Pittsburgh Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Being involved in a pedestrian accident can leave victims reeling from serious injuries, excessive medical bills, and dealing with emotional trauma. That’s where a Pittsburgh pedestrian accident lawyer can step in.

At Ainsman Levine, LLC, our experienced team is ready to guide you through every step of your pedestrian accident claim while making sure your rights are protected under Pennsylvania’s pedestrian accident laws.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Pittsburgh

In 2023, over 9000 pedestrians lost their lives in the United States. Pedestrian accidents can happen in many different ways, but they’re often caused by the negligence of the driver, environmental factors, or a combination of both. Understanding how your accident happened can help our Pittsburgh pedestrian accident attorneys identify liability, gather the evidence we need, and build the strongest case possible. Some of the most common causes include:

• Distracted driving
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Failure to yield
• Speeding
• Impaired driving
• Poor visibility
• Poorly maintained roads or infrastructure
• Mechanical failures
• Driver inattention in parking lots

At Ainsman Levine, LLC, our experienced attorneys are dedicated to investigating every detail so that we can help you hold the negligent parties accountable while pursuing the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries.

Steps to Take After You’ve Been Struck by a Vehicle

In the chaos that comes after a pedestrian accident, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to do next. Knowing the right steps to take immediately after an accident can help you protect your health, preserve important evidence, and strengthen your pedestrian accident claim. These steps include:

1. Call 911 and request EMS. Even if you feel okay, injuries like internal bleeding or concussions won’t always be obvious.
2. Don’t speculate about fault. Avoid admitting blame or making statements that could be used against you later on.
3. Get driver and vehicle information. Collect the driver’s name, license number, vehicle details, and insurance information.
4. Identify witnesses. Ask for the names and contact information of anyone who saw the accident.
5. Photograph the scene. Capture the crosswalks, traffic signals, lighting, weather, skid marks, vehicle positions, and injuries.
6. Document your memory. Write down all the details you can remember while they’re still fresh, including the direction you were walking in, the phase of the signal, and any vehicle movements.
7. Preserve clothing and footwear. Keep any items involved in the accident and maintain all medical and work-loss records.

At Ainsman Levine, LLC, our experienced Pittsburgh pedestrian accident attorneys guide clients through these steps to help make sure every detail is preserved and that your rights remain fully protected.

Pennsylvania Pedestrian Right-of-Way Rules

Many people mistakenly believe the old adage that pedestrians always have the right-of-way. However, pedestrian safety is governed by common sense and statute in Pennsylvania. That means that while it may be prudent for drivers to yield the right of way to an unprotected pedestrian, there are times when the pedestrian is not protected by the law.

However, there are clear rules that can determine liability in most cases, and those rules include:

• Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections, even when the signals aren’t functioning.
• Pedestrians can’t suddenly step into the path of a vehicle if the distance is short enough to prevent the vehicle from safely stopping.
• Drivers can’t pass a vehicle that’s stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
• Pedestrians crossing outside of a crosswalk generally need to yield to vehicles.

These laws serve as a baseline for understanding liability in pedestrian accidents in Pennsylvania. At Ainsman Levine, LLC, our experienced Pittsburgh pedestrian accident attorneys can help explain how these rules apply to your specific situation.

Types of Compensation You Could Be Entitled To

Understanding the different types of damages that you could be entitled to can help you and your Pittsburgh pedestrian accident attorney build a stronger case. Depending on the specific facts of your case, you could be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including costs for hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
• Lost wages, including compensation for income lost during recovery or for reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, including compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident
• Property damage for damaged personal items, like clothing, phones, or mobility aids

Under Pennsylvania insurance laws, all individuals purchasing auto insurance must select a “tort” option that determines the extent of compensation you may pursue from the negligent party responsible for your injuries or the death of a family member in an accident. If you are a pedestrian injured by any motor vehicle, you are entitled to seek damages for economic and non-economic damages, regardless of your tort option.

