Boulder Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Were you struck by a negligent motorist while walking in Boulder? If so, you could be owed financial compensation for all that you have suffered at the hands of a careless driver, including medical bills, lost wages and future earning potential, and diminished quality of life. An experienced Boulder pedestrian accident lawyer can help you fight for the money and justice you’re owed.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, we have seen first-hand the devastation that a pedestrian accident can cause. That is why we are committed to helping victims recover the maximum amount of compensation possible after a collision.
If you or someone close to you has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Boulder, contact our office immediately. We offer free and confidential case evaluations and will review your situation and discuss your legal options at no cost to you.
What Colorado Laws Protect Pedestrians in the Event of an Accident?
Colorado has laws in the book meant to protect pedestrians and govern the use of motor vehicles. These laws outline legal obligations such as the right-of-way laws and the use of crosswalks. All Colorado motorists are responsible for understanding these laws and operating their motor vehicles responsibly and safely, especially around pedestrians.
One of the primary ways that the state safeguards pedestrians is through its right-of-way laws. The Colorado Driver Handbook details when and where drivers must stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Generally, drivers must yield when pedestrians are in a crosswalk, at intersections with stop signs or flashing lights, and in areas without working traffic signals. Even when drivers have a green light, the handbook states that they must take every reasonable action to avoid hitting pedestrians.
Furthermore, in Colorado, motorists are not permitted to pass or drive around a stopped school bus with flashing lights and its stop sign deployed. Illegally passing a school bus while children are getting on or off the bus is extremely dangerous for these young pedestrians. Doing so can result in a fine of up to $300 and a mandatory court appearance for a first offense. It also adds six demerit points to a driver’s license.
Unfortunately, drivers violate this law all too frequently. In 2019, Colorado bus drivers were asked to select a single day between March 1st and May 31st and record how many times they were illegally passed on it. They reported being illegally passed some 949 times. The Wilhite Firm has some of the best personal injury attorneys in Boulder.
What Are the Most Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents in Colorado?
Pedestrian accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, but a common denominator is often driver inattention. Some of the most common types of Colorado pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving accidents
- Drunk or impaired driving accidents
- Left-hand turns
- Parking lot accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Speeding accidents
- Failing to yield
- Poor visibility
What Injuries Are Most Common in Colorado Pedestrian Accidents?
Pedestrians are at a massive disadvantage relative to 3,000-pound passenger vehicles. Even at low speeds, the force of a collision is enough to maim or kill. Furthermore, changes to vehicle design and travel patterns have led to a 53% increase in the number of fatal pedestrian collisions over the past decade.
Some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Concussion
- Amputations
- Organ damage
- Broken limbs
- Pelvic injuries
- Facial injuries
- Road rash
- Contusions
- Lacerations
- Wrongful death
What Kind of Compensation Can You Expect from a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
All pedestrian accident claims are unique. There is no universal dollar amount that can compensate someone for the particular injuries or mental anguish they have suffered. In general, the value of a pedestrian accident claim is based on the severity of a victim’s injuries and the circumstances of the accident itself.
Typically, a victim can seek compensation for their economic and non-economic damages, including measurable losses and quality of life changes. In total, a victim may be able to recover money for:
- Medical care expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence system, which means that a victim’s compensation can be diminished by the amount of fault they bear for causing the accident. For example, if a pedestrian is 10 percent to blame for causing an accident, they would recover compensation for 90 percent of their total losses. Under modified comparative negligence, anyone who is more than 50 percent at fault for an accident is unable to recover any form of compensation in civil court.
While this rule binds courts, it also guides the decisions of insurance adjusters. An adjuster will generally take into consideration how a court would rule in a case before assigning a value to a pedestrian accident claim. Contact our Boulder accident lawyer today.
What Should You Do If You Are Involved in a Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrian accidents can be physically and mentally traumatizing, which can make it hard to react to the enormity of the situation in the moment. However, your actions in the minutes, days, and weeks after being hit by a vehicle will affect your ability to receive the compensation you deserve.
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident, consider taking the following steps to protect your health and financial well-being:
- Gather evidence -If possible, take pictures of the scene, your injuries, and the surrounding location. Ask for the contact information of witnesses to the accident. Keep all clothing you were wearing at the time of the accident.
- Seek medical attention – If you are not transported by ambulance, seek medical attention as soon as possible. This is important both for your health and for establishing the extent of your injuries in the event of a future claim.
- Contact an attorney – Get in touch with an experienced Colorado pedestrian accident attorney as soon as you are able to. An attorney can help gather evidence and manage all communication between you and the insurance company.
- Follow all medical advice – Follow all your doctor’s orders and keep all follow-up appointments.
- Stay off social media – Do not post information about the accident online. Keep all communication about the incident between you and your attorney. Insurance companies monitor social media accounts, looking for anything they can use to minimize the amount they have to pay out.,
- Maintain your records – Keep copies of all your medical expenses, repair bills, and out-of-pocket receipts related to the collision.
Contact a Boulder Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
A pedestrian collision can change the course of your entire life. Don’t let an insurance company tell you how much your claim is worth without first consulting with an experienced Boulder pedestrian accident attorney. At The Wilhite Law Firm, we want to help you seek the money you need for your recovery. Contact our Boulder car accident attorney today.
Our team has been helping injured Coloradans for more than 35 years. We are committed to giving pedestrian accident victims the advice they need to navigate the claims or litigation process.
If you have been involved in a Boulder pedestrian accident, contact our office today for a free case evaluation.