Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Charlotte

You can get professional help after a collision by hiring a Charlotte pedestrian accident lawyer from our team at Whitley Law Firm. We have over 120 years of combined experience that we can draw on to help you secure the compensation you need after a crash.

A pedestrian accident not only complicates the lives of the victims but also the lives of their caregivers. When this happens to you or your family, it is essential to seek the help of a Charlotte personal injury lawyer as early as possible.

You can call or fill out our online contact form to learn more.

When to Call a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Charlotte

The professionals recommend that you reach out to an attorney for help after any pedestrian collision that results in injuries, property damage, or death. Getting legal help quickly can boost your chances of securing maximum financial compensation.

Your personal injury attorney can review your situation and help you determine if you qualify to file a claim against the at-fault party.

You should also report your pedestrian crash to the police and seek medical care for any potentially catastrophic injuries you sustain. Taking these steps can strengthen your claim for compensation.

Compensation Available After a Pedestrian Collision

You may receive compensation to cover all the losses caused by your accident. Depending on your circumstances, your Charlotte pedestrian accident lawyer could get you funds to pay for your:

Medical Expenses

Pedestrian crashes can cause catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, spinal cord injuries (SCIs), and damage to internal organs.

Your personal injury lawyer may help you secure the money you need to cover all your medical costs, including the costs of:

• Emergency care
• Time in a hospital
• Medications
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

Our team can track all of these losses and your other expenses to help you secure a fair settlement.

Lost Wages

You may need time away from your job to heal after a pedestrian accident. Our team can push the liable party to cover your lost pay. We also bring compensation to some of our clients for their diminished earning potential.

Non-Economic Losses

The party responsible for your crash may need to pay you for all the non-economic effects of the collision. For example, a negligent driver may need to cover your emotional distress, pain, and mental suffering.

In some cases, our clients receive funds to cover the loss of consortium and loss of companionship.

Charlotte Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 785-5000

Why Pick Our Firm After a Pedestrian Crash

Our team at Whitley Law Firm has extensive experience handling complex personal injury claims. We believe in protecting our clients and serving all members of our local community.

You can rely on us to take calculated risks as we strive to resolve your claim. We provide compassionate advocacy for our clients as we develop creative solutions to their unique legal challenges.

We also have a reputation for successfully handling pedestrian crash claims. We recently secured a $2 million settlement for a client who experienced a TBI and skull fracture after this kind of collision. You can review our case results to see more examples of our work.

We Help Pedestrian Accident Victims on a Contingency Basis

Our team can take on your pedestrian accident claim using a contingency fee system, meaning you only have to pay legal fees after we resolve your claim. We never want to add to the financial strain you experience after a collision.

You can learn more about this system when you contact us for a risk-free initial consultation.

We Find the Liable Party After Your Pedestrian Collision

Our team can investigate the causes of your pedestrian crash and find the party that’s responsible for your losses. Our investigative process allows us to determine who we need to pursue for compensation.

Depending on your circumstances, we may:

• Visit the scene of your pedestrian crash
• Talk to eyewitnesses and take their official statements
• Get a copy of the police accident report
• Work with pedestrian accident experts
• Visit local businesses and request surveillance camera footage

The steps we take during an investigation vary based on your specific needs. We’ll adapt our strategies based on the facts surrounding your collision.

Insurance Company Responses to Pedestrian Accidents

Insurance companies are eager to settle claims right away and for as little money as possible. Too often, this means the injured party gets inadequate monetary coverage for medical and physical therapy bills. Hiring a skilled pedestrian accident attorney in Charlotte provides the best chance of securing coverage.

When someone seeks compensation for personal injury, they must collect information to demonstrate their losses. For example, we may need to collect your medical records, police reports, and parts of your personal history. In some cases, insurance claims adjusters will try to have you questioned after the accident.

Sadly, pedestrian accident attorneys have seen insurance claims adjusters use accident victims’ words against them. It is essential to seek legal assistance as early as possible, second only to seeking medical attention.

