Bridgeport Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Bridgeport, CT

When an accident happens, the incident can be catastrophic enough. However, when a pedestrian is hit, the results can be even more catastrophic, potentially deadly. Pedestrians are more vulnerable than drivers and are more susceptible to danger and severe injury. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, compensation may be available to you. A Bridgeport pedestrian accident lawyer can help you recover.

Most Common Places Pedestrian Accidents Occur

Your Legal Rights After a Pedestrian Accident in Bridgeport, CT

A pedestrian accident occurs when a driver hits a pedestrian, most commonly while the pedestrian is crossing the street. Many pedestrian accidents happen at crosswalks, in parking lots, in intersections, on sidewalks, and in school pick-up and drop-off zones.

Typically, in pedestrian accidents, the driver who hit you or their insurance company is liable for your damages, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. If dangerous road conditions, faded crosswalks, or broken signals played a role in your accident, the City of Bridgeport or a state agency might also be responsible.

However, liability isn’t automatic. Both drivers and pedestrians are required to exercise a reasonable duty of care. If you were hit while legally crossing, even if it’s not in a marked crosswalk, insurance adjusters and courts are generally going to side with the pedestrian, especially if the driver did not see you or if they violated a traffic law. The municipality may be liable if your accident resulted from broken warning signs or malfunctioning crosswalk signals.

Connecticut is a comparative negligence state. If you’re partly to blame (for example, if you were jaywalking), you’ll still recover damages, but they will be reduced by your percentage of fault. You can recover damages as long as you’re found to be less than 50% at fault.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Bridgeport, CT

Pedestrian injuries are usually serious or fatal due to the human body’s inability to withstand the force of a moving vehicle. Pedestrians lack the protection of seatbelts, airbags, and metal frames that drivers have. For these reasons, Bridgeport pedestrian accident victims frequently suffer from long-term injuries and have major financial burdens. Some common injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents include:

• Head and Brain Injuries: This includes concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and skull fractures that can have a massive effect on a person’s memory and cognitive abilities.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: Due to the force of a pedestrian accident, it is common for an injured person to experience broken arms, legs, pelvis, or ribs.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries can be particularly dangerous, as they can cause paralysis. It can also cause long-term damage, issues with mobility, and chronic pain.
• Internal Injuries: Internal injuries do not always show symptoms right away. Some internal injuries include internal bleeding and punctured lungs.
• Psychological Injuries: In addition to physical injuries, a person can also experience psychological ones, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Not only do these injuries affect your health, but they can also affect your pedestrian accident claim. Medical records, treatment costs, and long-term prognosis are just a few factors that can impact your potential recovery.

Local Considerations for Bridgeport Pedestrian Accidents

In 2022, there were 7,522 pedestrian accidents in the United States. In 2023, there were 1,474 crashes involving pedestrians in Connecticut. There were 180 serious injuries as a result of these crashes, and 64 deaths.

Drivers have the duty to give, not just yield, the right of way to any pedestrian in any marked or unmarked crosswalk, according to Connecticut pedestrian accident laws. The pedestrian does not need to be on the curb, fully in the crosswalk, or have taken any actual steps yet to be in the crosswalk. Pedestrians showing their intention to cross the road might raise their hands or extend items such as canes or strollers.

How Fault is Determined in Bridgeport Pedestrian Accidents

The injuries you suffer in an accident are not only important to your physical well-being, but also to the value of your pedestrian accident claim. Medical records, bills, and expenses, as well as your prognosis, can affect the amount of money you might recover. Determining fault in a pedestrian accident is not always as simple as it might seem. To establish liability, the following must be proven:

• The driver, or other responsible party, owed you a duty of care.
• They breached that duty.
• Their breach caused your injury directly.
• You suffered damages as a result of your injuries.

In many cases, the driver may be found liable for his failure to yield to a pedestrian, speeding, or driving while distracted.

Pedestrians, too, must follow rules and regulations, like crosswalk signals and proper crossing behavior. In Connecticut, fault is determined based on a finding of negligence, or a failure to use reasonable care under the circumstances. In a situation where the driver and pedestrian are each partially at fault for the collision, the victim may still recover compensation, although that amount might be reduced based on the state’s comparative negligence statute.

For instance, if a pedestrian is hit while crossing the street at Main Street in downtown Bridgeport, but they are found to be partially at fault for jaywalking into the road outside of a crosswalk, he or she may still be able to make a successful claim for compensation, though his or her damages may be reduced.

Since many cases depend on the facts, it is important to have a knowledgeable Bridgeport pedestrian accident attorney evaluate the evidence, including police reports and witness statements, to prove liability and protect your right to recover financial damages.

About Buckley Wynne & Parese

Since 1881, Buckley Wynne & Parese has had a proud history of championing the rights of injury victims in Connecticut. Our firm prides itself on providing the same personalized, hands-on service that has been the cornerstone of our success for generations.

We have appeared in state and federal courts, as well as in appellate proceedings, including before the Connecticut Supreme Court and the Bridgeport Superior Court. We can represent you and assist you in your claim, recovering necessary damages, such as medical bills and pain and suffering. We can handle the legal side so you can focus on your recovery.

Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Bridgeport, CT Today

If you or a loved one has been injured, you do not have to deal with the aftermath alone. Hire a pedestrian accident lawyer today. Contact Buckley Wynne & Parese today to get the help you need.

Available 24/71-800-445-2278

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