Walking should be one of the safest ways to get around Roanoke. However, pedestrian accidents occur far too often when drivers fail to watch for pedestrians or speed through crosswalks. These collisions can leave victims with devastating injuries that change their lives forever.

At Marks & Harrison, our pedestrian accident lawyers understand the impact these incidents have on victims and their families. Since 1911, we have fought for injured individuals throughout Virginia, securing significant results in complicated personal injury cases. If you suffered injury after being struck by a vehicle while walking in Roanoke, contact us today for a free consultation.

What Are Virginia’s Laws Regarding Pedestrians?

Virginia law has specific rules that both pedestrians and drivers must follow to ensure everyone’s safety on the roads.

Specifically, Virginia law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians who are crossing the street within the driver’s lane or an adjacent lane in:

  • Marked crosswalks
  • Other designated pedestrian crossings
  • Any intersection where the speed limit is 35 miles per hour (mph) or less.

Drivers who fail to yield the right of way under these circumstances violate state law and may be held liable for resulting injuries. While other laws place some duties on pedestrians, drivers bear the primary responsibility to watch for people on foot and exercise reasonable care to avoid striking them.

What Are Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Roanoke?

Pedestrian accidents stem from various forms of driver negligence and road conditions that create dangerous situations for people on foot. Common causes of pedestrian accidents in Roanoke and throughout Virginia include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding
  • Failure to yield at crosswalks
  • Impaired driving
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Failure to adjust to poor visibility conditions
  • Backing up without looking
  • Aggressive driving
  • Inadequate infrastructure, such as missing crosswalks, faded road markings, or poorly designed intersections.

What Steps Should I Take If I Am Struck By a Car While Walking?

The actions you take after being hit by a vehicle can strengthen your ability to pursue fair compensation and protect your legal rights. Those steps include:

  • Call 911 immediately to request police presence.
  • Seek medical care as soon as possible to identify and treat all injuries.
  • Record details about the collision while they remain fresh.
  • Take photos and/or video of the accident scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and road conditions if you are physically able to do so.
  • Get the other driver’s name, contact details, insurance information, license plate number, and driver’s license number.
  • Get witness contact information (as an objective bystander’s observations can provide critical evidence).
  • Save copies of everything, including police reports, medical bills, prescription receipts, imaging results, and any other accident-related expenses.
  • Do not apologize or make statements about what happened to the driver, insurance companies, or anyone else beyond basic facts.
  • Speak with a pedestrian accident attorney before giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters or accepting a settlement offer.

What Are Common Injuries in Roanoke Pedestrian Accidents?

Pedestrians have no protection against multi-ton vehicles, making these collisions particularly dangerous. Even low-speed crashes can cause serious harm. Common pedestrian injuries include:

  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
  • Road rash and severe lacerations
  • Soft tissue injuries and sprains
  • Dislocated joints
  • Crush injuries
  • Facial injuries and dental damage
  • Bruising and contusions.

How Can I Prove The Person Who Hit Me Is At Fault for the Accident?

Successfully pursuing compensation requires demonstrating that the driver’s negligence caused the collision and your resulting injuries. Strong evidence forms the foundation of any pedestrian accident lawsuit. Types of evidence that can establish fault in pedestrian personal injury claims include:

  • Police reports
  • Medical records documentation of your injuries and treatment
  • Witness testimony
  • Surveillance footage from nearby businesses
  • Photos and videos
  • Accident reconstruction analysis
  • Cell phone records that may reveal whether the driver was texting or talking on the phone.

Can I Receive Compensation for My Roanoke Pedestrian Accident Injuries?

Virginia law allows injured pedestrians to seek compensation for both financial losses and personal suffering when another party’s negligence causes harm. An experienced Roanoke personal injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages from work you missed while recovering
  • Loss of earning capacity due to permanent disabilities
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.

The value of your pedestrian accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of fault, and how effectively your attorney presents the full scope of your losses.

What Happens If I Was Partly Responsible for the Pedestrian Accident?

Virginia follows a contributory negligence law, one of the strictest fault rules in the country. Under this law, if you share even one percent of the blame for the accident, the law may bar you from recovering any compensation.

Insurance companies often try to assign partial fault to pedestrians by claiming they crossed outside a crosswalk, wore dark clothing at night, or stepped into traffic suddenly. These arguments can deprive you of your right to compensation even when a driver was primarily at fault. However, experienced pedestrian accident lawyers know how to counter these tactics.

Does Virginia Have a Time Limit for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim?

Virginia law provides a two-year deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits. So, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit in court. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to pursue compensation.

While two years may seem like plenty of time, waiting too long can harm your case. Consulting with an attorney soon after your accident gives you the best chance to build a strong case and seek the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Roanoke Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near You

Marks & Harrison has advocated for injured individuals and families throughout Virginia since 1911. Our team includes three dedicated research attorneys who assist our trial lawyers in court preparation, as well as investigators who previously worked in law enforcement and insurance claims. Our staff is available on nights and weekends, around the clock, to assist you.

Read what our clients have to say in their testimonials, then contact us today for a free consultation with a Roanoke pedestrian accident lawyer who will fight for the compensation you deserve.