Every year, people simply crossing the street or walking on sidewalks become victims of vehicle accidents. These incidents often lead to serious injuries, like broken bones, head trauma, or worse. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to know what steps to take next.
That’s where our team at Levine Law comes in. Having the right legal help on your side is essential, and our Glendale pedestrian accident lawyer is here to guide you through the process. We will fight to protect your rights and help you secure the compensation you deserve after a pedestrian accident.
Pedestrian Laws in Colorado
In Colorado, specific laws are designed to keep pedestrians safe and hold drivers accountable for accidents. These laws dictate how drivers and pedestrians should behave on the road.
Pedestrians have the right of way at marked crosswalks and intersections, meaning vehicles must stop for them. This rule helps prevent accidents but isn’t always followed by drivers.
On the other hand, pedestrians must also follow certain rules, like using sidewalks and crosswalks properly. Jaywalking, or crossing the street where it’s not allowed, can put you at greater risk of an accident. If a pedestrian doesn’t follow traffic signals or cross unsafely, this might affect who is considered at fault in an accident claim.
Understanding these laws is essential when filing a claim. A pedestrian accident attorney in Glendale, CO, can help you understand how the law applies to your case and what steps to take if you’ve been injured. Our Glendale auto accident lawyer at Levine Law will explain how these rules impact liability and compensation.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
In 2023 alone, nearly 140 people died in pedestrian accidents across Colorado. Countless others were injured in these often preventable accidents. Pedestrian accidents happen for many reasons, often due to driver behavior or poor conditions. Here are some of the most common causes:
Distracted Driving
When drivers are using their phones or not paying attention, they become a huge danger to people walking nearby. Looking at a text or changing the radio can make drivers miss someone crossing the street. Distracted driving is one of the biggest reasons for accidents involving pedestrians.
Driver Fatigue
Tired drivers might not notice pedestrians walking or crossing the street because their reaction times slow down. When drivers are exhausted, they make more mistakes and put everyone at risk. A tired driver can be just as dangerous as a distracted one.
Drunk or Impaired Driving
Drivers who are drunk or high have slower reaction times and bad judgment, making it easy for them to hit a pedestrian. It’s hard for impaired drivers to stay focused on the road, and they might not stop in time. Drinking or using drugs before driving is one of the most dangerous things someone can do.
Failure to Yield at Crosswalks
Sometimes, drivers ignore the rule that says pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks, leading to accidents. Even when pedestrians are crossing where they’re supposed to, drivers can be careless and not stop. Crosswalks are meant to be safe, but not every driver follows the rules.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
When drivers go too fast, stopping if a pedestrian steps out is hard. Speeding in busy areas with lots of people walking around is especially risky. Reckless drivers put pedestrians in danger just by being careless with their speed.
Poor Visibility
Bad weather conditions or even the dark of the night can make it hard for drivers to see people walking. If they can’t see you, they can’t avoid hitting you. Even with headlights, visibility problems can lead to accidents.
A top-rated pedestrian accident lawyer in Glendale can help you determine what caused your accident and who is at fault. Knowing the cause is critical when building a strong case.
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Taking Legal Action After a Pedestrian Accident
If you’re injured in a pedestrian accident, taking the right steps afterward is crucial for your recovery and your legal claim. Here’s what to do:
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, getting checked out by a doctor is important. Certain injuries, like concussions, can take time to show symptoms and might become more serious if left untreated. Also, having a medical record of your injuries is useful if you need to make a claim later.
Report the Accident
Call the police and make sure they write an official report about what happened. This report can be a key piece of evidence to prove your case. Having the accident on record is always better, so everything important is known.
Gather Evidence
Collect as much information as possible from the scene. Get the driver’s contact info and names of any witnesses, and take pictures of the accident area. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be if you file a claim later.
Once you take these steps, you can file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver. A pedestrian accident attorney in Glendale, CO, can help you with this process, ensuring your rights are protected and you get the compensation you need.
At Levine Law, our pedestrian injury attorney near you will work hard to negotiate a fair settlement. If negotiations don’t work, we are ready to take your case to court.
Proving Liability in Pedestrian Accident Cases
Proving liability, or who is at fault, is one of the most important parts of a pedestrian accident case. You and your attorney must gather evidence to show that the driver acted negligently. This evidence might include:
- Witness Statements: People who saw the accident can provide valuable information.
- Accident Reports: Police reports often include details that can help prove fault.
- Photos or Surveillance Footage: Any pictures or video of the scene can show what happened.
In Colorado, pedestrian accident cases also involve the comparative negligence rule. This means that even if the pedestrian was partly at fault (for example, if they were jaywalking), they could still receive compensation, but the percentage of their fault would reduce it. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault, you would receive 80% of the compensation you are awarded.
Our Glendale pedestrian accident lawyer can help explain this rule and how it might apply to your case. We work hard to prove the other party’s negligence so you can get the most compensation possible.
Potential Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims
After a pedestrian accident, victims often face many challenges, including medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. Here are some types of damages that you might be able to claim:
- Medical Expenses: This includes both immediate and future medical bills, like hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages: If your injury caused you to miss work, you can claim compensation for lost income.
- Pain and Suffering: Serious injuries often lead to physical and emotional pain, which this type of damage compensates for.
- Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation: Some injuries require ongoing, expensive treatment.
The amount of compensation depends on many factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and the other party’s fault. A top-rated pedestrian accident lawyer in Glendale can help you understand what kind of compensation you can expect and fight for the best possible outcome.
At Levine Law, we ensure every pedestrian accident victim gets the full compensation they deserve. Our no-win, no-fee pedestrian accident lawyer in Glendale will work on your case without charging you upfront. You only pay if we win.
Why Work With Us?
At Levine Law, we put our clients first. Our award-winning team of injury attorneys has been serving Denver and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. We help people whose negligence has seriously hurt others and are not afraid to take on tough cases. Whether it’s a car accident, a serious injury, or even a wrongful death, we fight hard to get you the justice you deserve.
Our lawyers aren’t just experienced. We truly care about your well-being. We take the time to understand your case, keep you updated every step of the way, and work tirelessly to get you the compensation you’re owed. Plus, with our “no win, no fee” policy, you don’t pay anything unless we win your case.
Contact Our Glendale Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident, don’t wait to get legal help. The sooner you talk to a pedestrian accident attorney in Glendale, CO, the better your chances of building a strong case.
At Levine Law, our Glendale accident lawyer will help guide you through every step, from understanding pedestrian laws to fighting for the compensation you deserve.