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Pedestrian accidents can result in serious – and oftentimes catastrophic – personal injuries. These injuries can range from soft tissue neck and back injuries to cuts and bruises, abrasions, scarring, disfigurement, fractures, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and, in some cases, death.

Despite the possible serious injuries that can result, pedestrian accidents are all too common in the State of North Carolina. The most typical causes of these accidents include distracted driving and negligent driving. In pedestrian accident cases, insurance companies do everything in their power to limit their liability. In some cases, insurance companies even go so far as to deny liability altogether, alleging that the injured pedestrian somehow caused or contributed to the accident and/or the injuries sustained.

Under the North Carolina law of contributory negligence, an injured plaintiff who contributes but one percent to an accident is not entitled to any recovery under the law. Therefore, it is essential that you have an experienced Greensboro pedestrian accident lawyer representing you every step of the way. An experienced injury lawyer in Greensboro can build a strong claim to help recover successfully on your behalf.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can take many forms. In some cases, it involves looking away from the road, listening to loud music in the car, or roughhousing with passengers inside the car while driving.  More commonly, it involves using a cellular phone or other wireless electronic device, or texting while driving. A pedestrian accident attorney in Greensboro can best explain further examples of distracted driving.

When drivers are engaged in cell phone calls or text messaging while driving, they are diverting their attention away from what should be their sole responsibility at that time – driving safely and avoiding pedestrians and other vehicles. When drivers are distracted while behind the wheel of a car, the results can be catastrophic and the injuries can be deadly.

Negligent Driving

As with distracted driving, negligent driving can take many forms. Negligent driving usually involves failing to obey traffic laws and traffic signs while operating motor vehicles on the roadway – and in particular around intersections where pedestrians are likely to be walking or standing nearby.

Negligent driving includes speeding and failing to obey stop signs, yield signs, and other traffic control devices at intersections and at railroad crossings.

Drivers must remember that all signs and traffic control devices on the roadway are “signs of life” and are there for one reason – to keep other vehicle drivers and pedestrians safe and alive.

Negligent driving also involves failing to drive in an appropriate manner for the conditions then-and-there existing. Examples include driving too fast in foggy conditions or when there is low visibility – or speeding in rainy conditions, resulting in the vehicle hydroplaning. No matter the cause of negligence, a Greensboro pedestrian accident lawyer can help to recover any potential damages associated with the claim.

Burden of Proof

Drivers of motor vehicles owe a duty to pedestrians and other drivers to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe and prudent manner under the circumstances. In order for an injured pedestrian to prove negligence in an accident involving a motor vehicle, the injured pedestrian must prove that the vehicle driver breached the applicable duty of care and that this breach proximately resulted in injuries and damages, such as medical treatment and lost income from work.

The driver’s insurance company may try to prove that the injured pedestrian was contributorily negligent and that the pedestrian is not entitled to any monetary recovery. A seasoned pedestrian accident attorney in Greensboro can help argue against the insurance company.

Contact a Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents can result in very serious injuries – all as a result of someone else’s carelessness, recklessness, and negligence. If you or someone you love has sustained injuries in a pedestrian accident that resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to monetary compensation under North Carolina law.

An experienced Greensboro pedestrian accident lawyer will be able to discuss the facts and circumstances of your case with you and formulate a plan for moving forward.