some of the more frequent injuries that people suffer include:
Some of the harm that pedestrians suffer are not apparent immediately after an accident. Experienced legal professionals could help an injured pedestrian seek compensation for past, current, and future losses resulting from the collision. In the unfortunate event that a pedestrian dies due to injuries, a trustworthy lawyer in Blair County could help the surviving family members pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver of the vehicle.
If a car struck you while you were walking, you might be facing a lengthy and challenging recovery period. It is essential to have a dedicated and compassionate local attorney who could skillfully help you fight to recover damages for the physical, emotional, and financial harms you have suffered. Reach out to a Blair County pedestrian accident lawyer at Marcus & Mack today to see if filing a personal injury suit is a good option for you and your family.
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