Pedestrian Accident Statistics

In the United States, the number of pedestrian accidents has become an epidemic, with the numbers climbing each year. In 2022, the pedestrian accidents have reached new record levels, 100,000 pedestrian related injuries were documented in emergency rooms and 7,000 pedestrian accidents were fatal. Virginian pedestrians and families thereof, who have been involved in an incident have an award winning pedestrian accident lawyer to assist in regaining financial compensation for damages. Please call the Booth Law Firm 757) 304-8424 for a free consultation to help navigate the long difficult process of victim remuneration.

In 2021, 146 individuals, of which 16 were cyclists and 130 were pedestrians, died while walking or cycling on Virginia’s roads according to DriveSmart.org. The same year there were an additional 1,686 pedestrians and 618 cyclists injured. Statistics show that 161 people are injured every day in the commonwealth of Virginia from traffic accidents. The CDC has found that motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for people aged 5 to 19 years of age. Smart phones, speeding cars/trucks/motorcycles sharing the roads with walkers/runners are responsible for this “silent epidemic.”

Pedestrian accidents are almost always devastating or even fatal, in addition to catastrophic life changing injuries, victims also face high medical costs, loss of income and lengthy healing periods. A young or mature pedestrian victim may also face painful rehab treatments, social isolation and possible facial and body disfigurement. Younger victims almost always experience educational fragmentation, as well as being excluded from school society, which at a young age can be devastating.These victims are the most vulnerable subjects to injury and severe impairment due to the lack of physical protection and the natural frailty of human bodies.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

• Distracted, confused or preoccupied driver. 
• Drivers failure to yield.
• Drivers lose control of the vehicle due to speeding, lane changes and/or poor weather conditions.
• Drivers disobey traffic signals.
• Drivers fail to utilize headlights and fog lights in poor light/vision conditions.
• Drivers with certain malice.
• Fatigued drivers.
• Alcohol or illegal substance Intoxicated drivers.
• Jaywalking.
• Poor weather driving conditions.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

• VPD encourages walkers to use signaled crosswalks when possible, and use extreme caution when crossing at intersections without signals. 
• Look both ways before crossing the street. 
• Never run between cars into the street. 
• Wear bright and reflective clothing that allows drivers and people to see you and avoid any dark clothing after dark or early in the morning.
• Use extreme caution exercising at dawn, at dusk and at night. Clothing should be bright. with a reflective quality, as well as athletic shoes and don’t forget to protect one’s canine companion in similar bright reflective fabrics and an additional flasher pet tag found at many larger pet stores.
• Keep alert! Where a go pro to document one’s travels or an Apple Watch which features accident assistance.  
• Carry personal identification, either as a bracelet, a tag worn on clothing or one’s license
• Report dangerous/aggressive drivers:include a vehicle’s color, make, model, state and if possible, license plate number.

Safety Tips for Drivers to Avoid Pedestrians

Pedestrian Accident Liability in Virginia

• According to Virginia code 46.2-895, a hit and run involving attended property, injury or death and 46.2-897 a hit and run involving unoccupied property. A driver, passenger or witness who is 16 years or older, who crashed, witnessed and/or was informed of said hit and run must report the accident in less than 24 hours. If a driver, or witness, or passengers fail to report an incident which caused injury, death, or damage may be charged with felony.

• Virginia law code 46.2-928 states a pedestrian must use sidewalks when present.On roadways where there are no sidewalks, pedestrians are expected to walk on the left shoulder and be a safe distance from the roadway.
• According to Virginia law code 46.2924, a driver is expected to always stop for pedestrians at crosswalks on streets with speeds not more than 35mph.
• Virginia Contributory Negligence: a plaintiff who is even a little to blame cannot recover damages.

Please immediately call Virginia pedestrian accident lawyer Ed Booth (757) 304-8424 for honest, fair free consultation. If one’s case is mutually believed to show negligence, Mr. Booth will honestly, with due diligence, care for all clients with an experienced, results driven style. 

Types of Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Frequent injuries to a pedestrian hit by an at fault car, truck, commercial vehicle:

Pedestrian Post Accident Checklist

• If struck, look for help from passerby requesting ambulance care or use electronics to alert emergency. Try to stay as quiet as possible using deep breathing methods and allowing one’s being to sit or lie down. There may be additional injuries unfelt and unseen that could be worsened.
• If able, obtain driver’s name and insurance.
• If hit and run, try to repeat color, make and or license number to witness or passerby.
• Call experienced pedestrian accident lawyer, Ed Booth ((757) 304-8424).

Ed Booth: Virginia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Valuing a Virginia Pedestrian Accident

• Present and future medical bills.
• Pain and suffering to the victim and/or family. 
• Emotional suffering, ongoing and the possibility of future angst.
• Life care costs and disability care.
• Loss of wages.
• Loss of future income.
• Possible punitive damages, if there was existing malice by driver. 
• A pedestrian accident lawyer can investigate cause of collision, sustained injuries and pursuant medical bills and assist to determine present/future pain and suffering of client.

In addition, the Booth Law firm can assist with insurance questions, whether it be a single policy or multiple that could cover damages. Mr. Booth helps injured people and or their families to get their lives back on track. He will investigate all claims and fight for the compensation his clients legally deserve.

Proving fault In Pedestrian Accident Cases

• If one wishes to pursue a claim for compensation in a pedestrian accident case, then one would need proof of legal grounds for the case.
• One would need to show the defendant failed to obey the rules of the road and did not show caution to avoid at all costs hitting the claimant.
• Police report, any and all eye witness statements, security camera/s footage and other evidence would be gathered and would need to prove additional fault on behalf of the defendant.

Let Ed Booth Help With Your Pedestrian Accident Case

Attorney Ed Booth will give you a free consultation to provide you with an honest evaluation about your case. Working on a contingency fee, all expenses come out of the settlement – you don’t pay, unless you win. He serves all of Virginia and diligently represents all clients who have been harmed by the negligence of others. He has received numerous accolades including Super Lawyers Rising Star, Coastal Virginia Magazine’s Top Lawyer for 2016-2022, Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating. He is deeply respected for having won a multi-million-dollar jury verdict for a fatal Virginia car accident – the 5th Largest Jury Verdict in Virginia from 2015. Please call The Ed Booth Law Firm (757) 304-8424 for a consultation free of charge to discover why Virginia’s pedestrian accident lawyer Ed Booth consistently receives five-star recommendations from past clients. As a recognized injury law firm in Virginia with multiple honors and recognitions within the state, Ed Booth will help to guide you through the process and will work to get the maximum compensation you deserve for your pedestrian accident case in the state of Virginia. 

Experienced pedestrian accident accident attorney Ed Booth has served injured victims, obtaining settlements ranging from $440,000 to $3.5 million in injury claims. Client reviews have described Ed as a supportive, dedicated, honest representative who is not afraid to remove the gloves in court. Fellow peers have described Ed as a lawyer they would personally hire for family and or themselves, a noble compliment in a deeply competitive field.

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