Pedestrian accidents are among the most dangerous types of accidents our Massachusetts personal injury attorneys come across. This is mainly due to the pure vulnerability of those who are on foot. Unlike drivers, who are somewhat protected by their vehicles, airbags, and seatbelts, pedestrians don’t have any protection when struck by vehicles. The force of a collision with a vehicle, even at low speeds, can result in severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and internal damage.
Our car accident lawyers have noticed an increase in pedestrian accidents. This seems to be a alarming trend throughout the country, including Massachusetts. Factors like distracted driving, speeding, poor visibility, and failure to yield contribute to the high risk associated with these accidents.
If you or a loved one have been struck and injured by a vehicle in Massachusetts and have questions, or need further information, feel free to contact our Framingham personal injury lawyers at Mahaney & Pappas, LLP. You can call our office at (508) 879-3500 or contact us here to schedule your free case review and evaluation.
Follow These Tips While Out for a Walk
Pedestrian safety is extremely important, especially with an increase in pedestrian accidents and all the distractions to drivers these days. Here are some precautionary tips to keep you safe while you are out for a walk to avoid accidents with vehicles:
Be Vigilant and Visible
While out for a walk, try to make eye contact with drivers. You shouldn’t assume they see you. Before you cross the street, even if the walk signal lights up, always try to establish eye contact with the driver before crossing.
You should also try to wear brighter color clothing, especially at night or in poor weather. This helps you be more visible to drivers. We have had insurance adjusters try to argue that our clients were wearing dark clothing, which made it hard for their insured driver to see them. They use this to argue contributory negligence and try to minimize any amount of compensation they have to pay.
Always use marked crosswalks when crossing the street. If there are no crosswalks, you should use intersection corners where drivers expect pedestrians to cross.
Be Aware of Your Behavior & Habits
You should always obey the traffic signals when crossing the street. I understand that sometimes we are in a hurry, but you should always wait for the walk signal first. Never jaywalk or cross against lights.
Even if the walk signal lights up, you should still look both ways before crossing. Don’t assume the drivers will stop or are paying attention. This applies even on a one-way street.
While out for a walk, try to avoid distractions. If you look around while out for a walk or drive, there are a lot of people walking while looking down at their phones. You should avoid these distractions specifically when crossing the street. Be alert!
Be Aware of Your Environment & Surroundings
When walking in a parking lot or past driveways, be aware of your surroundings. Many drivers may not expect a pedestrian to be walking in a parking lot or they may have poor visibility when backing out. Keep an eye out for turning vehicles. Even if you are in a crosswalk or have the right of way, cars making a turn may not see you.
We just represented a woman, who was struck by a motor vehicle in a supermarket parking lot in Ashland, Massachusetts. She was walking into the grocery store when a driver turned into the parking lot and struck her. She suffered a broken hip and required surgery. The driver’s response was that she didn’t see her – even though our client was within the crosswalk entering the store.
Night & Poor Weather Conditions
If you are out for a walk in the dark of night or happen to be walking in rainy, foggy weather, you should carry a flashlight. This will alert drivers that there is a pedestrian walking and, hopefully, help them be cautions.
Hopefully, these tips will help keep you safe as a pedestrian. While, regardless of how safe we are, we cannot control the behaviors of others. If you are struck and injured by a motor vehicle, our Massachusetts accident attorneys are always available to help.
An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney is a Critial Ally to Injured Pedestrians
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, having an experienced Massachusetts accident lawyer on your side is essential. A personal injury attorney plays a crucial role in pedestrian accident cases for several reasons.
Getting legal representation as soon as possible increases your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. Pedestrian accidents require thorough investigations, especially since insurance companies will begin examining the crash right away, often looking for ways to minimize or deny your claim. An attorney can gather critical evidence such as surveillance footage, witness statements, accident reports, and medical records—key elements in proving the driver’s fault and preventing insurers from unfairly shifting blame onto you.
Experienced accident lawyers also collaborate with experts. In more complex cases involving serious injuries, an accident reconstructionist may be needed to recreate the scene and establish negligence.
A skilled attorney can accurately assess the value of your claim, ensuring you are compensated not only for economic losses—such as medical expenses and lost wages—but also for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.
Insurance companies often push for quick, low settlements, but a lawyer will negotiate on your behalf to secure fair compensation. They will also protect you from being pressured into accepting an offer that doesn’t reflect the true impact of your injuries.
If insurers deny liability or refuse to offer a reasonable settlement, an experienced attorney will take the necessary legal steps, including filing a Massachusetts personal injury lawsuit and representing you in court.
When you choose our Framingham injury lawyers, we handle all legal and insurance matters so you can focus on your recovery and well-being. You shouldn’t have to worry about paperwork, gathering evidence, or negotiating with insurers—that’s our job.
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