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Pedestrian accidents leave victims with catastrophic injuries in Altus, OK—because pedestrians have no protection from impact with a vehicle. When a driver hits a pedestrian, the consequences are typically severe or fatal. McKay Law advocates for pedestrian accident victims throughout OK. Pedestrian wrecks are often caused by distracted driving (especially phone use), drunk and drugged driving, speeding, failure to yield at crosswalks, drivers turning without checking for pedestrians, backing accidents, fatigued driving, and drivers failing to see pedestrians at night. Particularly dangerous scenarios include crosswalk collisions, intersection turns, parking lot incidents, and nighttime crashes. Children and elderly pedestrians are especially vulnerable—children may not appreciate vehicle dangers, while older adults walk slower and have greater injury susceptibility. Our Altus pedestrian crash lawyers act quickly to secure proof—traffic camera and surveillance footage, witness statements, accident reconstruction, police reports, dashcam evidence, vehicle event data recorders, and area lighting conditions. Liable parties may include the at-fault driver, their employer if driving for work, government entities for dangerous road conditions or signal malfunctions, and bars or restaurants under dram shop laws in DWI cases. Victims often suffer catastrophic injuries with lifelong consequences—often among the most severe in personal injury law. Even low-speed pedestrian crashes can cause severe injuries—a pedestrian hit at 30 mph faces an extremely high fatality risk. We fight for every dollar including economic and non-economic losses, plus punitive damages where warranted. Adjusters frequently push contributory negligence arguments—we counter with traffic analysis, video, witness testimony, and reconstruction. Even if you were partially at fault, recovery is often still possible—drivers still have a duty to watch for and avoid pedestrians. All pedestrian crash claims is handled on a no-win, no-fee basis—no fees unless we recover. Call McKay Law now for a no-cost case review with a Altus, OK pedestrian injury attorney who will fight for the full recovery you deserve.
Pedestrians have no protection. When a pedestrian is struck, the injuries are typically severe. Without any protection, pedestrians frequently suffer fatal injuries. Pedestrian fatalities have surged in recent years, because of distraction, vehicle size, and speed. Wherever you were struck, the law protects your right to recovery. Our firm fights for pedestrian accident victims in Altus and in surrounding communities.
Pedestrian accidents typically produce catastrophic injuries because pedestrians have no protection from the impact:
Pedestrians have right of way in many situations:
Pedestrian comparative fault doesn’t bar recovery (Okla. Stat. tit. 23, § 13). Pedestrians can recover if they’re 50% or less at fault.
Damages in pedestrian cases are usually significant:
These cases have unique aspects:
Kids face particular risk as pedestrians:
Oklahoma generally gives two years from the date of the incident to file (Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95). For children, the deadline may be tolled until age 18. Government cases require notice within one year.
We act fast to lock down video evidence, investigate the driver thoroughly, pull cell phone, BAC, and EDR data, push for UM coverage, examine bar liability when DUI is involved, coordinate with treating providers, build comprehensive damages, and treat each matter as trial-ready.
A: Excellent case potential. Crosswalk strikes typically establish clear driver liability.
A: Nothing upfront. No fee unless we recover.
A: Maybe partly — but you can still recover. Comparative fault doesn’t bar recovery in most cases.
A: Multiple recovery sources available — UM coverage and MedPay.
A: Parents can file claims for minor children.
A: Often, yes. Drunk driving routinely supports punitive damages.
A: File a wrongful death claim.
A: No. Talk to a lawyer first.
A: 2 years from the date of the incident (Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95). Government claims require one-year notice.
Pedestrian accidents combine the most catastrophic injury patterns with the most aggressive insurance defense tactics. Pedestrians have no vehicle structure protecting them. 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.
There’s no protective enclosure for pedestrians.
The pedestrian bears the entire crash energy.
Even at relatively low speeds, impacts cause:
Vehicle speed dramatically affects pedestrian survival.
Even at speeds well below highway speeds, pedestrian crashes produce catastrophic injuries.
Secondary impacts are common.
Typical impact patterns include:
Pedestrian-fault arguments are routine.
Standard defense tactics include:
These defenses can be countered.
Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks are the leading cause of pedestrian crashes.
Distracted drivers cause pedestrian crashes.
Impaired drivers account for many pedestrian incidents.
High-speed driving generates fatal pedestrian crashes.
Backing-up incidents generate distinctive incidents.
Turning-vehicle pedestrian crashes cause many catastrophic outcomes.
Drivers turning right into pedestrians strike pedestrians who are properly in crosswalks.
Traffic control violations endanger pedestrians who have right-of-way.
Limited visibility including various visibility limitations drive crashes.
Crosswalk infrastructure problems drive crashes.
Equipment-related crashes can contribute to pedestrian crashes.
Intersection pedestrian crashes are the most common pedestrian crash location.
Crosswalk pedestrian incidents, despite signal/sign right-of-way for pedestrians happen frequently.
