Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you were hit by a car in North Carolina, you may have the right to file a claim against the responsible driver. Other parties can be found liable for pedestrian accidents, such as towns or cities that fail to maintain functional traffic lights. Filing a lawsuit can help you recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and other financial hardships that you suffered from your accident. Equipped with over 50 years of combined experience, the pedestrian accident injury attorneys at Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, PA are ready to help you explore your legal options and fight for maximum compensation.

Our pedestrian accident attorneys bring great knowledge to every injury claim we handle. We know what your rights are under the law, and we are prepared to work tirelessly to prove fault for your injuries. We will compile evidence, handle legal deadlines, enforce your rights, protect you against the tactics used by insurance companies, and work to recover as much compensation as possible for your injuries. For a free legal consultation on a pedestrian injury or fatality case, contact Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, PA online today, or call our law offices at (704) 377-3737.

North Carolina Pedestrian Injury and Death Statistics

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that over 110,000 pedestrians are injured each year in the United States. Sadly, about 60,000 people will die as a result of their injuries. Those most at risk are children and people of legal age. Almost half of the deaths that occur as a result of pedestrian accidents occurred between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM when children typically return from school.

Here are some statistics on pedestrian accidents in North Carolina, taken from the North Carolina 2016 Traffic Crash Facts report from the Department of Transportation Vehicles (DMV).

• More than 2,000 pedestrians suffered nonfatal injuries in accidents that year, while about 200 pedestrians lost their lives.
• About 9% of all crashes involving vehicles and pedestrians resulted in pedestrian fatalities.
• Most cities reported fewer than 10 pedestrian crashes or fatalities, many reported zero accidents. However, Charlotte reported 382 pedestrian accidents, 408 pedestrian injuries, and 38 pedestrian fatalities.

Can You Sue If You Are Hit By A Car?

Cars, trucks, cyclists, and pedestrians have to interact and share space on the roads. Unfortunately, not everyone understands or follows the rules of the road that determine the right-of-way at junctions, traffic lights, or stop signs. For this reason, accidents that result in catastrophic injury or wrongful death occur every day on our nation’s highways, and often at junctions and intersections.

If you have been hit by a car in Charlotte, you may have a claim against the driver who hit you. However, you must prove (1) that the driver was negligent, and (2) that the driver’s negligence caused the accident. Your attorney will collect the evidence that supports your claim and proves that the driver was at fault, such as medical records, photos of the accident, witness testimony, and other information.

The very nature of the circumstances – a collision between a 3,000-pound car and an unprotected pedestrian – suggests that the driver will ultimately be liable for the accident. However, pedestrians must also adhere to traffic laws and be aware of the traffic around them. Under North Carolina’s contributory negligence doctrine, a pedestrian will not be able to recover compensation if their actions contributed to the accident. Due to these strict rules, you must be represented by a skilled attorney to file a North Carolina pedestrian accident claim.

Pedestrian Accident Liability in North Carolina

Generally, pedestrians in Charlotte have the right of way, unless they are crossing a road not designated for crosswalking. If a child ran onto the road, and there was a school playground, the driver may have been on the lookout for children in the area. This can be used to show that the driver did not take the necessary steps to prevent the accident.

Drivers are generally responsible for pedestrian accidents. However, a third party could be liable, depending on the circumstances. For example, if a crossing signal or traffic light failed, it is possible to hold the municipality responsible for not acting to repair them. It doesn’t matter if the accident was caused by a car, driver error, or faulty traffic light, it is possible to recover compensation for your lost income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

At Dewey Ramsay & Hunt, PA, we have years of experience handling all types of personal injury claims on behalf of injured pedestrians. Our attorneys represent pedestrians injured by drivers who failed to:

• Come to a complete stop at a stop sign
• Stop at a junction
• Stop at a red light
• Yield the right of way
• Speeding on neighborhood roads

To learn more about your legal options for filing a claim or lawsuit against a negligent driver, contact us online, or call Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt PA today at (704) 377-3737 for a free consultation.