Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable when they are involved in collisions with motor vehicles. Unlike people inside cars, pedestrians have little physical protection against the force of an impact, which can result in fractures, head injuries, spinal injuries, internal injuries, permanent disabilities or death.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 7,080 pedestrians were killed and more than 71,000 were injured in traffic crashes in 2024 in the United States.
A pedestrian injury law firm represents people injured while walking or otherwise traveling as pedestrians. Depending on the circumstances, the potential claim may involve a negligent driver, vehicle owner, employer, government entity, property owner or another potentially responsible party.
This guide explains what pedestrian injury law firms do, when you may need one, how pedestrian accident claims work, what compensation may be available, how fault is determined, attorney fees and how to choose a lawyer.
What Is a Pedestrian Injury Law Firm?
A pedestrian injury law firm is a personal injury practice that handles cases involving people injured in pedestrian accidents.
Common cases can include:
- Pedestrian hit by a car
- Pedestrian hit by a truck
- Pedestrian hit by a motorcycle
- Pedestrian hit in a crosswalk
- Pedestrian hit at an intersection
- Pedestrian injured in a parking lot
- Pedestrian struck while walking along a roadway
- Pedestrian hit by a rideshare vehicle
- Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents
- Pedestrian accidents involving commercial vehicles
- Fatal pedestrian accidents
- Wrongful death claims arising from pedestrian crashes
Personal injury law generally focuses on two major questions: liability and damages—whether another party is legally responsible and what losses resulted from the injury.
What Does a Pedestrian Injury Law Firm Do?
A pedestrian accident attorney can become involved in several stages of a claim.
Investigating the Accident
A lawyer may investigate:
- Where the pedestrian was walking
- Where the vehicle was traveling
- Traffic signals
- Crosswalk markings
- Right-of-way issues
- Vehicle speed
- Road and weather conditions
- Lighting and visibility
- Driver behavior
- Witness statements
- Surveillance footage
- Police or crash reports
NHTSA identifies several recurring pedestrian crash situations, including vehicles turning through a pedestrian’s path, backing vehicles, pedestrians crossing against signals and collisions involving vehicles stopped near crosswalks.
Determining Who Is Responsible
Liability is not always as simple as determining which vehicle struck the pedestrian.
Depending on the facts, a case could potentially involve:
- The driver
- The vehicle owner
- A driver’s employer
- A trucking or transportation company
- A rideshare-related insurance policy
- A vehicle manufacturer
- A property owner
- A government entity responsible for certain roadway conditions
The applicable legal theory and parties depend on the circumstances and state law.
Gathering Evidence
The law firm may collect:
- Police reports
- Traffic-camera footage
- Security-camera recordings
- Photographs
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Accident reconstruction evidence
- Vehicle information
- Insurance policies
- Employment records
Evidence can become especially important when the driver claims that the pedestrian caused or contributed to the accident.
Handling Insurance Companies
A pedestrian injury lawyer can communicate with insurance companies, submit documentation and negotiate a potential settlement.
This may involve the driver’s liability insurer as well as other potentially applicable coverage, depending on the accident and insurance policies.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can happen in many different ways.
Distracted Driving
A driver looking at a phone, navigation system or another distraction may fail to see a pedestrian.
Failure to Yield
A driver may fail to yield when turning or approaching a crosswalk.
Speeding
Higher vehicle speeds can increase the severity of pedestrian injuries. NHTSA notes that vehicle speed affects both the likelihood and severity of pedestrian crashes.
Impaired Driving
Alcohol or drugs can impair reaction time, judgment and visibility.
Failure to Check While Backing Up
Pedestrians can be struck when a vehicle reverses from:
- Driveways
- Parking spaces
- Parking lots
- Private roads
- Commercial properties
Poor Visibility
Nighttime conditions, weather and inadequate lighting can make pedestrians harder to see.
Dangerous Road Conditions
In some cases, roadway design, construction, signage or other conditions may become relevant to determining whether another party has legal responsibility.
NHTSA identifies roadway environment, vehicle characteristics, weather and road-user behavior as factors that can contribute to pedestrian crashes.
When Should You Hire a Pedestrian Injury Lawyer?
