Denver may be a great place to walk around, but when Denver pedestrian accidents occur, they can leave victims with severe injuries. When you are hurt in a pedestrian accident, your serious injuries may have permanent, life-altering effects. You’ll likely be saddled with numerous medical bills and be unable to work until you heal, costing you lost wages.
If you were hit by a car, choose the Denver pedestrian accident lawyers at Ganderton Law LLC to help you with your pedestrian accident case. We are committed to helping every pedestrian accident victim get the fair compensation they deserve in pedestrian accident cases. Contact us to sit down for a free consultation with a Denver pedestrian accident attorney from our law firm.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Denver Pedestrian Accidents?
The Colorado pedestrian accident statistics are alarming because the Colorado Department of Transportation has stated that the rate of pedestrian fatalities was at a record high in 2023. According to these recent statistics, pedestrian deaths accounted for over 18% of the total roadway deaths in the entire state.
Even more concerning, 70% of the pedestrian fatalities occur at night. Most pedestrian accidents are due to driver negligence. In motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians, drivers disregard traffic laws by speeding or failing to stop at a traffic signal or stop sign. Those drivers might fail to obey the speed limit and carry out other reckless driving maneuvers.
Distracted driving is also the reason for many pedestrian accidents. Some pedestrian accidents happen because of drivers texting on their phones, rummaging for items, engaging with their passengers, eating, and other behaviors that take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or minds off the task of driving. They may be too preoccupied to even notice traffic signals.
Many drivers are cited for their failure to yield at a crosswalk or red lights. Even though the police often step up patrols around intersections to make sure every motorist pays attention, it isn’t always enough to protect those who travel from the sidewalk through the crosswalk.
Some drivers may be under the influence of alcohol, or they may be drowsy. Regardless of the cause, a driver’s negligent actions can cause severe or fatal injuries in pedestrian accidents.
If you were hurt in a recent pedestrian accident, do not wait to speak with a Denver personal injury lawyer about filing a personal injury lawsuit. Our Colorado pedestrian accident lawyers will fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
What Injuries Are Most Common in a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Those walking around Denver are often left with horrific injuries in a pedestrian accident. The most common pedestrian injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Catastrophic injuries
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
In traffic accidents, a pedestrian accident is perhaps the most traumatic. Pedestrian accident injuries tend to be severe because there is nothing to protect those walking from the impact of a vehicle. Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer from Ganderton Law, LLC to get help with pedestrian accident claims.
The Importance of Hiring Denver Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
If you were in a pedestrian accident in Denver, it is imperative that you speak with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney from our legal team. Pedestrian accident attorneys know how to handle this type of personal injury claim.
A pedestrian accident can be similar to a car accident in that dealing with the insurance company is often a hassle. In pedestrian accidents, the injured pedestrian may face blame from the responsible party. The driver’s insurance company may try to claim that you weren’t at a pedestrian crossing or find another way to reduce your financial compensation.
Insurance companies are focused on their profits and the adjusters you speak with at the insurance company will ask leading questions. The tactics used by insurance companies are designed to make you feel as though they care about you and your injuries. However, this ploy by insurance carriers is to reduce your payout or even deny your claim for the car accident.
A Colorado personal injury lawyer is a huge asset in this type of motor vehicle accident. Colorado law limits the amount of time you have to file your personal injury case to recover your medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages caused by a driver’s negligence. In order to claim compensation, you must file your personal injury case for your pedestrian accident before the time limit runs out.
After a pedestrian accident, you can count on Ganderton Law LLC to provide you with the personal attention you deserve and support you every step of the way in the legal process. Set up a free consultation today with our Denver pedestrian accident attorneys.
Important Steps You Must Take as a Pedestrian Injured in a Serious Accident
In order to claim maximum compensation from the insurance provider of the negligent driver, you must protect your legal rights. Many pedestrians who are hurt often think that the insurance provider will be on their side.
Unfortunately, this is not usually the case. Here are the steps you need to take after getting hit by a car:
Move to a Safe Spot and Call the Police
If you are able to do so, remove yourself from any immediate danger and get out of the road. It is imperative that you also call the police to report what happened. Most likely, other people who witnessed the accident will call law enforcement on your behalf before you can do it yourself.
When the police come to the scene of an accident, they eventually create and file police reports. This is vital evidence that can be used in your case. Responding officers in these types of accidents often issue citations to negligent drivers, which can also provide evidence to back up your claim.
Get Prompt Medical Treatment
Unfortunately for most pedestrians, their injuries will most likely be serious. It is critical that you get the medical care that you need. If you can still get up and walk around, do not assume that you are fine. You should go to the hospital to have tests conducted that can detect traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and other major injuries.
Many injuries can become life threatening when they are left untreated. Additionally, if you delay the need for medical attention, the insurer may deny your claim because they can argue that it happened after the event.
Get Evidence
Use your phone to take photos and videos at the accident scene to document what happened. Get pictures of your injuries before going to the hospital and of the car that hit you. You want to make sure you show the vehicle manufacturer in the photos if the driver tries to flee the scene.
A driver is required to stop if they are involved in an accident. They should exchange contact information and insurance information with you. It is also a good idea to get the contact information of any witnesses as they can provide additional details about the accident.
Keep a Journal
Journals, whether hand-written, typed, or in the form of voice recordings, can help you after a pedestrian accident. In the moments following this tragic event, make a voice recording on your phone of everything you remember before the accident, during, and immediately afterward. Your memory of key details will eventually fade, and you will want to record anything that may be helpful.
Journals can also assist you after you have gone to the hospital to document your recovery. They are vital to show how your injuries impact your daily life and can help your attorney prove your need for compensation that includes pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other non-economic damages.
Discuss Your Pedestrian Accident with an Attorney
If you were in a pedestrian accident, you should never assume that it will be easy to recover compensation. There are tactics used by the insurer to lower or deny these claims. Many victims of these accidents often take the first check offered to them because they are relieved to get a quick resolution.
Rest assured, the insurers are hoping you’ll take the quick settlement because the first offer will not be enough to cover the full extent of your damages. Once you sign the release and accept the check, you are barred from seeking additional compensation for the accident.
It is imperative that you learn more about your legal rights and what your case is truly worth. Without this knowledge, you may accept the check before realizing that it barely covers your expenses from your hospital stay or surgery. It won’t cover your lost income, and it certainly won’t compensate you for the emotional trauma you have endured as a result of someone else’s negligent driving. For the personal attention you deserve, contact our attorneys at Ganderton Law LLC to get started.
