If you are among the many Auburn residents who takes to the streets of our lovely city by foot, you are unwittingly putting yourself at serious risk with every step. We are all pedestrians at some point. We walk the same streets, whether by choice or necessity, and we expose ourselves to the same perils—mainly in the form of oncoming and passing traffic. While most strolls through Auburn go off without a hitch, anytime that you are within such close proximity to moving traffic, you put yourself at risk. If you have been injured as a pedestrian in Auburn, you have legal recourse available. Our Auburn pedestrian accident attorney can help.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration tells us that there are more than 75,000 accidents each year involving pedestrians on foot. The biggest contributors to these types of accidents include:
In most cases, the driver of a passenger vehicle causes the pedestrian accident, but this is not always the case. Pedestrians are also affected by the conditions of the walkways on which they tread. For example, a pedestrian may trip and fall due to uneven pavement or broken sidewalks. Debris in the pathway of the pedestrian may lead to a pedestrian accident. In cases like this, the pedestrian may be able to file a claim against the entity whose job it is to maintain the stretch of pavement where the accident occurred. Oftentimes, this is a local or state agency such as a road department. Pedestrians in Auburn often stick to the sidewalk, and many traverse the city on its marked paths for bicyclists and pedestrians. These shared use paths can be a bit safer than walking on the shoulder of the roadway, but they are still subject to the same potential risks you’d experience on the sidewalk.
While some pedestrian accidents are minor, many are quite significant and leave the injured party reeling in the aftermath, nursing injuries that may follow them for the rest of their lives. Soft-tissue injuries, fractures, open wounds, spinal and head injuries, and traumatic brain injuries are not uncommon in pedestrian-versus-vehicle accidents. Depending on the nature of your injuries and the specifics of your case, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for:
If your injuries result in permanent disability or impairment or if you are left with significant scarring or disfigurement, your award may be greatly enhanced.
Because of the complicated nuances involved in proving liability in a pedestrian accident case, it is important to seek out effective representation as soon as possible following your injury. Our Auburn pedestrian accident attorney has a long history of helping accident victims recover their expenses and rebuild their lives post-accident and hold the responsible party accountable for their injuries. Contact our office now to schedule your no-cost case review.
