Altoona
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

On This Page

1. Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
2. Pedestrian Rights and Responsibilities
3. Pedestrian Accident Causes
4. Our Attorneys Can Prove Liability for Your Injuries and Damages
5. Pursuing Compensation for Your Blair County Pedestrian Accident
6. Contact Berger and Green Today to Discuss Your Altoona Case

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

August 08, 2022

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, Berger and Green can help you seek compensation for your medical treatment and other damages. Our Altoona personal injury lawyers can prove negligence, calculate your losses, and seek fair recovery with a personal injury claim or lawsuit. 

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Our team has more than 40 years of legal experience serving injury victims. We can assist with pedestrian accident cases involving:

• Cuts, bruising, and lacerations (“road rash”)
• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Spinal injuries 
• Back, neck, and shoulder injuries
• Loss of a limb or body part
• Organ damage and internal bleeding
• Facial injuries
• Hearing or vision loss
• Loss of mobility or paralysis
• Wrongful death

Pedestrian Rights and Responsibilities

Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code outlines laws drivers and pedestrians must follow when driving or crossing the street in Altoona. The law states that:

• Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk
• Drivers may not pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk
• When crossing the street where no crosswalk exists, pedestrians must yield to vehicles
• Pedestrians should look both ways before crossing the street and avoid entering into the path of a moving vehicle
• At intersections equipped with a motorized traffic signal, drivers and pedestrians must obey the traffic control device
• When walking along a road with usable sidewalks, it is illegal for pedestrians to walk along the roadway

Pedestrian Accident Causes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), three major contributors to pedestrian accidents are:

• Alcohol. The CDC reports that nearly half of pedestrian accident fatalities occurring in 2019 involved an intoxicated driver or pedestrian. 
• Speed. High vehicle speeds contribute to both the likelihood and severity of pedestrian accidents.
• Location. Pedestrian accidents occur more frequently in urban areas, away from intersections, and at night. 

Other causes of pedestrian collisions include:

• Distracted driving (texting and driving)
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Failure to stop at a stop light or stop sign
• Improper turns
• Illegal passing
• Illegal lane changes
• Broken or malfunctioning traffic signals
• Obstructed road signs
• Dangerous intersection design
• Vehicle problems, such as defective brakes or tires

Our Attorneys Can Prove Liability for Your Injuries and Damages

If your accident was the fault of someone else, our Altoona pedestrian accident lawyers can prove it. We will work tirelessly to build a robust case showing a negligent driver, roadway owner, or vehicle manufacturer is liable for your damages. We will investigate your accident and gather evidence, which may include:

• Cell phone or surveillance video
• Physical evidence from the crash site
• Testimony from experts, such as crash reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economists
• Medical records
• Police reports
• Eyewitness statements

Once we understand how and why your injuries occurred, we will identify your damages and pursue compensation from the responsible party. Our lawyers and staff will handle every detail, from filing your paperwork to advocating for you during negotiations, leaving you free to focus on your recovery. 

Pursuing Compensation for Your Blair County Pedestrian Accident

Securing fair compensation for your current damages and expected future expenses is essential. The money you receive from a claim or lawsuit will ensure you have the resources to cover your medical treatment and costs of living without straining your family’s finances. 

Our Altoona pedestrian accident attorneys can seek awards for:

• Emergency transportation and medical services
• Surgeries
• Hospitalizations
• Physical therapy 
• Prescription drugs
• Mobility aids and medical devices
• Lost wages
• Reductions in earning capacity
• Physical pain
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Mental and emotional suffering
• Mental health care
• Loss of enjoyment of life

If your loved one suffered a fatal pedestrian accident, we can assist qualifying family members in seeking wrongful death compensation. Wrongful death awards for surviving family members may include compensation for the loss of their loved one’s guidance, support, and care as well as funeral and burial expenses. 

Pennsylvania Insurance Claims

According to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, drivers must have a minimum of $5,000 in medical benefits in addition to an automobile liability insurance policy. Medical benefits pay for a covered individual’s medical treatment, regardless of who caused the collision. Liability coverage pays for injuries and property damages caused by the insured. 

Personal Injury Lawsuits

Most insurance policies cover pedestrian accidents; however, we will take whatever action is necessary to secure the awards you deserve, including pursuing a lawsuit. 

According to Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations, Pa. C.S.A. § 5524, you generally have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death case. If you miss the deadline, the court will likely dismiss your suit. Even if your case does not go to court, an expired statute could result in a reduced or denied insurance settlement. 

Contact Berger and Green Today to Discuss Your Altoona Case

A pedestrian accident can devastate your life, but our team is here to help you get back on track. Our decades of personal injury experience mean we understand the obstacles injury clients face and how to best serve them. We will stand by your side and fight for the money, benefits, and medical care you need. 

Furthermore, we charge nothing up front or out of pocket for our services, and we will not collect a fee unless we win your case. Contact us today to learn more about how our Altoona pedestrian accident lawyers can work for your financial recovery. We can get you started with a free consultation.