Pedestrians struck mid-block face more contested fault analysis, but driver duties still apply.
Parking lot pedestrian crashes are recurring incidents.
Sidewalk crashes.
School zone pedestrian crashes generate distinctive cases.
Pedestrians in construction zones.
Highway incidents involving pedestrians are particularly dangerous.
Crosswalk pedestrians are protected by right-of-way rules.
State law governs specific rules, but pedestrians have priority in crosswalks.
Many jurisdictions recognize unmarked crosswalks at intersections carry pedestrian right-of-way.
Drivers have a continuing duty to look for pedestrians in all circumstances.
Even where pedestrians share some fault, comparative fault rules typically allow recovery.
Pure comparative fault states allow recovery even when the pedestrian was more at fault than the driver.
Modified comparative fault jurisdictions allow recovery within the limits.
Compensation in these cases include:
Pedestrians typically require extensive medical care:
Substantial wage loss and reduced earning ability.
Substantial pain and suffering damages.
Major quality of life impact.
Psychological consequences.
Permanent disfigurement.
Relationship impacts.
Pedestrian fatalities, driving wrongful death cases.
Egregious conduct cases may trigger enhanced damages.
Primary defendant carries primary liability.
When multiple drivers contributed can face liability.
Equipment-related crashes can implicate manufacturers.
Road and infrastructure problems can implicate government entities.
Property issues affecting the crash can implicate property owners.
For construction zone crashes can implicate construction companies for traffic control inadequacies.
Work-related driving can implicate employers.
Commercial vehicle pedestrian crashes create commercial liability.
Gig delivery and rideshare incidents involve gig company liability.
The most common defense.
Defense leverages the pedestrian was crossing improperly.
Counter requires the legal framework for pedestrian rights.
Defense claims visibility limitations.
Drivers must observe pedestrians despite visibility issues.
“You weren’t paying attention”. Even if accurate, driver duties continue.
Defense raises pedestrian impairment. This doesn’t eliminate driver fault.
“You caused this”. The driver’s continuing duty means complete pedestrian fault is rare.
Defense pushes shared-fault arguments.
Prior medical issues.
Even without obvious severe injuries, same-day medical care matters. Internal injuries can develop.
Wait for emergency services when seriously hurt. Movement with spine injuries can worsen the harm.
Wait for police.
Capture driver information.
Bystanders, other pedestrians, business employees may be deciding witnesses.
Visual evidence of every relevant detail.
Where you were in relation to the crosswalk, Signal status, Crosswalk marking.
Official documentation is essential.
Avoid admitting fault or speculating about cause.
Carriers contact victims promptly. Direct insurer communication can permanently damage the case.
Hit-and-run pedestrian crashes are especially serious.
Pedestrians without their own auto insurance, resident relative auto coverage may apply.
Pediatric pedestrian cases have particular concerns:
Counsel handling these cases earn fees only on recovery. Specialty expertise costs reimbursed from the recovery.
Pedestrian accident cases require prompt action.
Camera evidence requires prompt preservation.
Witness recollections fade quickly.
Vehicle data can be overwritten.
Scene conditions can change.
The legal time limit applies regardless.
Getting an attorney involved promptly positions the case for the substantial recovery these cases support despite aggressive insurance defenses.
Pedestrians have nothing in the way of airbags, no crumple zones, no seatbelts, and no metal frame between themselves and a vehicle — and when a negligent driver strikes someone stepping off the curb, the result is nearly always catastrophic. Crosswalk strikes, drivers turning right on red without checking for foot traffic, distracted motorists veering into bike lanes and sidewalks, drunk drivers veering onto curbs, parking lot incidents, and school zone wrecks involving children leave victims with traumatic brain injuries, fractured spines, broken legs and pelvises, internal organ damage, and lifelong disabilities. Even at relatively low speeds, a vehicle running into a person produces forces the human body can’t take. At McKay Law, we act fast to secure traffic and surveillance footage, dash cam recordings, the at-fault driver’s cell phone records, vehicle black box data, witness statements, and any crosswalk signal timing data that nails down the driver’s failure to yield.
The insurance company on the other side will work to point the finger onto you — alleging you appeared out of nowhere, weren’t using a crosswalk, were wearing dark clothing, or were distracted by your own phone. We won’t tolerate it. When you partner with the McKay Law family, we construct a case that focuses the conversation on the driver’s duty to watch pedestrians and the negligence that caused your injuries. We demand full compensation for emergency airlift and trauma care, surgeries, ICU and prolonged hospitalization, ongoing rehabilitation, future medical needs, prosthetics or mobility aids when amputation is involved, in-home and long-term care, prescription costs, time away from work, reduced future income, the life-altering pain and emotional toll of surviving a impact like this — and in the most devastating cases, the wrongful death of a family member. Phone us now at (866) 679-9651 or connect with us online to book your free consultation and put a firm that fights for pedestrians fighting for you.
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