Denver, CO Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Fighting for the Rights of the Injured

Denver is a beautiful city to explore on foot, with a historic downtown and walking tours offered on various themes. Other residents and visitors enjoy getting outside on a daily basis just to get some fresh air and spend time outdoors. It seems like it should be a safe and fun activity, but according to AAA, pedestrian accident statistics in Colorado have shown a significant increase in the number of incidents in recent years, with the majority of these accidents occurring in urban areas, especially after dark. Unfortunately, this increase in pedestrian accidents caused by motor vehicle drivers is a trend seen across the U.S. in recent years, leading to an increase in pedestrian fatalities.

The Denver pedestrian accident attorneys at Genco Injury Attorneys are here to help if you have been injured by a negligent driver while walking along the beautiful roads of Colorado. We understand that injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident can be devastating to you and your family. You deserve to receive fair compensation so you can get your life back. Contact us today at 303-500-1376 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Denver pedestrian accident attorneys.

How Do Pedestrian Accidents Occur?

Theoretically, a pedestrian should be safe while walking on a country road or through a city as long as they follow posted signs and rules, stay aware of their surroundings, and make themselves as visible as possible by wearing high-visibility clothing. Unfortunately, even the most attentive and safe walkers could become victims of a pedestrian accident with serious injuries. Even a parking lot can become an accident scene if drivers are not paying attention. With the rise of quieter electric vehicles, it can be harder to hear a car approaching, and many drivers fail to notice pedestrians until it is too late. Other causes of motor vehicle-related pedestrian accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Driving too fast through areas with high pedestrian density, such as school zones, parking lots, and residential neighborhoods
• Failure to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks
• Turning at an intersection without looking both ways
• Driving a vehicle at an inappropriate speed, which prevents pedestrians from stopping in time
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Turn onto the sidewalks
• Failure to obey traffic laws
• Texting or talking on the phone while driving
• Driving while fatigued
• Failure to stop at traffic control signals or stop signs
• Backing into a parking lot without checking for pedestrians

How Is Fault Determined in a Pedestrian Accident?

Determining fault in pedestrian accidents can be more complex than in traffic accidents because of all the factors involved. Sometimes, pedestrian accidents are not always the fault of a vehicle’s driver. Sometimes, the pedestrian might have acted unsafely, such as crossing in places that are not permitted. But other factors could lead to pedestrian accident cases. For example, crosswalks may be poorly designed or placed in non-optimal locations, leading to accidents. A motor vehicle involved in an accident may have manufacturing defects, such as brake failure or a stuck gas pedal that can cause serious injuries or even pedestrian deaths. There can also be non-vehicular causes of pedestrian accidents, such as poorly maintained sidewalks or debris from construction sites. Our experienced Colorado pedestrian accident attorneys will investigate every aspect of the incident to determine liability and build the strongest case possible to recover compensation for your injuries.

What Should You Do If You Have Suffered a Pedestrian Accident Injury?

You expect to be safe while walking on a sidewalk, in a parking lot, or along a road, but pedestrian accidents happen in the blink of an eye. Once the accident has occurred, what should you do? As with any type of accident, if you or someone at the scene is seriously injured, call 911 immediately. If you have suffered spinal or head injuries, you should stay where you are and not move until emergency services arrive. Moving a person with a spinal injury can make the damage worse and may lead to paralysis. The accident should be reported to the police. Officers will arrive on the scene to handle the situation, interview everyone involved, and make their report. This report is vital to your insurance claim because it gives a third-party opinion about the accident and how it happened, based on their trained observations. Make sure you know how to obtain this report once it is completed. Remember not to tell the police or anyone at the scene that you are not injured or argue about fault for the accident because these statements could be used against you later by the insurance company. It is a good idea to contact a trusted Denver pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident and before you have to speak with the driver’s insurance company. Your attorney can deal with the insurance company on your behalf and make sure you are not pressured into accepting a settlement that does not fully cover all of your financial losses. Your attorney can also begin investigating your pedestrian accident claim while the evidence and accident scene are still fresh, which can benefit your case.

Do You Need to Seek Medical Attention After a Pedestrian Accident?

An immediate medical evaluation is critical even if you feel like you only have minor injuries after your pedestrian accident. You could be seriously injured and not realize it because of the adrenaline present in your body after the accident. Neck and back injuries are particularly notorious for getting worse over time. If you don’t have medical records of an evaluation of your injuries after your accident and you file a pedestrian accident claim, it can be much harder to win your case. The defendant and their insurance company may argue that you weren’t seriously injured because you didn’t seek immediate care. Once you’ve been seen by a doctor, be sure to keep any scheduled appointments and follow their treatment instructions closely. Failing to do so can give an insurance company room to claim that you didn’t do everything you could to get better. If you feel sudden symptoms such as increasing pain, painful headaches, numbness or tingling, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting in the days or weeks after the accident, seek immediate medical attention because these could be delayed signs of serious injuries.

What Injuries Can a Pedestrian Accident Cause?

Although pedestrian accidents can be caused by unsafe walking surfaces or other vehicles such as bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, and more, the majority of pedestrian accidents involve cars or trucks. The body is not designed to withstand the impact of a motor vehicle. When a pedestrian accident occurs, the consequences can be devastating to the victim, both mentally and physically. Some of the most common injuries sustained by pedestrian accident victims include:

• Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal injuries and paralysis
• Broken or fractured bones
• Cuts and bruises
• Organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Pelvic injuries
• Facial and dental injuries, including eye injuries, vision loss and jaw damage
• Crushed or amputated limbs
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression
• Wrongful death

What Compensation Is Available for Pedestrian Accident Victims?

The two main categories of compensation your pedestrian accident attorney can secure for you are economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover monetary losses the victim has had or can expect to have due to the accident. Your attorney will typically show these losses through bills, pay stubs, or other tangible evidence. Economic damages can include:

• Medical Expenses: Covers emergency room visits, hospital care, surgeries, medications, doctor appointments, rehabilitation appointments, and other medical expenses resulting from the accident.
• Lost Wages: The wages the victim lost between the time of the accident and the conclusion of the claim.
• Loss of earning capacity: If permanent injuries or disabilities occur, the victim can show that his or her ability to earn money has been negatively affected. Compensation is calculated based on what the victim could have earned if the accident had not occurred.

Non-economic damages are less tangible and may include:

• Pain and Suffering: When calculating this compensation, the type of injury, the amount of pain caused, and how long the victim is expected to continue suffering are considered.
• Mental anguish: Accidents can cause emotional distress, such as pain, depression, anxiety, and more, and the court may compensate a victim for these experiences.
• Loss of Consortium: In an accident where someone has died or been permanently disabled, this type of compensation may be awarded to a spouse, parents, and/or minor children of the victim.

Additionally, punitive damages may be awarded in the rare case that the defendant’s actions that caused the accident are deemed malicious, intentional, or reckless. Punitive damages punish the wrongdoer and are supposed to deter others from committing similar actions in the future.

Why Should You Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

If you or a loved one has been harmed in a pedestrian accident, you are likely facing a long road to recovery, with large medical bills. You should be able to focus on healing and spending time with your family, not negotiating with an insurance company about whether they will accept your claim. Our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys at Genco Injury Attorneys can make the claims process much easier for you. We will work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a pedestrian accident attorney who is ready to help you: 303-500-1376.