Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Fredericksburg

If a vehicle driver hit you while you were a pedestrian in Fredericksburg or anywhere else in Virginia, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, mental anguish and more. At Marks & Harrison, our Fredericksburg pedestrian accident lawyers believe that negligent drivers who cause injuries to others should be held accountable. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to pursue fair compensation for your injuries.

Marks & Harrison has been helping pedestrian accident victims throughout Fredericksburg and Virginia for more than a century. We are also one of the largest law firms in Virginia, with offices in Fredericksburg and nine other cities. Our legal team consists of knowledgeable attorneys, skilled paralegals, and veteran investigators. We are ready to put those resources to work for you. Contact us now and learn more in a free consultation.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Fredericksburg

Pedestrian accident injuries often are more severe than injuries in other types of accidents because of the difference in weight and protection provided by a vehicle versus the unprotected human body. Common injuries that pedestrians in Fredericksburg suffer from accidents include:

• Back and neck injuries – Even a collision at low speed can cause severe damage to important supportive bone structures, potentially leading to paralysis, disability, and a lengthy rehabilitation process.
• Head and brain injuries – Because the brain is the command center of the body, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have lasting effects on essential life functions and could possibly impact a person’s life for weeks, months, years, or permanently.
• Cuts and lacerations – Pedestrians frequently experience cuts and lacerations when hit by a car or when striking the ground after impact. These injuries can lead to infections and permanent scarring.
• Broken bones – If a pedestrian breaks a leg, arm, or other bone in a collision, the recovery process can take months and result in missing work, lost wages, and reduced quality of life.
• Loss of a limb – When a pedestrian’s extremities are damaged beyond repair, and amputation is necessary, or when the impact of the collision severs a limb, the effects are debilitating.
• Burns – Heat from the vehicle’s engine, or fire occurring due to the accident, may leave a pedestrian with severe third-degree burns. Burns are extremely painful and can lead to disfigurement and difficult recovery.

It is important to remember that not all pedestrian accident injuries are physical. Even if you do not suffer severe physical injuries, you may suffer long-term emotional trauma. Being struck by a car is a terrifying experience. Pedestrians often have great difficulty coping with the emotional trauma it causes. A knowledgeable Fredericksburg pedestrian accident attorney from Marks & Harrison will be able to give you an idea of the types of compensation you may be eligible to recover based on your injuries.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Fredericksburg

Pedestrians are common in Fredericksburg, especially in the downtown area, around schools, and the University of Mary Washington. Unfortunately, not all motorists know how to share the streets safely with them. Motorist negligence is to blame for the bulk of pedestrian accidents in Fredericksburg. In many cases, drivers are distracted by phones, eating, drinking, children in the car, and other distractions, which leads them to commit acts such as:

• Failing to stop at a crosswalk, red light or stop sign
• Failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian
• Speeding through areas where pedestrians are common
• Making a turn directly into a pedestrian’s path.

In many cases, motor vehicle drivers cause accidents because they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs or because they are simply in a hurry and, as a result, more prone to engaging in reckless and aggressive driving. No matter the cause of your pedestrian accident, if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you should contact a pedestrian accident lawyer at Marks & Harrison to learn about your rights and options.

What To Do If a Car Hits You as a Pedestrian in Fredericksburg

Being struck by a car as a pedestrian can be a stressful and traumatic experience. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Fredericksburg, take a deep breath, try to remain calm, and take the following steps:

• Get to safety and seek medical attention. If you’ve been struck by a vehicle, you first need to protect your health and safety. Get out of the road and away from traffic. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may need immediate emergency medical assistance. Do not let the high cost of medical treatment deter you from seeking help. If a negligent driver caused your injuries, your lawyer at Marks & Harrison will fight for compensation for all your medical bills. Also, a doctor’s report may prove to be valuable evidence if you make an injury claim against the at-fault driver.
• Contact the police. Call the police as soon as possible and make sure the officer creates a report. An attorney at our firm may be able to use the police report to establish negligence and liability. Talk to the officer to ensure that your side of the story is included in the report. However, do not talk to insurance companies before you talk with your Marks & Harrison lawyer first.
• Exchange information with the driver who hit you. Make sure you get the driver’s name, phone number, address, driver’s license number, vehicle make and model, and license plate number.
• Take photos of the accident scene. Photos can prove to be critical evidence for a personal injury claim. Try to get an array of photos from different distances and angles. Be sure to take pictures of any road hazards involved and your injuries (if they are visible).
• See if there were any witnesses. If people saw the accident, get their names and contact information. Your attorney can gather witness statements that have the potential to strengthen your case.

Contact Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Fredericksburg

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, filing an insurance claim and/or lawsuit can be confusing and intimidating. Fortunately, an experienced Virginia pedestrian accident lawyer at Marks & Harrison can help. You should call us as soon as possible to discuss your case. We will conduct a thorough, prompt investigation of your case, protect your legal rights, and ensure that you do not say or do anything that could compromise your pedestrian injury claim. Above all, we will aggressively pursue all the compensation you deserve. Get started now. Contact our Fredericksburg office for a free evaluation of your case.