Pedestrian accident injuries can have a tremendous impact on your life. Pedestrians who get hit by a car or other motor vehicle seldom walk away with minor injuries. They often face severe or catastrophic injuries and piling medical bills. IF the insurance company is uncooperative while you are out of work due to injuries and you can’t provide for your family, the stress can increase exponentially.
But as a pedestrian accident injury victim, you have rights. Our skilled El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney is passionate about helping pedestrian accident victims. We are ready to fight for you and help you get the financial support you are entitled to.
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What Is a Pedestrian Accident Claim in El Paso County?
Simply put, a pedestrian accident claim is a formal legal request for financial compensation for your damages. This often results from a negligent driver who harms and injures a pedestrian. When a pedestrian gets hit by a car, they have a right to claim monetary compensation from the at-fault driver.
Sometimes, the at-fault insurance will agree on a settlement. But, they almost always offer a lowball settlement offer that is much less than what the pedestrian injury victim deserves. If you were injured in an El Paso County pedestrian accident, you might need to seek professional legal counsel.
A El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney can represent you in court if you need to battle an insurance company that undervalues or denies your claim. Even if you don’t need to go to court, an El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney will help you hold all responsible parties accountable and chart the path for you to get maximum compensation.
Colorado Pedestrian Laws
Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 42-4-802 outlines most situations when a pedestrian has the right of way, including:
- Pedestrians have the right of way when they enter a road on a crosswalk and without dedicated traffic signals. Drivers must yield to pedestrians, but can continue driving if the pedestrian is on the other side of the crosswalk.
- Pedestrians are supposed to yield to the right of way if a vehicle is legally occupying a traffic lane and they cannot suddenly leave a crib to impede oncoming traffic.
- Drivers should not attempt to pass a vehicle that stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the street.
- Drivers and pedestrians must follow “walk” and “don’t walk” signals. Pedestrians with the walk signal have the right of way and still have it if the “don’t walk” signal flashes while they are in the crosswalk. Pedestrians need to yield to cars when the “don’t walk” sign is on.
- Pedestrians may cross from the corner of an intersection to any other corner as long as they have a “walk: signal” and there is no oncoming traffic from any direction.
Leading Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in El Paso County
There are many different causes for Colorado pedestrian accidents. Some of the most common causes include:
- Speeding drivers
- Failing to obey traffic signs and signals
- Failure to yield
- Texting while driving
- Other distractions while driving
- Drunk driving
- Poor visibility due to weather conditions
- Driving too fast in the given conditions or during poor visibility
If you were injured by a driver who engaged in any of the above or any other negligent driving behavior, you need to speak with an El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney. They will help you understand your legal rights. They will assess your case and offer professional legal guidance to ensure you make the best decisions for a successful case outcome.
Most Common Types of Injuries Colorado Pedestrian Accident Victims Suffer
A reckless driver can pose a tremendous risk to pedestrians. Pedestrians are especially vulnerable since they don’t have the same protection as passenger vehicles. Therefore, if a car hits a pedestrian, the outcome is much more severe for the pedestrian. They often suffer severe injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Bone fractures
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe road burn
- Bruises and lacerations
A pedestrian who gets hit by a car does not only suffer physical pain. They also suffer emotional and mental anguish. Any accident involving a car is traumatic but getting hit by a car as a pedestrian is terrifying.
Colorado pedestrian accident victims should work with a knowledgeable El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney to get the maximum compensation available.
What Damages Are Available For Me To Recover in a Pedestrian Accident Case?
If you were injured in a Colorado pedestrian accident, my many eligible to recover some or all the following damages:
- Medical bills, including future medical costs associated with the accident injuries
- Assistive care
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death if you loved one died in a pedestrian accident
We believe that accident injury victims deserve justice and are compassionate about fighting to help protect their rights. As qualified El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorneys, we know what steps to take to get you the maximum compensation possible. We’ll handle all of the legal proceedings while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life after such a traumatic event.
Colorado Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Most pedestrian accidents occur while a pedestrian is crossing the road. Colorado had a record high for traffic deaths in 2022. 36% of those fatalities involved people outside of the car, including 109 pedestrians (14.6% of traffic fatalities). According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, the increase in SUVs play a role in the rising rates of pedestrian fatalities.
Furthermore, according to Denver 7, about one third of all pedestrian accidents involve a drunk or intoxicated driver.
Why Choose Our El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorneys?
Our team of El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorneys has the experience and expertise necessary to win your case. We respect our clients and communicate with them throughout the entire process. Additionally, we give each client individual attention and tailored legal advice to meet their needs.
Every pedestrian accident victim deserves competent and committed legal counsel. We know how it feels to be in your shoes and that’s why we fight so hard to get you the results you deserve.
Here are some of the ways our El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney can assist you:
- Launching a thorough investigation into the accident
- Gathering supporting evidence for your case
- Handling all communications with insurance companies
- Filing necessary paperwork and documents
- Represent you in court
El Paso County Pedestrian Accident FAQs
What Is the Average Settlement for a Pedestrian Accident Case in El Paso County
There is no set answer for this, as each settlement is determined on a case-by-case basis. You need to consider the nature and extent of your injuries to accurately determine a claim value. That said, the average settlement from a pedestrian accident case can range from $15,000 to $80,000. If you have a severe or catastrophic injury, you may be eligible to win a settlement of $500,000 or more. Again, an experienced El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney can assess your damages and help you determine a fair claim value.
How Does Negligence Play A Role in Pedestrian Accidents in Colorado?
A negligent driver who causes injuries to a pedestrian can be held accountable. Since every driver has a duty to exercise reasonable care and prudence on the road, injuring a pedestrian is considered negligence. Whether the driver intentionally or accidentally caused harm, they can still be found negligent and held legally responsible for any damages they imposed on the pedestrian.
Who Pays for My Medical Bills After a Colorado Pedestrian Accident?
The at-fault party or their insurance company is usually responsible for paying a pedestrian’s medical bills after an accident. If the pedestrian is partially at fault for the accident, there may be multiple parties (or insurance companies) that are responsible for paying damages. A El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney can help you identify all liable parties. That way you can pursue damage compensation from the appropriate parties.
Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way in Colorado?
Not always. Pedestrians should use crosswalks and walk signals when they are available and should not impede traffic. When a pedestrian is crossing on a crosswalk or with a walk signal, they have the right of way. However, if a pedestrian steps off of the curb into oncoming traffic, they don’t have the right of way. This will all affect the matter of liability in a pedestrian accident case. You can have an experienced El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney assess your case details to determine who is liable for the accident.
How Do I Get a Settlement After Getting Injured in A Pedestrian Accident?
This is normally done by negotiating a settlement through the at-fault party’s insurance company. If they refuse to cooperate or offer a fair settlement, you can file a legal action with the help of a qualified El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney.
The key to winning financial compensation is providing sufficient evidence to prove all the damages and losses you suffered. This is where an El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney is crucial to your case, as they know what evidence you need to collect for a solid case. When you have a lawyer, the other side knows you’re serious and not willing to settle for less than you deserve.
Do I Need To Court If I File A Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Not necessarily. Most personal injury cases don’t go to trial since they can be negotiated outside of a courtroom. However, if the at fault insurance company does not want to play fair, we are prepared to take your case to court. No matter what, we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact an Experienced El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
If you were injured in an El Paso County pedestrian accident, you may have sustained severe injuries. You have a right to hold the negligent driver accountable for everything you’ve been through. We want to fight for you. It costs nothing to speak with an experienced El Paso County Pedestrian Accident Attorney and find out how we can help with your case.
We offer a free initial consultation so call us today.
