Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer – Expert Legal Representation for Pedestrian Injuries

When a pedestrian is injured in an accident on the bustling streets of Philadelphia, the consequences can be devastating. As an experienced Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyer, we understand the complex challenges that pedestrian accident victims face when seeking justice and compensation for their injuries. Our law firm is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal representation for those who have been struck by a car or involved in other pedestrian accidents throughout Philadelphia.

Why You Need a Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Pedestrian accidents in Philadelphia occur far too frequently, often resulting in serious injury or death. When you’re hit by a car as a pedestrian, you’re facing not only physical injuries but also mounting medical bills, lost wages, and the stress of dealing with insurance companies. A skilled pedestrian accident lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Our Philadelphia pedestrian accident attorney has extensive experience handling various types of personal injury cases, with a particular focus on pedestrian accidents. We understand the unique aspects of Pennsylvania law that apply to these cases and know how to build a strong legal strategy on your behalf.

Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents We Handle

Crosswalk Accidents

Many pedestrian accidents occur at crosswalks, where pedestrians rightfully expect to have the right-of-way. Despite pedestrian crossing signals and traffic laws designed to protect pedestrians, negligent drivers often fail to notice a pedestrian or disregard traffic signals, resulting in devastating accidents.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Unfortunately, some pedestrian accidents involve drivers who flee the scene of the accident. A hit-and-run accident can leave pedestrian accident victims feeling helpless, but our accident lawyer can help investigate these cases and explore all available avenues for compensation.

Intersection Accidents

Busy Philadelphia intersections pose significant risks for pedestrians. Whether due to distracted driving, failure to yield, or other forms of negligence, these accidents often result in serious pedestrian injuries that require immediate medical attention and long-term care.

Parking Lot Incidents

Pedestrian accidents don’t only occur on busy streets. Shopping center parking lots, residential areas, and other locations where pedestrians and vehicles share space can be dangerous. Our personal injury attorney has handled numerous cases involving pedestrians injured in these settings.

Understanding Liability in Pedestrian Accidents

Determining fault for the accident is crucial in any pedestrian accident case. In Pennsylvania, the concept of comparative negligence applies, meaning that both the driver and the pedestrian may share responsibility for the accident. However, this doesn’t prevent you from recovering compensation if you were partially at fault.

Our experienced personal injury attorney thoroughly investigates each pedestrian accident in Pennsylvania to determine all responsible parties. This may include:

• The driver who struck the pedestrian
• Vehicle manufacturers (in cases of mechanical failure)
• Government entities responsible for road maintenance
• Property owners (in parking lot accidents)

Fault in a pedestrian accident case requires careful analysis of traffic laws, witness statements, accident reconstruction, and other evidence. Our pedestrian accident lawyer can help gather this evidence and build a compelling case on your behalf.

The Legal Process Following a Pedestrian Accident

Immediate Steps After an Accident

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, your first priority should be seeking medical attention. However, if you’re able, documenting the scene of the accident can be valuable for your case. This includes taking photos, gathering witness information, and obtaining a copy of the police report.

Investigation and Case Building

Our law office conducts thorough investigations into every pedestrian accident case we handle. This includes reviewing medical records, consulting with accident reconstruction experts, and gathering evidence to establish fault for the pedestrian accident.

Negotiation and Litigation

Many personal injury cases are resolved through negotiations with insurance companies. However, our personal injury law firm is prepared to file a personal injury lawsuit if necessary to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Compensation Available in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Pedestrian accident victims may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Property damage
• Rehabilitation costs

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

Punitive Damages

In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, such as drunk driving or hit-and-run accidents, punitive damages may be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.

Pennsylvania Personal Injury Law and Time Limits

Understanding the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is crucial for protecting your rights. In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and waiting too long can result in losing your right to compensation entirely.

The limitations for personal injury cases underscore the importance of contacting a Philadelphia personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Early legal intervention allows us to preserve evidence, interview witnesses while memories are fresh, and begin building your case immediately.

Why Choose Our Philadelphia Personal Injury Law Firm

Personalized Attention

At Pearce Law Firm, we believe that personal attention and individualized representation are essential to achieving the best outcomes for our clients. Edith Pearce is personally involved in every case, ensuring that you receive the dedicated legal representation you deserve.

Proven Experience

Our founder of the Pearce law firm, accident lawyer Edith Pearce uses her extensive experience in personal injury litigation to advocate for accident victims throughout Philadelphia. Lawyer Edith Pearce uses her expert knowledge of Pennsylvania personal injury law to navigate complex legal issues and secure maximum compensation for her clients.

No Fee Unless We Win

We understand that injury victims shouldn’t have to worry about legal fees while recovering from their injuries. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for your case.

Common Challenges in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Insurance Company Tactics

Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by arguing that the pedestrian was at fault or that their injuries aren’t as serious as claimed. Our injury attorneys have extensive experience dealing with these tactics and know how to protect your interests.

Serious Injuries and Long-Term Care

Pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries due to the lack of protection pedestrians have when struck by vehicles. These serious injuries may require ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lifestyle modifications. Our personal injury case approach considers both immediate needs and long-term consequences.