At Ainsman Levine, LLC, our team works closely with our clients to identify every available avenue for recovery, helping you make sure you get the full compensation you deserve.

Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer: Local Representation Makes a Difference

When you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, you need to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer who truly understands the local legal landscape. At Ainsman Levine, LLC, we’re proud to serve Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities, and we offer decades of combined experience when it comes to handling pedestrian accident claims in this region.

Being local means we understand how local judges and insurance companies operate. This is because we regularly appear at the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas at 436 Grant Street, the Magisterial District Courts, and the Pittsburgh Municipal Court at 660 First Avenue, giving us insight into courtroom procedures, local filing requirements, and the judges who oversee these cases.

That knowledge allows us to craft strategies tailored to each courtroom so we can advocate effectively on your behalf.

Choosing Ainsman Levine, LLC, means partnering with a team that understands the Pittsburgh area, knows the local legal environment, and fights tirelessly to secure the most favorable outcome for your pedestrian accident claim.

FAQs

Can I Still Get Compensated if I Was Partially at Fault?

Yes, you can still get compensated if you were partially at fault. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that the court can assign you a percentage of responsibility for your injuries. When a settlement or judgment is awarded, the amount you take home is reduced by the same amount as that percentage.

Do I Need to See a Doctor Even if My Injuries Are Minor?

Yes, you need to see a doctor even if your injuries are minor. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, might not show any immediate symptoms, but they can cause issues later. Getting prompt medical attention can help catch these injuries before they worsen. It also creates a record of your injuries and treatment, which is essential when you pursue a pedestrian accident claim.

How Long Does a Pedestrian Accident Case Usually Take?

The amount of time it takes to resolve a pedestrian accident case can vary depending on how serious your injuries are, whether liability is straightforward or not, and how willing insurance companies are to negotiate. Some cases could be resolved through negotiation within a few months, while others could take a year or longer if they need to be litigated.

Are There Time Limits for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim?

Yes, there are time limits for filing a pedestrian accident claim. These claims are governed by Pennsylvania’s personal injury statute of limitations, which states that you need to file a claim within two years of the date of the accident. If you wait too long and miss this deadline, you give up your legal right to pursue compensation.

Experienced Western and Central Pennsylvania Pedestrian Injury Attorneys

In an accident, the car driver is sometimes quick to complain that the pedestrian stepped out in front of the vehicle, or entered the crosswalk against the light, or stepped off the curb. No matter what circumstances led to your pedestrian accident, talk to an experienced personal injury attorney.

At Ainsman Levine, LLC, we offer a free consultation to discuss the circumstances of your pedestrian accident. We can investigate the accident and explain your options for pursuing damages. It is important that you don’t talk to an insurance adjuster until you understand your rights. We are recognized among the leading personal injury law firms in the Pittsburgh area.

Call us to schedule a free consultation right away.

We have experience helping clients obtain money damages for pedestrian accident injury and wrongful death claims resulting from:

• Intersection accidents
• Crosswalk accidents
• Shoulder accidents
• Parking lot and sidewalk accidents
• Bicycle accidents

Free Consultation — Pedestrian Accident Cases Handled on a Contingency Fee Basis

At Ainsman Levine, LLC, our attorneys provide experienced and personalized legal services tailored to meet clients’ short and long-term needs and goals. We are Pittsburgh’s straight-talking personal injury lawyers.

Our offices are just off the Parkway, next to the City-County Building in downtown Pittsburgh. Contact us to discuss your questions and concerns with one of our experienced Pittsburgh pedestrian accident attorneys today. As long as this law firm represents you, there are no attorneys’ fees or costs if you do not recover money damages in a settlement or jury verdict.

We understand that your injuries or other circumstances may make it difficult for you to come to our offices in downtown Pittsburgh. Our lawyers can arrange to make home, office, and hospital visits throughout Western and Central Pennsylvania.