Personal Injury Lawyer

Wilkes-Barre, Sugarloaf and Hazleton, Pennsylvania

Pedestrian Accident FAQ

• What should I do if I am involved in a pedestrian accident?
• What are my responsibilities as a pedestrian?
• What is comparative negligence?
• What do I do if the person who hit me when I was a pedestrian is an underinsured or uninsured motorist?
• What damages can I recover if I was in a pedestrian accident?

What should I do if I am involved in a pedestrian accident?

If you are involved in a pedestrian accident there are several things you should remember.

• Stay calm
• Dont leave the scene of the accident
• Get emergency medical treatment for any injuries. Even if you think your injuries are minor, make sure you see a physician because serious injuries arent always apparent at first.
• Call the police. If they dont come to the scene, then make sure that you report it as soon as possible.
• Get information from the other parties involved including name, address, phone numbers, drivers license number and expiration date, vehicle license plate number, registration, and insurance information (including the insurance policy number)
• Get eyewitnesses names, addresses, and phone numbers, including those of vehicle passengers
• Contact your insurance company and notify it that you were in a pedestrian accident
• Speak with an experienced personal injury lawyers such as those at The Falvello Law Firm to establish whether you have a case and to protect your rights

Remember that even if it was a hit-and-run accident you still need to contact the police and your insurance company.

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What are my responsibilities as a pedestrian?

As a pedestrian, you have a duty to obey all traffic and pedestrian signals and signs. If you do not, you can be cited for jaywalking and even sent to jaywalking school if you have excessive violations. Even worse, you could be involved in a pedestrian accident with a motor vehicle. However, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against the driver of the motor vehicle even if you are partially responsible for your pedestrian accident.

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What is comparative negligence?

In Pennsylvania, you may sue another party for damages even if you were partly responsible for the accident as long as you can show that you were less than 50% responsible for the accident and the other party was 50% or more responsible. This comparative negligence system compares the amount of fault of all the parties involved.

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What do I do if the person who hit me when I was a pedestrian is an underinsured or uninsured motorist?

Your auto insurance policy can be used when drivers of other vehicles cause you damage and they are underinsured or uninsured. This is called underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage, and most people carry it on their auto insurance policies. If you have this coverage, it may provide protection for you and your family if you are injured by an at-fault, dead-beat driver.

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What damages can I recover if I was in a pedestrian accident?

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be able recover damages for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

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The best way to determine what you might be able to recover is to discuss your pedestrian accident case with an experienced personal injury lawyer such as those at The Falvello Law Firm. The Falvello Law Firm serves clients in Hazleton, Sugarloaf, Wilkes-Barre, Berwick, and Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.