A Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case
When a pedestrian is involved in a car accident, the results can be devastating. Because pedestrians are so vulnerable compared to motor vehicles, they often suffer serious injuries or even fatalities. If you’ve been involved in an accident as a pedestrian, you are likely dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and steep medical expenses. You may not be sure what to do next.
The Advocates are experienced pedestrian accident lawyers, and we are prepared to assist you in your recovery. We are proud to have successfully assisted thousands of pedestrian accident victims in receiving maximum compensation for their injuries over the last 30 years.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident and need a competent, caring attorney for your personal injury claim, The Advocates are ready to take your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
$2.5 Million
Head-on Car Crash
$1.3 Million
Side Impact Auto Accident
$1.0 Million
Side Impact Car Crash
$1.1 Million
Semi-Truck Auto Accident
$1.2 Million
Multiple Vehicle Collision
What Can an Advocate Attorney Do for My Case?
When you hire The Advocates to represent your case, you won't pay a dime in attorney fees upfront. That's our promise to you. Here are a few other ways we can help you.
- • Compile Your Medical Records
- • Build the Best Pedestrian Accident Claim
- • Negotiate with Pushy Insurance Adjusters
- • Win You the Best Possible Offer for Your Case
"Hiring The Advocates was the best move I could have made after my accident. They were very professional and made me feel confident my case would go smoothly. They really put me at ease. I would recommend them to anyone!" - Robert S.
Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer who is well-versed in pedestrian accidents can make all the difference in your recovery. When you’ve been injured, the associated medical bills and paperwork can seem never-ending.
You can always try to settle with insurance companies yourself, but it can be a stressful and confusing process, especially if you’re also dealing with injuries. Insurance companies are notorious for doing whatever they can to avoid compensating victims fairly.
A good pedestrian accident lawyer knows how to navigate the claims process, negotiate with insurance providers on your behalf, and litigate your case in court if necessary.
Studies have shown that hiring an injury attorney can increase the value of your settlement by up to 3.5 times the amount you can get by settling on your own. The Advocates can help you receive compensation for all expenses associated with your injury, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages, including loss of future earnings
- Vehicle repairs
- Physical and emotional distress
- Funeral expenses (in the event of wrongful death)
A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case
For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.
We can help you:
- Understand the claims process
- Investigate your accident
- Build your case
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters
- Take your case to court if necessary
Utah Pedestrian Accident Statistics
When are pedestrian accidents most likely to occur?
- Fatal pedestrian accidents are most likely to occur in the hours between 6:00 am and 9:00 am
- Nearly half of pedestrian deaths occur in Salt Lake County
- Around 40% of pedestrians involved in accidents are in a marked crosswalk at the time of the crash
Utah pedestrian accident statistics
- 16% of all fatal accidents in Utah involve a pedestrian
- 2% of all pedestrian accidents in Utah involve alcohol
- Since 2018, an average of 43 people have been killed in pedestrian accidents each year
- Pedestrians account for only 1% of people involved in accidents, but 15-20% of accident fatalities
Common causes of pedestrian accidents
- Distracted driving: Motorists become much more dangerous and unpredictable when texting or talking on the phone
- Alcohol or drugs: Pedestrian accidents are far more likely to happen when the driver or pedestrian is under the influence
- Poor visibility: Walking on poorly lit roads, especially without reflective clothing, makes it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians
- Failure to yield the right-of-way: If motorists or pedestrians are unfamiliar with the traffic laws in the area, they may enter intersections when it is not safe to do so, endangering those around them
- Bad weather: When conditions are rainy or icy, it is easy for drivers to lose control and swerve out of their lane
Common pedestrian accident injuries
Depending on the nature of your accident and the protective gear you were wearing at the time, pedestrian accident injuries can range from minor scratches to life-threatening conditions. Some common types of pedestrian injuries are:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken or missing teeth
- Broken bones
- Joint dislocation
- Ligament tears or strains
- Lacerations and bruising
Utah Pedestrian Safety Guidelines
- Use sidewalks whenever available
- Walk against traffic when no sidewalk is present
- When walking at night, wear bright, reflective clothing
- Know and follow the rules of the road
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Walk in pairs or groups if possible
- Be predictable
Utah Pedestrian Laws
What is a “pedestrian” under Utah law?
Utah code defines a pedestrian as a person traveling on foot or by wheelchair. People traveling on other wheeled devices, such as skateboards or scooters, are not pedestrians under the law.
Where are pedestrians allowed to cross the street?
The best places for pedestrians to cross the street include:
- Marked crosswalks
- Unmarked crosswalks
- Pedestrian bridges and tunnels
When a pedestrian is crossing the street at a crosswalk, marked or unmarked, motor vehicles must yield the right-of-way. If a pedestrian crosses at an area where there is not a crosswalk, the pedestrian must yield to motor vehicles.
Pedestrians may not cross between intersections controlled by traffic control signals. Local governments may designate other areas where pedestrians are prohibited from crossing the street.
Do pedestrians have to obey stop lights and stop signs?
Pedestrians must follow traffic signals and signs that specifically relate to pedestrians.
If no pedestrian signal is present at an intersection ruled by stop lights, the pedestrian may cross the street (within a crosswalk) when traffic traveling in the same direction has a green light. Vehicles making turns at that intersection must yield to the pedestrian.
Where should pedestrians walk when there is no sidewalk?
Pedestrians are required to use sidewalks whenever they are present. If no sidewalk is available, pedestrians should walk on the shoulder, as far off the roadway as is safe and practical. Pedestrians walking on the shoulder should walk against traffic (typically on the left side of the road).
Pedestrians who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs may not walk on the shoulder of the road; they may only use sidewalks.
Pedestrians are not permitted to walk along limited-access roads, such as interstate freeways, except in an emergency.
What is the statute of limitations for pedestrian accidents?
In every personal injury case, there is a time limit for plaintiffs to file a claim. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. After the statute of limitations is up, you will no longer be able to file a pedestrian accident claim.
In Utah, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 4 years. However, you should begin your case much sooner than that. Personal injury cases can take months or even years to settle. Additionally, the longer you wait to file, the harder it will be to gather evidence from your accident.
As soon as you believe you have a case, you should contact a pedestrian accident lawyer. Your attorney will begin building your case immediately, giving you the best chance at receiving a settlement.
Why Should I Hire a Pedestrian Injury Lawyer?
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, you will need to prove that the driver of the vehicle was at least partially at fault in order to receive a settlement. Utah is a modified comparative fault state, meaning that even if you had some fault in your accident, you can still receive some compensation for your damages.
However, the at-fault party’s insurance company will likely not make it easy for you to receive a fair settlement. Attempting to fight a multi-million dollar insurance company on your own can be stressful, frustrating, and detrimental to your recovery.
The Advocates are personal injury attorneys with years of experience negotiating with insurance providers and fighting for their clients’ right to fair compensation under the law. We will be by your side to listen to your story, provide sound legal advice, and help in your recovery any way we can.
If you’ve been involved in an accident as a pedestrian, the personal injury lawyers with The Advocates have your back. Contact us today for a free consultation.
You deserve experienced, competent legal representation for your pedestrian accident case. You deserve an Advocate.