Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Bridgeport

No Fee Until You Win

If you’ve had a pedestrian accident and were hit by a car or motorcycle while walking, you probably feel overwhelmed at the thought of simply recovering from your injuries. Let the Bridgeport pedestrian accident lawyers at the Carter Mario Law Firm secure the financial compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

The driver’s insurance company will try to get you to settle, and in the chaos after your pedestrian accident, you might consider settling. Insurance companies are in the business of getting you to settle for less. Victims of pedestrian accidents tend to earn three times less when they settle without legal representation.

The pedestrian accident attorneys at Carter Mario Law Firm have worked tirelessly for more than 30 years, winning over one billion dollars in compensation for accident victims. Plus, we work on contingency: No Fee Until You Win. That is our Zero Fee Warranty.

Many pedestrian accident victims aren’t aware of all the legal options they have available to them.

We’ll help you fully understand your legal rights in personal injury law. Contact us today for a free consultation with a pedestrian accident attorney in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Win Due Compensation for Expenses and Financial Losses

When pedestrian accidents happen, the pedestrian victim must contend with many expenses and losses. There are obvious and direct expenses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and the potential of life-altering catastrophic injuries. But there are also hidden costs of traffic accidents, such as the emotional trauma and financial impact of severe injuries on your entire family’s financial future.

When you settle for less with the insurance company, you won’t receive maximum compensation for the traffic accident.

Our expert attorneys help pedestrian victims receive the financial compensation they deserve.

You Only Pay When You Win

Our personal injury law firm operates on a contingency fee basis. That means our clients only pay for our legal services when we win their pedestrian accident cases. There are absolutely no upfront fees.

How Do Pedestrian Accident Claims Work in Bridgeport, CT?

To win a pedestrian accident injury claim, the plaintiff (pedestrian) must establish driver negligence. Every driver has a duty to ensure the safety of pedestrians, and when a driver breaches that duty and causes injuries to a pedestrian as a result, the driver is at fault.

Our Bridgeport accident attorneys focus on gathering case evidence, including accident reports, witness statements, and medical records, to help prove the guilt of the at-fault driver.

If necessary, we negotiate with insurance companies and represent our clients in court to achieve the best possible outcome.

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents in Bridgeport, CT?

Pedestrian accidents are a type of traffic accident that occurs when pedestrians are hit by motor vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Pedestrian accidents often happen under the following circumstances:

Distracted Drivers

Distracted driving, such as using a cell phone behind the wheel, is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. Distracted drivers often fail to notice pedestrians, even in places where they are expected to be, such as crosswalks or intersections.

Unmarked or Poorly Lit Crosswalks

Unmarked or poorly lit crosswalks are a severe hazard for pedestrians. If traffic signs, crosswalks, or intersections are poorly marked or somehow obscured, it can confuse both drivers and pedestrians. This increases the risk of pedestrian accidents.

Impaired Driving

Impaired driving is another common cause of pedestrian crashes. Driving under the influence of any mind-altering substance, like alcohol or drugs, will impact the driver’s ability to operate their motor vehicle safely.

Rolling Stops

Rolling stops occur when drivers do not come to a complete stop at stop signs. Due to street conditions or weather conditions, distracted drivers may not notice pedestrians crossing the street.

Crosswalk Laws in Connecticut

Crosswalk laws in Bridgeport, Connecticut, are designed to protect pedestrians.

Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks, and at intersections without a traffic signal, drivers must slow down or stop to allow pedestrians to cross safely.

Pedestrians, however, also have responsibilities under Connecticut law.

Pedestrians must exercise care and not leave a curb, sidewalk, or other designated place of safety. They are also expected not to walk or run into the path of oncoming traffic, making it so the driver can’t yield.

When a pedestrian accident occurs, the courts must establish fault. However, 100% of the fault doesn’t usually lie with one party. This is where Connecticut’s comparative negligence rule comes into play.

Connecticut’s Comparative Negligence Rule

In Connecticut, pedestrian accident claims are resolved by applying the Comparative Negligence Rule. This legal principle holds that in most accidents, more than one party involved shares some of the responsibility for the accident.

Under the Comparative Negligence Rule, each party’s degree of fault is assessed to determine each party’s liability in such an accident.

In personal injury claims, comparative negligence is a critical factor. It directly influences any compensation an injured pedestrian can recover. Comparative negligence allows for a fair and proportionate distribution of fault.

How Comparative Negligence Affects Pedestrian Accident Claims

If a pedestrian is determined to be partially at fault for the accident by crossing outside of a crosswalk or being distracted while entering the crosswalk, their compensation may be reduced according to their percentage of fault.

If the pedestrian is found to be more than 50% responsible, they are ineligible to receive any compensation under Connecticut law.

This threshold reveals the importance of building a strong personal injury case with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer.

What Financial Losses and Damages Can You Win in a Pedestrian Accident Claim?

