We’re all pedestrians at one time or another. Just about any person on or near a roadway who isn’t in a motor vehicle is a pedestrian. The term includes skateboarders and people in wheelchairs too. As per the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, a pedestrian is killed in a motor vehicle accident about every two hours. One is injured in such an accident every seven minutes. Nearly 75 percent of those accidents occur in urban areas. The Philadelphia Police Department recorded 40 pedestrian deaths in 2017.
Who Caused the Accident?
When multi-vehicle accidents occur, there might be more than one injured person, especially if the accident occurs in an area with heavy pedestrian traffic. Most pedestrian accidents in and around Philadelphia involve a single vehicle and a single driver, but sometimes pedestrians are injured or killed in multi-vehicle accidents. In that type of scenario, the pedestrian or the decedent’s estate might have difficulty determining which driver he or she should pursue for damages. That’s when victims or their surviving family members need the knowledge and experience of an experienced and highly rated pedestrian accident lawyer. Our law firm can be of great help in learning exactly how a crash occurred and determining the legal options that might be available to obtain compensation for the pedestrian’s injuries.
Anybody Can Be a Victim
There are a few ways pedestrians could be injured in multi-vehicle accidents. First, the pedestrian might have the right-of-way in a cross walk when a vehicle stopped for a red light is rear-ended in a chain reaction pile-up. The impact from that crash can force the stopped vehicle into the pedestrian.
Another scenario involves a multi-vehicle collision that forces a vehicle onto a sidewalk. That vehicle then hits a pedestrian. Police officers, paramedics, tow truck drivers and Good Samaritans can also get hit by vehicles when assisting at the site of a multi-vehicle crash.
Finally, a pedestrian could be hit by a driver and thrown into a lane and hit by yet another vehicle. That’s what happened recently in Edgewater Park, New Jersey. According to 6ABC, a 25yr old man was hit in the southbound lane of Route 130 and he was thrown into a center lane where he was hit a second time. Tragically, the young man died from his injuries.
Liability Might Be Shared
If two or more vehicles are involved in an accident involving a pedestrian, more than one driver may be found liable. That’s why a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the injury or death of a pedestrian must be performed. Of course, any resulting claim or lawsuit will get complicated quickly, but that probably means more insurance coverage with which to maximize compensation for the injured victim or surviving family.
Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer today
Pedestrians are virtually exposed and unprotected when hit by a vehicle. Even a low speed impact can cause severe injuries. If you were injured as a pedestrian in a single vehicle or multiple vehicle accident, contact us right away and you can arrange for a free consultation and case review. We’ll listen carefully to your version of events, answer your questions and advise you of your legal options.
