Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Newport News

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in or around Newport News, you may be owed compensation if your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence.

An average of 47 pedestrians are injured in an accident every year in Newport News, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). That is almost one person every week. The attorneys at Ruloff, Swain, Haddad, Morecock, Talbert & Woodward, P.C. are committed to seeking compensation for innocent victims of pedestrian accidents.

Don’t hesitate to contact our skilled accident attorneys today to learn about your rights. The consultation is free and comes with no strings attached.

How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Newport News?

Drivers and pedestrians both have the responsibility to stay alert and follow the rules of the road to prevent accidents. When either party becomes distracted or breaks laws, they increase the risk of causing an accident.

Drivers speeding, failing to stop or yield, and making left-hand turns without looking are some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents. Additionally, alcohol use, both by drivers as well as by pedestrians, plays a large role in pedestrian accidents.

Time of day and weather conditions can also be factors. In Virginia, about 70% of pedestrian fatalities occurred at night when it was dark, according to a report from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Serious Injuries from Pedestrian Crashes in Newport News

Pedestrians generally have no protection from the impact of a large, heavy vehicle, which means their injuries are often very severe. Sometimes the injuries can unfortunately be fatal, which typically occurs in Newport News about three times a year, according to VDOT.

Common injuries from pedestrian crashes include:

Concussions/traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Broken bones
Spinal/nerve damage
Pelvic injuries
Internal injuries and organ damage
Scrapes and bruises
Facial/eye injuries causing loss of vision

Pedestrians who sustain serious injuries typically experience major disruptions to their life. It can impact their ability to work, social or family relationships, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. An experienced attorney can help you pursue compensation for your injuries as well as for the overall impact they have on your life.

What Should I Do After a Newport News Pedestrian Accident?

If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, you should ideally take pictures at the accident scene to be used as evidence. You should also write down names and contact info for the at-fault driver and any witnesses.

Even if your injuries were not severe enough to go to the hospital, see a doctor immediately so you have documentation of your injuries. It’s often the case that injuries don’t appear until well after the accident.

Call an attorney as soon as possible to begin working on your case. It is best to avoid sharing details of your accident on social media or providing a recorded statement to the insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. Anything you say could be used against you in determining who was at fault.

Proving Responsibility for a Pedestrian Accident in Newport News

In order to prove that the driver of the vehicle is responsible for the accident, you must prove that they were negligent. This includes proving the following:

They had a duty to drive safely and follow the laws to protect themselves and others.
They broke a law either accidentally or purposely, or were otherwise careless in their actions.
Your injuries are a direct result of the accident, and not some outside factor.

However, Virginia is one of few states that still follow the doctrine of “contributory negligence.” This means that if the pedestrian was even partly at fault, they may not be owed any compensation at all. For example, if you were looking at your phone or otherwise distracted at the time of the accident, you could be held responsible. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will most likely try to find evidence that you were at fault to avoid compensating you for your injuries.

What Is My Newport News Pedestrian Claim Worth?

The amount of compensation you are owed can vary greatly depending on many factors. In general, you may be able to receive compensation for:

Medical bills
Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
Long term care and rehabilitation
Lost wages
Loss of future earning potential

The first step to seeking compensation for your injuries is having your attorney work with the insurance company of the at-fault driver. If the driver who hit you did not have auto insurance, you may be able to file an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance company. If you contact the insurance company on your own, they may try to get you to settle for the least amount of money possible.

Since recovering from your injuries may take years, and some effects may be lifelong, it is important to take all current and future expenses into consideration in order to receive the full amount of compensation needed to cover these expenses. An experienced attorney can negotiate with the insurance company to help you receive fair compensation.

If your family member was killed in a pedestrian accident, you may also be able to file a Wrongful Death Claim to receive compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of future income, and the pain and suffering of losing a loved one.

Why You Should Contact a Newport News Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Being involved in a pedestrian accident is life-altering and traumatic. Navigating the process of insurance claims and a personal injury case can be daunting. The at-fault driver’s insurance company has attorneys who will try to show they were not responsible to avoid paying compensation. The attorneys at Ruloff, Swain, Haddad, Morecock, Talbert & Woodward, P.C. have vast resources to gather evidence that will strengthen your case and help you pursue the full amount of compensation you are owed.

Our firm has been helping the people of Newport News and surrounding areas for more 30 years. During that time, we have developed a reputation for having excellent customer service and communication with our clients. As a large law firm, we have access to resources that smaller firms do not have, yet we have always made it a priority to focus on the individual needs of each client.