Gathering Evidence

The success of your pedestrian accident case often depends on the quality of evidence available. Our accident law firm has the resources and expertise to conduct thorough investigations, work with expert witnesses, and present compelling evidence to support your claim.

The Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Many injured pedestrians worry about the cost to hire a pedestrian accident attorney. At our law office, we offer free consultation to discuss your case and explain your legal options. During this initial meeting, we’ll evaluate the merits of your injury case and provide honest advice about your prospects for recovery.

Does Insurance Pay If You Hit a Pedestrian?

Yes, insurance typically covers pedestrian accidents, but coverage depends on several factors:

Driver’s Liability Insurance: In Pennsylvania, drivers must carry minimum bodily injury liability coverage of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. This coverage applies when:

• The driver is at fault for the accident
• The pedestrian’s injuries exceed their own PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage

Pedestrian’s Own Insurance: Pedestrians may also have coverage through:

• Their own auto insurance policy (even as pedestrians)
• Medical insurance
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Important Note: The minimum coverage amounts may not be sufficient for serious pedestrian injuries, which can result in extensive medical bills and damages.

What Happens If You Hit a Pedestrian in PA?

Several legal and practical consequences follow:

Immediate Responsibilities:

• Stop at the scene (leaving is a hit-and-run, which carries serious penalties)
• Call 911 and report the accident
• Provide assistance to the injured pedestrian
• Exchange insurance information
• Cooperate with police investigation

Legal Consequences:

• Civil Liability: You may be responsible for the pedestrian’s medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages
• Criminal Charges: Possible if you were driving under the influence, recklessly, or flee the scene
• Insurance Claims: Your liability insurance will likely be involved
• Comparative Negligence: Pennsylvania follows comparative negligence rules, meaning fault can be shared between the driver and pedestrian

Insurance Impact:

• Your premiums will likely increase
• Your insurance company will investigate and potentially pay claims
• You may face personal liability if damages exceed your coverage limits

How Hard Is It to Win a Car Accident Lawsuit?

The difficulty varies significantly based on several factors:

Factors Affecting Success:

• Clear Fault: Cases with obvious liability are easier to win
• Evidence Quality: Strong documentation, witness statements, and medical records improve chances
• Severity of Injuries: More serious injuries often lead to higher settlements
• Legal Representation: Having an experienced Pennsylvania attorney significantly impacts outcomes, with settlements typically ranging from $333,333 to $5,000,000

Pennsylvania-Specific Challenges:

• Comparative Negligence: Even partial fault can reduce your recovery
• Limited vs. Full Tort: Your insurance election affects your right to sue for non-economic damages
• Two-Year Statute of Limitations: Missing this deadline bars your claim entirely

Success Rates: While specific statistics weren’t found in the search results, most personal injury cases (including car accidents) settle out of court rather than going to trial. Cases with clear liability and significant injuries have higher success rates.

What Happens If You Hit a Pedestrian and They Walk Away?

Even if a pedestrian walks away from the scene, several important considerations remain:

Immediate Actions:

• Still call police to report the incident
• Document the scene with photos
• Get witness contact information
• File a report with your insurance company

Potential Issues:

• Delayed Injury Symptoms: Adrenaline can mask injuries; symptoms may appear later
• Legal Protection: Having an official report protects you from later false claims
• Hit-and-Run Allegations: Failing to report could potentially be construed as leaving the scene

Why This Matters:

• The pedestrian may later claim injuries and file a claim
• Insurance companies prefer documented incidents
• Police reports provide objective third-party documentation
• Medical bills may surface days or weeks later

Best Practice: Always treat pedestrian accidents seriously, even if injuries aren’t immediately apparent. Many injuries, particularly soft tissue damage, concussions, or internal injuries, may not be immediately obvious but can be serious.

The key takeaway for all these scenarios is that pedestrian accidents are serious matters with significant legal and financial implications. Having proper insurance coverage and legal representation when needed is crucial for protecting your interests.

 

Contact Our Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Law Firm Today

If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident in the city of Philadelphia, don’t wait to seek legal representation. The attorneys at the Pearce Law Firm are ready to fight for your rights and help you secure the compensation you deserve. Edith Pearce is the founder of our accident defense firm and brings decades of experience to personal injury and car accident cases.

Our injury and car accident lawyers understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that pedestrian accident injuries can take on victims and their families. We’re committed to providing compassionate legal representation while aggressively pursuing justice on your behalf.

Whether you were injured in a crosswalk accident, hit-and-run incident, or any other type of pedestrian accident, our experienced personal injury attorney is here to help. We handle injury cases stemming from pedestrian crashes throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.

Contact our Philadelphia pedestrian accident law firm today for your free consultation. Let us put our expertise in personal injury law to work for you and help you navigate the complex legal process following a pedestrian accident. Remember, you don’t pay unless we win your case, so there’s no risk in getting the legal help you need.

Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you during this difficult time. Contact our philadelphia pedestrian accident attorney today and take the first step toward securing the compensation and justice you deserve. Our team is ready to provide the skilled legal representation you need to move forward with your life after a devastating pedestrian accident.