Recovering Damages From a Pedestrian Injury in Blackwell, OK
Pedestrian crashes produce catastrophic injuries faced with aggressive defense. The body of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle has no protection. The pedestrian absorbs the crash energy without protection. Defense routinely blames pedestrians. An attorney familiar with these distinctive cases knows how to counter the standard pedestrian blame tactics.
Why Pedestrian Cases Are Distinctive
Catastrophic Injury Patterns
Pedestrians lack vehicle protection.
The body absorbs the full force of the crash.
Even at modest speeds, pedestrian-vehicle crashes produce:
- Leg and pelvic injuries from initial impact
- Head and brain injuries from striking the vehicle or pavement
- Internal injuries from the impact
- Back injuries from various impact dynamics
- Fractures
Catastrophic Injuries at Even Modest Speeds
Speed and pedestrian outcomes are tightly correlated.
Even at urban speeds, crashes produce devastating injuries.
Secondary Impacts
Secondary impacts are common.
Common multi-impact scenarios include:
- First impact with the vehicle
- Impact onto the vehicle hood
- Striking the windshield
- Roof impact
- Being thrown off
- Pavement strike
- Subsequent vehicle contact
Insurance Companies Aggressively Blame Pedestrians
Defense routinely pushes pedestrian fault.
Defense routinely raises:
- Wrong-location defenses
- “They couldn’t see you”
- Yield-failure defenses
- “You were on your phone”
- Impairment defenses
These arguments often have weaknesses.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Driver Failure to Yield
Yield failures generate many pedestrian incidents.
Distracted Driving
Drivers using phones, GPS, or other distractions strike pedestrians.
Drunk and Impaired Drivers
Substance-impaired drivers account for many pedestrian incidents.
Speeding
Drivers exceeding safe speeds drives catastrophic outcomes.
Drivers Backing Up Without Looking
Backing-up incidents cause pedestrian backing crashes.
Left-Turn Crashes
Left-turn pedestrian crashes cause many catastrophic outcomes.
Right-Turn Crashes
Right-turn pedestrian crashes cause many pedestrian incidents.
Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
Traffic control violations cause serious pedestrian crashes.
Inadequate Visibility
Poor visibility conditions including various visibility limitations increase crash risk.
Sidewalk and Crosswalk Issues
Inadequate crosswalk infrastructure can contribute to crashes.
Vehicle Defects
Equipment-related crashes can contribute to pedestrian crashes.
Where Pedestrian Crashes Happen
Intersections
Intersection-related incidents are the most common pedestrian crash location.
Crosswalks
Pedestrians struck in crosswalks, even when pedestrians had right-of-way happen frequently.
Mid-Block Crossings
Non-intersection crashes can be more contested than intersection crashes, but driver duties still apply.
Parking Lots
Parking lot pedestrian crashes are particularly common.
Sidewalks
Vehicles leaving the roadway and striking pedestrians on sidewalks.
School Zones
School zone pedestrian crashes are particularly devastating.
Construction Zones
Pedestrians in construction zones.
Highways
Highway pedestrian crashes generate fatal incidents.
Right-of-Way and Comparative Fault Analysis
Crosswalk Right-of-Way
Pedestrians in marked crosswalks generally have right-of-way.
State law governs specific rules, but pedestrians have priority in crosswalks.
Unmarked Crosswalks
Intersection crossings extend pedestrian protection.
Driver Duty to See Pedestrians
Drivers have a continuing duty to look for pedestrians in all circumstances.
Even Where Pedestrians Are at Fault
Even where pedestrians share some fault, recovery is still typically possible.
Pure comparative fault states allow recovery even when the pedestrian was more at fault than the driver.
Modified comparative states allow recovery within the limits.
Damages in Pedestrian Cases
Compensation in these cases include:
Medical Costs
Pedestrian cases involve significant medical care:
- Trauma center costs
- Surgical care
- Hospital stays
- Critical care costs
- Long-term recovery
- Continuing care
- Adaptive equipment
- Home modifications
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Significant lost wages and diminished earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
Major pain damages.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Significant loss of enjoyment of life.
Mental Health Treatment
Mental health damages.
Disfigurement and Scarring
Permanent disfigurement.
Loss of Consortium
Effects on intimate relationships.
Wrongful Death
Fatal cases, driving wrongful death cases.
Punitive Damages
In cases involving extreme conduct may trigger enhanced damages.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
The Driver
The at-fault driver carries primary liability.
Drivers in Multi-Vehicle Crashes
Various contributing drivers can face liability.
Vehicle and Component Manufacturers
Product defect cases can implicate manufacturers.
Government Entities
Road and infrastructure problems create government liability.
Property Owners
Where property conditions contributed can implicate property owners.
Construction Companies
Construction-related crashes can implicate construction companies for traffic control inadequacies.
Employers
Course-of-employment cases can implicate employers.
Trucking Companies
For pedestrian crashes involving trucks can implicate commercial carriers.
Rideshare and Delivery Platforms
For crashes involving Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, or similar drivers can implicate the relevant platform.
Common Insurance Defenses
“The Pedestrian Was Jaywalking”
Defense’s primary argument.
Defense leverages the pedestrian was crossing improperly.
This defense can be countered through detailed legal analysis.
“The Pedestrian Wasn’t Visible”
Defense argues the pedestrian was hard to see.
Drivers must observe pedestrians despite visibility issues.
“The Pedestrian Was Distracted”
“You weren’t paying attention”. Even if accurate, driver duties continue.
“The Pedestrian Was Impaired”
Impairment defenses. This doesn’t eliminate the driver’s duties.
“The Pedestrian Caused Their Own Injuries”
Sole-fault defenses against pedestrians. The driver’s duty to see pedestrians and operate safely means rare that the pedestrian is entirely at fault.
“Comparative Fault”
Defense pushes shared-fault arguments.
“Pre-Existing Conditions”
Prior medical issues.
Critical Steps After a Pedestrian Accident
Get Immediate Medical Attention
Even when feeling functional, getting evaluated is critical. Internal injuries can develop.
Don’t Move If Seriously Injured
Wait for emergency services when seriously hurt. Trying to move with spine injuries is dangerous.
Stay at the Scene Until Police Arrive
Don’t leave.
Get Driver Information
Document driver identification.
Identify Witnesses
Bystanders, other pedestrians, business employees may be deciding witnesses.
Photograph Everything
The scene, vehicles, your injuries, surroundings.
Document the Crosswalk Status
Where you were in relation to the crosswalk, Pedestrian signal information, whether crosswalks were properly marked.
Get a Police Report
Insist on official documentation.
Don’t Discuss Fault
Leave fault determination to investigators.
Don’t Speak With Insurance Adjusters Without Counsel
Insurance adjusters call quickly. Statements without legal advice create problematic admissions.
Special Considerations for Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Cases
Hit-and-run pedestrian crashes present specific challenges.
For pedestrians who don’t own a vehicle, household auto policies may apply.
Special Considerations for Children
Child pedestrian victims involve distinct issues:
- Children typically aren’t held to the same fault standard
- Lifetime damages
- Lifelong development impact
Attorney Costs
Lawyers experienced with pedestrian crashes earn fees only on recovery. Specialty expertise costs advanced by the firm.
Move Quickly
Pedestrian accident cases require prompt action.
Video recordings requires prompt preservation.
Independent observations fade quickly.
Electronic vehicle records may be lost.
Scene conditions can change.
Filing deadlines continues running.
Getting an attorney involved promptly triggers preservation steps.