Serious pedestrian accidents happen every day. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 'pedestrian accidents' make up the second largest category of 'deaths due to motor vehicles,' accounting for about 15 percent of such deaths. Any time a motor vehicle collides with a pedestrian, it is the vulnerable pedestrian who is going to suffer the injury. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable—and they are the most frequently injured pedestrians.

In addition to motor vehicle-related accidents, some pedestrians are hurt or killed in scenarios such as at train crossings, near construction sites, or when walking or jogging on poorly maintained walkways or other terrain.

Gacovino, Lake & Associates Represents Injured Pedestrians

Each year in the U.S., roughly 75,000 people are hurt in pedestrian accidents. Many thousands of victims suffer debilitating injuries that will impact their lives forever. In addition to physical and emotional damages, victims and their families face financial losses, including huge medical bills for treatment and rehabilitation, and a significant loss of income. The personal injury lawyers at Gacovino, Lake & Associates have successfully represented hundreds of individuals and families hurt by pedestrian accidents, securing full and fair compensation for their losses.

Even if the injured pedestrian is partly responsible for his or her accident—for example, by stepping into traffic from an unsafe location, ignoring pedestrian signs, or being under the influence of alcohol—he or she may still be eligible for compensation. The driver of the vehicle involved in the accident, plus the insurance company providing coverage for the vehicle, may also bear significant liability. The same is true for non-vehicle-related pedestrian accidents; a property owner, construction company, or train company may be held liable for the injuries or fatality.

Many Pedestrian Accident Scenarios

Pedestrian accidents happen in hundreds of ways. Here are a few of the more common causes of motor vehicle-related pedestrian injuries and fatalities—the driver:

• Doesn’t signal before turning
• Doesn’t yield the right of way to a pedestrian
• Is driving "distracted" (e.g., using a cell phone, eating, pet in his/her lap)
• Is driving too fast for the weather or road conditions
• Is operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (or drugs)
• Is speeding
• Runs a stop light or stop sign

Unfortunately, hit-and-runs are the basis of many pedestrian accidents—a negligent driver leaves the scene of the accident, often without stopping at all. In very few cases, the responsible driver does not realize that he or she has hit someone.

Discuss Your Pedestrian Accident

No matter what the circumstances of the pedestrian accident, the injured individual (or surviving family of the deceased) needs legal counsel and representation to protect their rights. For information about your specific case, contact the law offices of Gacovino, Lake & Associates. We will evaluate the details of your unique circumstances to ensure you recover the full amount of compensation you are entitled to.

• Airplane Accidents
• ATV Accidents
• Automobile Accidents
• Bus Accidents
• Drunk Driving
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• SUV Rollovers
• Tractor-Trailer Accidents
• Train Accidents

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