What Is the Average Settlement for a Pedestrian Hit by a Car?

There’s no true “average” settlement for a pedestrian hit by a car. Every case in North Carolina is different based on the injuries, costs, and how they affect your life. 

Factors like how badly the person was hurt, how the accident happened, and how it changed their life all affect the final amount someone can recover. If you have been in such an accident, we can seek an injury settlement on your behalf while you heal from your injuries. 

Our pedestrian accident lawyer in Raleigh will explain what a fair settlement looks like in your specific case. You can learn more today about your situation and how our firm can help during a free consultation.

What Affects the Settlement Amount in a Pedestrian Accident?

While there’s no set monetary figure for a pedestrian accident settlement in North Carolina, most settlements cover the same basic types of losses, including:

• Medical bills: Hospital visits (including emergency room), surgeries, rehab, and follow-up care
• Lost income: Wages you missed while recovering
• Lost earning capacity: If someone’s injuries affect whether they can continue working
• Future care costs: If your injuries require long-term treatment
• Pain and suffering: The physical and emotional toll the accident caused

Severe injuries like broken bones, spinal cord damage, or traumatic brain injuries can result in higher settlements than sprains or cuts. If the crash caused someone’s death, the family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Who Pays the Settlement in a Crash Involving Pedestrian Injuries?

In most pedestrian accident cases, the driver’s auto insurance is responsible for paying the damages. If the driver has no insurance or not enough, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage might help if you have it.

Sometimes, other parties may be at fault, too, like:

• A company, if the driver was on the job
• A city or county, if a dangerous road condition played a part
• A bar, if they overserved a drunk driver

Our personal injury lawyer in Raleigh can investigate who is responsible and make sure all sources of insurance are explored.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Settlement?

Some cases settle in a few months. Others can take a year or more, especially if the injuries are serious, the parties disagree over the facts, or the case goes to trial.

Factors that can affect the timeline include:

• How long it takes to finish medical treatment
• How willing the insurance company is to negotiate
• Whether the case goes to court

While no lawyer can promise fast results, they can work to move your case forward while keeping you informed every step of the way.

Pedestrian Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

The human body isn’t built to withstand the force of a moving vehicle. Even at low speeds, a crash can cause serious harm. Common injuries survivors can suffer in pedestrian accidents include:

• Head and brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones or fractures
• Internal bleeding or organ damage
• Cuts, bruises, or road rash
• Vision loss, hearing loss

Long-term care, surgery, or rehabilitation may be needed—sometimes for years. Our catastrophic injury lawyer in Raleigh will work to secure damages for ongoing treatment, in-home care, and any future medical needs you may face.

Pedestrian-Car Accidents Can Happen to Anyone 

Pedestrian accidents don’t just happen to people crossing busy city streets. They can affect anyone in any community at any time. We’ve seen these crashes happen to:

• Children walking to or from school or a bus stop
• Parents pushing strollers or walking with young children
• Older adults crossing at marked or unmarked crosswalks
• Runners or joggers on sidewalks or shoulders
• Dog walkers near parks or neighborhoods
• Commuters walking to work or from a parking lot
• People using mobility aids, like wheelchairs or walkers

No matter your age, background, or reason for walking, a single moment of driver inattention can turn your life upside down. A pedestrian accident can happen in your neighborhood, often when you least expect it. 

What if a Loved One Died From Their Injuries?

If someone is killed after being hit by a car, their family may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This legal action allows survivors to recover damages for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical bills from attempts to save their life
• Lost future earnings
• Loss of companionship and support
• Emotional suffering

Under North Carolina law, only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate can file a wrongful death action. This is usually a close family member, such as a spouse, parent, or adult child. 

If you want to seek damages for the death of a family member, our compassionate wrongful death lawyer in Raleigh will explain how state laws work and how they affect your case.

What if the Driver Says the Car Accident Was the Pedestrian’s Fault?

Under North Carolina’s contributory negligence law, if you were even a little bit at fault, you may not be able to recover any damages. Insurance companies can try to blame the pedestrian for a crash by saying they:

• Stepped into the road without looking
• Crossed outside of a crosswalk
• Were distracted by a phone or headphones

Our lawyer can gather evidence—like traffic cam footage and witness statements—to prove the driver was at fault and protect your rights.

Can Working With a Lawyer Really Make a Difference?

Yes. Working with a pedestrian accident lawyer can:

• Help you understand how much your case is really worth
• Deal with the insurance company so you can focus on treating your injuries
• Gather the evidence you need to prove fault
• Protect you from being unfairly blamed
• Fight for the full amount of damages you deserve
• Keep your case on track and file your lawsuit on time. (The filing deadline is three years in personal injury cases under G.S. § 1-52 and two years in wrongful death cases under G.S. § 1-53.)

Insurance companies can use various tactics to avoid paying you what you need to recover from an injury. They might offer low settlements to unrepresented people, hoping they’ll take it and go away. We will help you avoid settling for less than you need.

Talk to Us About What Your Pedestrian Crash Settlement Might Look Like

The average settlement for a pedestrian hit by a car isn’t one-size-fits-all. Injury cases can vary greatly depending on the injuries and circumstances. If you or someone you love was hit by a car while walking, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. 

The team at Whitley Law Firm has represented seriously injured individuals in North Carolina for over 50 years. With more than 120 years of combined experience, we know what it takes to build a strong case.

Call us today for a free consultation. We return all telephone calls within 24 hours, and you don’t pay unless you recover your damages.