Not every pedestrian accident requires a lawyer.
However, obtaining legal advice may be particularly useful when:
- You suffered serious injuries.
- You were hospitalized.
- You require surgery.
- Your injuries may be permanent.
- You cannot work.
- The driver denies responsibility.
- The insurance company disputes the claim.
- You were partially blamed for the accident.
- The driver fled the scene.
- Several parties may be responsible.
- A commercial vehicle was involved.
- The accident involved a government entity.
- The accident resulted in death.
A legal consultation can help determine which laws apply and what deadlines may affect the claim.
What Injuries Can Result From Pedestrian Accidents?
Because pedestrians have limited physical protection, injuries can be severe.
Common injuries include:
Head and Brain Injuries
A pedestrian may suffer a concussion, traumatic brain injury or other head trauma.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Collisions can cause injuries to the neck, back or spinal cord, potentially resulting in long-term impairment.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Leg, arm, pelvis, rib and other fractures are common possibilities following a vehicle impact.
Internal Injuries
A collision can cause internal bleeding or organ injuries that may require emergency medical treatment.
Soft-Tissue Injuries
These can include injuries involving muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues.
Psychological Injuries
Some accident victims may also experience emotional or psychological effects following a serious collision. Whether such losses are legally compensable depends on applicable state law and the facts of the case.
What Compensation Can a Pedestrian Injury Lawyer Pursue?
The damages available depend on the applicable state law and facts of the case.
Potential categories can include:
Medical Expenses
These may include qualifying expenses for:
- Emergency treatment
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Follow-up care
- Future medical treatment
Lost Wages
If the injury prevents the victim from working, documented lost income may form part of the claim.
Loss of Future Earning Capacity
A serious injury can affect the victim’s ability to work and earn income in the future.
Determining future earning losses may require medical, vocational and financial evidence.
Pain and Suffering
Depending on state law, an injured pedestrian may potentially recover compensation for physical pain and certain non-economic losses.
Disability
Permanent impairment can have significant effects on an individual’s work, mobility and daily life. Some jurisdictions permit compensation for these losses.
Disfigurement
Permanent scarring or other disfigurement may also be relevant to damages where permitted by state law.
The American Bar Association identifies medical bills, lost wages, future wage losses, physical pain and suffering, disfigurement and disability among potential damages in personal injury cases.
What If the Pedestrian Was Partially at Fault?
This is an important issue in pedestrian accident claims.
A driver may argue that the pedestrian:
- Crossed outside a crosswalk.
- Ignored a traffic signal.
- Entered the roadway unexpectedly.
- Was distracted.
- Was walking where prohibited.
- Failed to take reasonable care.
The legal effect of a pedestrian’s own conduct depends on the state.
Many states use some form of comparative negligence, under which damages can be reduced according to the injured person’s share of responsibility. Other jurisdictions use different rules, including contributory negligence.
Therefore, being accused of contributing to the accident does not necessarily answer whether a pedestrian has a valid claim. The specific state’s law and facts must be examined.
What If the Driver Leaves the Scene?
A hit-and-run pedestrian accident can make the claim more complicated because the driver may initially be unidentified.
A law firm may investigate:
- Nearby surveillance cameras
- Traffic-camera footage
- Witnesses
- Vehicle descriptions
- License-plate information
- Police reports
- Nearby businesses
- Other available evidence
Insurance coverage may also become important if the driver cannot be identified or does not have adequate insurance.
The available options depend on the applicable insurance policy and state law.
What If the Driver Was Uninsured?
An uninsured driver does not necessarily mean that no insurance-related recovery is possible.
Depending on the circumstances, the pedestrian may have potential options under uninsured motorist (UM) or other applicable insurance coverage.
A lawyer can review the available policies and circumstances to determine what potential sources of compensation exist.
How Much Is a Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth?
There is no universal settlement amount for pedestrian injury cases.
The potential value can depend on:
- Severity of the injuries
- Medical treatment
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Future earning capacity
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Evidence of liability
- Insurance coverage
- The pedestrian’s potential share of fault
- Applicable state law
For example, a pedestrian who suffers a temporary injury may have a substantially different claim from someone who suffers a permanent spinal cord or brain injury.
