Pedestrian accidents often lead to painful injuries and costly expenses. If you’re eligible for a personal injury lawsuit, you might wonder how much compensation you can get if you’re hit by a car. Continue reading to find out.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are an all-too-common occurrence on Pennsylvania roads. These are a few of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Poor weather
• Nighttime driving and poor visibility
• Improper left-hand turns
• Reversing accidents
• Failing to stop at a stop sign

These are just a few of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents. Drivers are often accustomed to looking for other drivers on the road, but may not notice pedestrians in the area until it’s too late. By the time they notice them, they may have already hit them, causing severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or broken bones.

Read more: 4 Steps to Take After Dealing With a Personal Injury

Who Is Liable in a Pedestrian Accident?

In many cases, the driver is at fault when a pedestrian accident occurs. This is because it is the driver’s responsibility to be aware of their surroundings at all times, including looking for pedestrians on the road and in parking lots.

Pennsylvania’s laws regarding pedestrians depend on the location and whether traffic signals are available or not. If there are no traffic signals, vehicles are required to give the right of way to pedestrians in the intersection. Vehicles are also not allowed to drive into safety zones.

However, if a pedestrian is not at an intersection, they do not have the right of way. Pedestrians are also required to be aware of their surroundings and cannot walk or run into the path of a vehicle. Pedestrians must also use crosswalks when they’re available. For this reason, pedestrians can sometimes be partially, or fully, to blame for an accident. Many pedestrian accident cases include details that could place blame on both the pedestrian and the driver.

How Insurance Works in Pennsylvania

Most auto insurance policies in Pennsylvania come with a mandatory personal injury protection (PIP) policy. This is between $5,000- $50,000 in insurance coverage for medical bills that come from car or pedestrian accidents. It is similar to health insurance and may cover injuries in a pedestrian accident.
Even if you don’t have auto insurance, or another driver was clearly at fault, you can also receive compensation for your injuries under the at-fault driver’s PIP insurance. But, this will only apply if a PIP policy is not available for the injured pedestrian, either under their own insurance policy or through a family member’s.

Some pedestrian accident costs can exceed this amount, to which you would have to personally pay out of pocket. That is unless another driver was at fault. Then, a personal injury lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim. The amount available with a personal injury case will vary, depending on the severity of the injuries, as well as the damages involved.

When to Reach Out to a Personal Injury Lawyer

Your PIP coverage is a good start to getting your pedestrian accident costs covered, but it will not usually cover the full amount. If you are struggling to pay for your bills following a pedestrian injury, you may have legal options available. It can be beneficial to reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Read more: Pedestrian Accident: What Are My Legal Options?

Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Pedestrian Accident Case in Pennsylvania

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a pedestrian accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The Law Office of Mark A. Smith represents clients injured because of pedestrian accidents in Pittsburgh, Homestead, Erie, Greensburg, and throughout Pennsylvania. Call (412) 368-8398 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.