When you were young, you probably learned to look both ways before crossing the road to ensure you did not get hit by a car. Unfortunately, drivers do not always use common sense behind the wheel, which can be hazardous to pedestrians. Accidents involving people on foot can result in life-altering and even life-threatening injuries.
If a motor vehicle struck you while you were on foot, you should be aware that you have legal rights. A dedicated Albuquerque pedestrian accident lawyer could meet with you to explain your legal options and let you know if filing a personal injury lawsuit is a viable option.
Incidents involving cars hitting pedestrians happen frequently. These types of accidents can occur anywhere and anytime a person is walking in an area with cars or trucks.
Most frequently, they occur at intersections with or without dedicated crosswalks in busy urban areas with heavy foot and vehicle traffic. Drivers need to pay as much attention to people on foot as they do to people in other vehicles. Many motorists take the time to check for oncoming vehicle traffic before turning or entering an intersection, yet they neglect to look for pedestrians. Although people on foot are harder to see due to their smaller statures and size than cars, that is not an excuse for negligence. Drivers who speed through red lights or stop signs or fail to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk are at fault. These accidents can occur when motorists are in a rush, distracted, drowsy, or drunk.
Another dangerous place for pedestrians is in parking lots, where there is always a great deal of activity going on at the same time. Walkers can be in a rush to get back to their cars, and drivers might also be in a rush or distracted. Drivers can hit someone when they back out of their parking spot without checking in their rearview mirror for pedestrians.
People can even be at risk of experiencing great harm from a car when on a sidewalk or in a dedicated pedestrian area. If a driver is distracted, such as by a text on their phone, they might veer out of their lane and onto a sidewalk. Similarly, a drunk or drugged driver might lose control of their vehicle and drive into the path of a walker.
Regardless of where or how a car strikes a walker, the injured pedestrian deserves justice. A skilled pedestrian collision attorney from Albuquerque could help.
When an automobile strikes a human being, the resulting injuries are often devastating. Some of the injuries that can occur include:
Sadly, because people have no built-in protections to shield them from the impact of a colliding car, pedestrian accidents can result in fatalities. Compassionate and determined attorneys from Albuquerque know how to help surviving family members of deceased pedestrians pursue accountability in wrongful death lawsuits.
If a careless driver struck you or your loved one, you are probably facing a challenging recovery. While you focus on getting better both physically and emotionally, a seasoned Albuquerque pedestrian accident lawyer could help you pursue financial compensation from the person responsible for your accident.
Call our firm today to set up an initial consultation.