In pedestrian accidents, pedestrians stand to lose a lot, and the physical, emotional, and financial implications are great. In personal injury cases, accident victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages, which include:

Loss of Wages

One of the primary concerns following a pedestrian accident is the loss of income, especially if the injuries prevent you from working. This includes lost wages from the time missed at work and potential future earnings if your injuries affect your long-term ability to work. Our team will help quantify these losses to ensure that any settlement or judgment reflects the accident’s full impact on your earning capacity.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering encompass the physical and emotional distress caused by the accident. This can include chronic pain, emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and a decreased enjoyment of life. While these damages are more subjective and harder to quantify, they are just as real and significant as concrete physical injuries. Our experienced attorneys are skilled in presenting a compelling case for these non-economic damages.

Medical Expenses

Medical treatment is expensive. Pedestrian accident injuries can be comprehensive and overwhelming to deal with. Your compensation covers past, present, and future medical expenses or medical bills related to your injuries.

This includes any surgeries, hospital stays, prescription medications, physical and emotional therapy, and any other medical expenses that result from the accident.

Quality of Life Damages

Severe injuries can result in a significant decline in the quality of your life. Due to the resulting injuries, you may be unable to engage in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed. You might need ongoing care or assistance, or you might develop permanent disabilities.

We work tirelessly to ensure that the compensation for quality-of-life damages reflects any changes to your day-to-day life resulting from the accident.

Hit by a Car or Motorcycle While Walking? Here’s What to Do:

If you are in a pedestrian accident and can document the aftermath, you should do the following to increase the chances of your successfully winning a pedestrian accident injury claim.

1. Seek Medical Attention

The top priority is your health. Even if you feel fine, certain injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, might not be outwardly apparent right away. Also, when you seek medical attention immediately, you’ll have a medical record of your injuries, which is vital for a successful personal injury claim. You’ll have to address your injuries eventually, but putting them off will put a greater burden on your pockets when you can’t fight for the compensation you deserve. 

2. Document with Photos, Witness Statements, and Physical Evidence

If you can, take photos of the accident, including the vehicle(s) involved, skid marks, injuries, or damage to the surrounding environment. Be sure to collect contact information and witness statements from anyone who may have been present. Also, preserve physical evidence, such as torn or bloodied clothing.

3. Report the Accident

Report the accident to the police so you obtain a police report that provides an official record of the incident. It will include details regarding the parties involved and potential citations issued. These are also important to your claim.

4. Don’t Accuse or Accept Blame

Do not discuss who is potentially at fault at the accident scene, even if emotions run high. Any statements you make can be used against you later.

5. Talk to a Bridgeport Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Consult with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Bridgeport before making any statements to the insurance company or agreeing to settlements. An experienced personal injury lawyer will guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive due compensation.

Trust Us to Help You Get Due Compensation for Your Pedestrian Accident

Navigating the challenges that come after a pedestrian accident is difficult.

However, with the right legal team on your side, you can ensure that your and your family’s future is protected. Carter Mario Law Firm strives to recover maximum compensation for our clients so they can move past the accident and move forward with their lives.

We serve clients throughout Connecticut and can travel to meet you at home or in the hospital. Our legal services are also available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Remember — we only charge for our legal services after we win your case. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation with a Bridgeport pedestrian accident lawyer.

Pedestrian Accident FAQs

How long do I have to file a claim in Connecticut?

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including pedestrian accidents, is two years from the date of the incident. This legal deadline is critical because you can lose your right to file a claim if you fail to file within the statute of limitations. There are certain exceptions, however, depending on specific circumstances, like the victim’s age.

What are the most common pedestrian injuries?

Pedestrian accidents often result in severe injuries due to victims’ lack of physical protection. Common injuries include:

• Broken bones (particularly in the legs, arms, and pelvis)
• Traumatic brain injuries from head impacts
• Spinal cord injuries
• Severe lacerations
• Road rash
• Internal injuries

Are pedestrian accident cases hard to win?

Winning a pedestrian accident case is often challenging because the plaintiff must prove the driver’s negligence. The plaintiff’s legal team must show that the driver had a duty of care, breached this duty, and directly caused your injuries.

Can a pedestrian be at fault in a pedestrian accident?

Pedestrians can be found partially at fault in these types of accidents. If a pedestrian was crossing against the signal, walking outside of a crosswalk, or was distracted (using their cell phone) while walking, they may be deemed partially responsible.

The comparative negligence rule reduces compensation based on the pedestrian’s percentage of fault.

Who pays the medical bills after my accident?

Initially, your bills are usually covered by your health insurance or by out-of-pocket payments. In a successful personal injury claim, the at-fault driver might be required to reimburse these costs (though usually through their insurance company).

Why do I need an accident lawyer in a pedestrian accident case?

An experienced injury lawyer will help you navigate the court system, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for your best interests. A Bridgeport pedestrian accident lawyer addresses complex legal issues like comparative negligence or properly valuing your claim.

Where do collisions with pedestrians occur most often?

Pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas, at intersections, crosswalks, and parking lots. Areas with poor visibility and high foot traffic are considered higher risk

How are pedestrian accidents different from car accidents?

Pedestrian accidents and car accidents are different in several key ways. Injuries in pedestrian accidents are usually more severe due to the lack of protection. Also, these cases involve different assessments of fault and liability, with a specific focus on pedestrian rights and driver responsibilities.