Do You Have to Settle After a Pedestrian Crash?

We can often help our clients settle out of court with the insurance company representing the liable party. However, we know that the insurance company may refuse to treat you fairly in some circumstances.

In these cases, we may help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party. We’ll explain the legal process of filing a lawsuit and support you if your case needs to go before a judge and jury.

We Can Help After a Fatal Pedestrian Crash

Your family can turn to a compassionate Charlotte wrongful death lawyer for legal assistance after the loss of a loved one. We believe in holding the negligent party responsible for a wrongful death.

We know that filing a legal claim cannot bring back your loved one, but it does give you a chance to hold all negligent parties accountable for their actions. Additionally, filing a legal claim can help your family secure damages to cover the financial pressures of a fatal accident.

Time Limits on Pedestrian Accident Claims

North Carolina imposes a statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Generally, you only have three years from the time of your crash to seek fair compensation to cover your losses.

If you wait too long to move forward with a personal injury claim, the court can dismiss your request for compensation. That’s why you should reach out to a Charlotte pedestrian accident attorney for help quickly after your crash.

Risks Associated With Walking in Charlotte, NC

Walking busy streets carries some risk. Despite being generally responsible for looking both ways, obeying the walk signals, learning pedestrian safety tips, and feeling safe enough to do it every day, pedestrian accidents happen all too often.

Pedestrian accidents have a higher incidence of fatality than collisions between two vehicles. Cars, trucks, and other vehicles weigh significantly more than humans, and often, the human body cannot sustain the impact.

The result is usually a family losing their loved one or the injured party having lifelong health complications. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable to pedestrian accidents.

How North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Rule Affects Your Case

North Carolina follows a legal doctrine called contributory negligence, and it is one of the most important things to understand before you file a pedestrian accident claim. Under this rule, if you are found even partially at fault for your own accident, you may be barred from recovering any compensation at all.

Insurance companies know this rule well, and they use it aggressively. An adjuster may suggest that you were jaywalking, not paying attention, or wearing dark clothing at night. Even a small assignment of fault on your part can be used to deny your claim entirely.

This is one of the strongest reasons to have an attorney in your corner before you speak with anyone from the insurance company. Our team at Whitley Law Firm knows how adjusters build these arguments, and we know how to counter them. We gather evidence early, document the driver’s negligence clearly, and work to make sure the facts of your case are not distorted.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Charlotte

Charlotte’s roads are busy, and pedestrian accidents rarely happen by chance. Most collisions trace back to a driver who was speeding, or simply not paying attention at the right moment. We work to uncover the true cause of your crash to support your case.

Some of the most common causes our team sees include:

• Distracted driving: A driver looking at a phone, adjusting the radio, or eating behind the wheel can miss a pedestrian entirely, even in a marked crosswalk.
• Failure to yield: Drivers are required by law to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Many accidents happen when a driver rolls through a stop or turns without checking for foot traffic.
• Speeding: Higher vehicle speeds mean less reaction time and far more severe injuries when a collision does occur.
• Impaired driving: Drunk or drugged drivers are a particular danger to pedestrians.
• Poor visibility conditions: Dim lighting or obstructed sightlines can contribute to accidents, though drivers are still expected to adjust their speed and attention accordingly.
• Backing vehicles: Parking lot and driveway accidents are more common than people realize, particularly for children and older adults who may be harder to spot.

If any of these factors played a role in your accident, our team can help you build a case around the evidence.

Contact Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Charlotte, NC

A pedestrian accident, when not fatal, can have outcomes that range from disfigurement to paralysis. Often, these accidents leave the victim with astronomically expensive lifelong care and reduce their loved ones’ earning potential as family members sacrifice work hours to care for the injured party.

An experienced Charlotte pedestrian accident lawyer will understand exactly how difficult this can be. If you have survived such a traumatic injury or loss, you need legal help to get the compensation you deserve.

Our team at Whitley Law Firm can fiercely advocate for you. We will give your case the careful attention it deserves. Find out more about how we can help by calling or completing our online contact form.