There are several reforms have been made to guarantee pedestrian safety. These include sidewalks, zebra crossings, and raised crosswalks. Despite these numerous reforms, pedestrian accidents are among the leading causes of ER visits, largely because they involve physical harm.
In some instances, pedestrian accidents can result in the victim’s death. Victims may also suffer from broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries. Injuries caused by pedestrian accidents can have a long-lasting impact on the victim’s quality of life.
Pedestrian Laws in North Carolina
According to North Carolina traffic laws, a pedestrian should:
- Walk on the sidewalks on the left side of the road so that they can see oncoming vehicles
- Only cross the road on marked crosswalks
- If the pedestrian chooses to cross the road at any other point apart from a marked crossroad, they are supposed to give right of way to an oncoming vehicle
- Should obey all traffic signals and lights
- Follow all traffic laws since these laws are in place for their protection as well as other drivers’ safety
When a pedestrian accident happens, the responsibility of who is at fault depends on what happened during the accident. A pedestrian accident can be caused by a motorist’s negligence, such as failing to yield to a pedestrian in a turn lane. A pedestrian may be liable if they are not observing proper traffic laws. This is especially true if they are intoxicated or using drugs while crossing the road. In some cases, pedestrians may cross the road at an incorrect location, which can lead to an accident.
GET A RESPONSE Fast
We communicate via chat, email, and text to get you a response fast.
What are the Damages of a Pedestrian Accident?
The pedestrian’s damages from an accident depend on the severity of the accident and whether they are any injuries. These damages can include:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Income
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Disfigurement or permanent disfigurement
- Loss of consortium (loss of companionship)
- Loss in lifestyle (loss of home and possessions)
- Loss in property Value (financial loss due to property damage)
- Attorneys’ fees are the legal fees paid by the at-fault party’s insurance company to defend against a claim that the pedestrian makes
- Punitive damages
Many Factors Can Affect These Damages.
Many factors can affect these damages. Some of these factors include the pedestrian’s age, physical condition, how long they were injured, how severe their injuries were, whether they lost a limb, and other things. Most people seriously injured in a pedestrian accident will settle with their insurance company for a lump sum payment to cover their damages. The amount of money they receive will depend on the injury’s severity and the insurance company’s policy. The average settlement amount is around $300,000.00 for minor injuries and around $500,000 for major injuries.
Free Case Evaluation
If you or your loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in North Carolina and its environs, contact Ambrisono Law for any inquiries, filing of cases, or claiming of compensation from insurance companies. At Ambrisono Law, we are here to help you. We are here to advocate for you in every step of the process and make sure that you are compensated for the losses and damages that you have suffered.