Virginia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries that lead to financial and emotional stress for victims and their families. A Virginia pedestrian accident lawyer at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can help you seek compensation for damages, including medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We have recovered millions in damages for our clients and are ready to help you pursue justice with a pedestrian accident claim.
Because pedestrians have no protection and are so exposed to dangers on the road, they can sustain life-altering injuries if they’re involved in an accident with a motor vehicle. In fact, data from the Governors Highway Safety Association shows that pedestrian fatalities in the United States recently reached a 40-year high.
If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident in Virginia, you are probably dealing with painful injuries, expensive medical bills, and unresponsive insurance company representatives. However, you have rights and deserve justice. At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, we offer supportive legal representation to pursue the maximum compensation for your losses. We have 9 office locations in Virginia including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Hampton. Contact us to speak with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer today.
On This Page
- How Often Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
- Pedestrian Laws in Virginia
- How an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer from Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Can Help You
- Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
- Damages Available in a Pedestrian Accident
- Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Virginia
- What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
- How Long Do I Have to File My Pedestrian Accident Claim?
- Reach Out to a Virginia Pedestrian Accident Attorney From Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Today
How Often Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
Pedestrian crashes in Virginia may be more common than you think. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and the Virginia Highway Safety Office, 1,476 motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians occurred in 2022. That is a 5.5 percent increase from the previous year.
Of those 1,476 accidents, 1,390 pedestrians suffered injuries, and 171 were fatal collisions. Pedestrian fatalities in Virginia saw a shocking 36.8 percent increase from 2021 to 2022. They represented 17 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state that year.
Pedestrian Laws in Virginia
Virginia has specific laws that apply to pedestrians to improve safety for everyone on the road. Some of these laws include:
- Virginia Code § 46.2-923: Pedestrians may not carelessly or maliciously interfere with the flow of traffic when crossing highways. They may only cross at intersections or crosswalks and are allowed to cross intersections diagonally if permitted by that particular town or city.
- Virginia Code § 46.2-924: Drivers must stop if they see a pedestrian crossing in their lane or are in an adjacent lane and approaching the driver’s lane. Any vehicle behind a car that has stopped for a pedestrian cannot pass that car. Additionally, local governments must install and maintain marked crosswalks and highway signs to alert drivers to yield to pedestrians. If there are no signs, pedestrians must stop before entering the intersection.
- Virginia Code § 46.2-926: Pedestrians may not step into an intersection or attempt to cross a highway if something is blocking their presence or a driver would not see them in time to stop.
- Virginia Code § 46.2-928: If there is no sidewalk or a pedestrian walkway, pedestrians are permitted to use the roadway when necessary and must keep as far left as possible.
Virginia law allows pedestrian accident victims to pursue damages with a legal claim. Schedule a free consultation with our team to see if you qualify to recover damages.
How an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer from Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Can Help You
At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, our team has dedicated our practice to helping injury victims seek justice. Our award-winning Virginia personal injury lawyers offer support and comprehensive representation for victims so they can focus on their recovery and get back on their feet while we fight for the compensation they deserve.
When you work with our pedestrian accident lawyers in Virginia, you get:
- 120 years of combined experience in personal injury law
- Strong legal advocates who are with you every step of the way
- Thorough investigations to collect crucial evidence
- Access to resources and expert witnesses who can strengthen your case
- Strong negotiators who will push back against big insurance companies
- Guidance from a compassionate team of attorneys who care about you and your family
We have spent decades taking on unfair insurance adjusters and recovered millions in damages for our clients. Known as The Car Crash Experts, our Virginia car accident lawyers, truck accident lawyers, and pedestrian accident attorneys have the skills and knowledge to handle any motor vehicle case. Contact us today to see how we can help you with your case.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Virginia have seen the serious consequences these types of crashes can have on victims. While some people only suffer minor injuries, others sustain catastrophic injuries that significantly impact their lives. Depending on the severity of the accident, here are common pedestrian accident injuries:
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Cuts and lacerations
- Sprains, strains, and bruising
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Wrongful death
Some of these injuries cause long-term or permanent damage, including paralysis, mental deficits, and impaired senses. If you or a loved one has suffered any of these injuries, you can take legal action and claim financial support for your losses.
Damages Available in a Pedestrian Accident
Since pedestrian crashes can have profound effects on a person’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being, victims can claim both economic and non-economic damages in Virginia, including:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
However, Virginia’s contributory negligence law does not allow victims to recover damages if they share any percentage of fault for the accident. Our team can help you understand the law, evaluate whether you have a case, and see what your case may be worth. Call for a free case evaluation now.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Virginia
Several factors can impact a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. Some common causes of car accidents in Virginia that may involve pedestrians include:
- Drunk driving: Alcohol impairs drivers by reducing a person’s judgment, vision, color distinction, and reaction times. A drunk driver may not see a pedestrian or fail to stop the vehicle.
- Speeding: Going over the speed limit makes it difficult for drivers to observe pedestrians or brake in time to avoid a collision.
- Running a red light: Traffic violations and disregarding stop signs or lights can increase the risk of striking pedestrians who have the right of way.
- Distracted driving: Texting, talking on the phone, eating, or making adjustments to the navigation system can take a driver’s eyes off the road, which can lead to a pedestrian accident.
- Poor visibility: Bad weather conditions, poor lighting, and driving at night can affect a driver’s ability to see a pedestrian.
- Reckless driving: Some people are impatient on the road and choose to drive aggressively or make unsafe decisions. Unfortunately, this can result in a pedestrian accident.
- Poor road conditions: Construction, lack of signage, and poorly maintained roads can contribute to accidents.
Dangerous Intersections in Virginia
Some Virginia intersections are more dangerous than others due to a high volume of vehicles and complex traffic flows, including:
- Northampton Boulevard and Wesleyan Drive (Norfolk)
- East Little Creek Road and Chesapeake Boulevard (Norfolk)
- Norview Avenue and Sewells Point Road (Norfolk)
- Kempsville Road and Indian River Road (Virginia Beach)
- South Independence Road and I-264 Entry (Virginia Beach)
- Lynnhaven Parkway and South Lynnhaven Road (Virginia Beach)
When you work with Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, we conduct a full investigation to determine what caused the accident. We use proven legal strategies to determine fault and build a strong case.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
- Try to move to a safe location away from traffic to assess your injuries.
- Call for immediate medical attention — even if you think you feel fine.
- Do your best to take pictures of the accident scene and collect witness information.
- File a police report to ensure there is official documentation of the accident.
- Inform your insurance company of the incident.
- Attend all doctor appointments and follow through with treatment plans.
- Contact an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Virginia.
- Let your attorney handle communication with the driver’s insurance company to avoid saying something that could harm your ability to recover damages.
How Long Do I Have to File My Pedestrian Accident Claim?
The statute of limitations to file a pedestrian accident claim in Virginia is two years from the accident date. Although that might seem like a long time to take legal action, it is essential to speak with a skilled attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer will help you stay on top of deadlines, collect critical evidence, and ensure you take the right steps to claim compensation before the time limit expires.
Reach Out to a Virginia Pedestrian Accident Attorney From Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Today
When you work with Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, you have trusted pedestrian accident attorneys on your side to help you pursue the maximum amount for your losses. We have meeting locations throughout Virginia to help victims and their families anywhere in the state:
Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a pedestrian accident attorney.
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