Little Rock Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Skilled Pedestrian Accident Attorneys In Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock Pedestrian Accident AttorneyWhile it is something we seldom hear about, pedestrian accidents are on the rise nationwide. The National Center for Health Statistics has reported that in the year 2019 alone, 7,668 pedestrians died in accidents in the United States. The majority of these accidents happen in urban settings where many motor vehicles and foot travelers converge at any given time. Unfortunately, even in a relatively minor accident, a pedestrian is extremely vulnerable to serious injuries and even fatality when hit by a motor vehicle. If you have suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident in AR, you may be entitled to recover compensation from the at-fault driver. Contact the experienced Little Rock pedestrian accident lawyers at Pfeifer Law Firm. For more than a decade, we have defended the rights of accident victims in and around Little Rock. You should not face this alone. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

The Vulnerability Of The Pedestrian In An Accident

The city of Little Rock has recognized that it has a problem with pedestrian safety. While we are rated a highly walkable city, we were rated by Smart Growth America as the 14th most dangerous metropolitan area in the country for pedestrians. This is especially true when pedestrians must navigate the same streets as negligent drivers.

When a motor vehicle comes in contact with a pedestrian, the lack of protection makes the pedestrian far more vulnerable to serious and often life-threatening injuries. While the pedestrian is smaller and less visible than others on the road, it leaves them uniquely at risk, especially in cases of driver negligence.

Pedestrian accidents can result in:

  • Head injuries, concussions, and other traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Serious fractures
  • Crush injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Internal bleeding
  • Internal organ damage
  • Burns and scarring
  • Disfigurement
  • Paralysis
  • Amputation
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Wrongful death

A pedestrian will come away from even a minor accident with significant injuries, extensive medical costs, and often, long-term disabilities that can affect them for the rest of their lives. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, the experienced Little Rock pedestrian accident lawyers at Pfeifer Law Firm will diligently represent your right to compensation for the costs of your injuries and other damages so you can heal.

Common Accidents That Lead To Pedestrian Injuries

Because pedestrians must share the road with motor traffic, they both share a duty of care toward the other. Unfortunately, many pedestrian accidents are caused by driver negligence.

Common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

  • Speeding drivers
  • Distracted drivers
  • Drunk driving
  • Failure to yield
  • Unsafe left-hand turns
  • Vehicles too close to the sidewalk
  • Backing up accidents
  • Distracted pedestrians
  • Jaywalking

While an injured pedestrian may seek accident benefits through their own health insurance or PIP coverage, they may also file an injury claim with the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy.

How Is Fault Determined In A Pedestrian Accident?

A police officer will typically investigate the scene of the accident, collect evidence, interview witnesses and give an opinion of fault at that time. But the police’s opinion is not the final word, and a more detailed investigation is often needed to understand what happened and who was at fault.

The driver’s insurance company will do their own investigation of the accident and from that will determine what kind of settlement they are willing to offer to the injured party. But insurance companies are always looking to mitigate their own financial exposure in an insurance claim. This means that the first settlement offer will typically not be the best one available to an accident victim, even if the driver is found at fault.

There are times when both driver and pedestrian share responsibility for an accident. In this case, the fault may be shared under Arkansas’ modified comparative fault laws. If the pedestrian is less than 50 percent at fault for the accident, they still may be entitled to some compensation by the driver depending on their share of the fault.

Fault in a Little Rock pedestrian accident depends on factors like traffic signals, crosswalk use, speeding, distracted driving, and whether the driver failed to yield. Many pedestrian accidents occur near downtown Little Rock, River Market areas, school zones, and high-traffic intersections throughout Pulaski County. Even if a pedestrian shares some fault, Arkansas comparative negligence laws may still allow financial recovery.

Yes, injured pedestrians in Little Rock and surrounding Central Arkansas communities may still recover compensation even if they were not inside a marked crosswalk. Drivers still have a legal duty to remain alert and avoid collisions whenever possible. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to pedestrians, which is why local accident investigations are critical.

The value of a pedestrian accident case in Little Rock depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost income, future treatment needs, and how the injuries impact daily life. Serious pedestrian crashes near areas like Chenal Parkway, Rodney Parham Road, and downtown Little Rock often involve significant damages because pedestrians have little physical protection. An attorney can evaluate both financial and personal losses when pursuing compensation.

Arkansas law generally gives injured pedestrians three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Whether the accident happened in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton, Conway, or elsewhere in Central Arkansas, waiting too long can hurt your ability to gather evidence and build a strong claim. Speaking with a lawyer early can help preserve witness testimony and surveillance footage.

Pedestrian accident victims in Little Rock may recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation expenses, pain and suffering, and future medical treatment. Severe pedestrian accidents on roads like Markham Street, Broadway, and Highway 10 can lead to life-changing injuries requiring long-term care. In fatal accidents, surviving family members may also pursue wrongful death compensation.

Pedestrian accidents often cause catastrophic injuries because pedestrians have no protection against the force of a vehicle collision. In Little Rock and surrounding Arkansas communities, common pedestrian accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal injuries. Even accidents occurring at lower speeds in parking lots or intersections can lead to permanent complications.

Insurance companies often contact injured pedestrians shortly after accidents in Little Rock and Pulaski County to request recorded statements or quick settlements. It is usually best to avoid speaking in detail before consulting an attorney because insurers may use statements to reduce or deny claims. A pedestrian accident lawyer can handle negotiations and communications with the insurance company for you.

Getting Critical Legal Representation

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is in your best interest to get the representation of the skilled Little Rock pedestrian accident lawyers at Pfeifer Law Firm. We will do a thorough independent investigation of the accident and conduct an extensive valuation of what your injury claim is worth. We will then negotiate a settlement offer that is a fair one, not just the settlement that the insurance company is willing to offer. If a fair settlement cannot be negotiated, we will file a lawsuit and pursue the matter in court.

The experienced Little Rock pedestrian accident lawyer at Pfeifer Law Firm has represented the rights of accident victims for over a decade. Our team of talented lawyers fight for fair compensation from negligent parties so our clients can recover and go on with their lives. Contact our Little Rock personal injury attorney or through our online contact page to schedule a no-cost consultation.