Online settlement calculators cannot reliably determine the value of an individual pedestrian injury case.
How Much Does a Pedestrian Injury Lawyer Cost?
Many personal injury lawyers use a contingency fee arrangement.
Under this arrangement, the attorney generally receives an agreed percentage of the recovery rather than charging a conventional hourly rate.
The exact percentage and treatment of case expenses vary by lawyer and jurisdiction.
Before signing an agreement, ask:
- What percentage is the attorney charging?
- Does the percentage change if a lawsuit is filed?
- How are litigation expenses handled?
- Are expenses deducted before or after the attorney fee?
- What happens if the case produces no recovery?
- Are medical liens deducted from the settlement?
Always review the written representation agreement carefully.
Evidence to Collect After a Pedestrian Accident
Evidence can be critical in determining how the accident occurred.
| Evidence | Why It May Matter |
| Police report | Documents information recorded after the accident |
| Photos of the scene | Shows road, crosswalk and traffic conditions |
| Injury photographs | Documents visible injuries |
| Medical records | Establishes diagnosis and treatment |
| Medical bills | Documents financial losses |
| Surveillance footage | May show the collision |
| Traffic-camera footage | May establish vehicle movements |
| Witness information | Can support disputed facts |
| Driver information | Identifies the potentially responsible party |
| Insurance information | Identifies potential coverage |
| Employment records | Helps establish lost income |
If you have photographs or video from the accident, preserve the original files rather than relying only on edited or compressed copies.
What Happens After Hiring a Pedestrian Injury Law Firm?
The process often looks like:
Initial consultation
↓
Investigation
↓
Evidence collection
↓
Medical documentation
↓
Insurance claim
↓
Settlement negotiations
↓
Lawsuit, if necessary
↓
Discovery
↓
Settlement or trial
Not every case reaches every stage.
Many personal injury cases resolve through settlement before trial. The American Bar Association notes that only a small percentage of personal injury actions proceed all the way to trial.
Pedestrian Accident Statute of Limitations
One of the most important issues after a pedestrian accident is determining the applicable statute of limitations.
There is no single nationwide deadline for pedestrian injury lawsuits. Each state establishes its own limitations periods, and different rules can apply depending on the type of claim.
The deadline can also be different when:
- A government entity is involved.
- The victim is a minor.
- The injury was discovered later.
- The claim involves wrongful death.
- Another specialized legal theory applies.
The American Bar Association notes that every state has statutes of limitations governing personal injury lawsuits and that some jurisdictions provide relatively short filing periods.
Because missing the applicable deadline can potentially prevent a lawsuit from proceeding, an injured pedestrian should determine the relevant deadline promptly.
How to Choose a Pedestrian Injury Law Firm
When researching law firms, consider more than advertising or settlement figures.
Experience With Pedestrian Cases
Ask whether the firm regularly handles pedestrian accident claims rather than primarily focusing on unrelated types of personal injury.
State Licensing
Make sure the attorney handling the matter is licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
Experience With Serious Injuries
If the accident caused a traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, permanent disability or another serious condition, ask whether the firm has experience handling comparable cases.
Insurance Experience
The lawyer should understand how liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and other potentially relevant insurance issues can affect the claim.
Trial Experience
Ask whether the attorney has experience litigating personal injury cases if settlement negotiations fail.
Communication
Find out:
- Who will handle the case?
- Who will communicate with you?
- How often will you receive updates?
- Can you speak directly with the attorney?
Questions to Ask a Pedestrian Injury Lawyer
Before hiring a firm, consider asking:
- How many pedestrian accident cases have you handled?
- Have you handled cases involving injuries similar to mine?
- What evidence should I preserve?
- What deadlines apply to my claim?
- Who could potentially be legally responsible?
- Could my own actions affect my recovery?
- What insurance policies might apply?
- How does your contingency fee work?
- What additional case expenses could I owe?
- Who will personally handle my case?
- What happens if the insurer refuses to settle?
- Do you have experience taking pedestrian injury cases to trial?
How to Find a Pedestrian Injury Law Firm Near You
People searching online commonly use terms such as:
- Pedestrian injury law firm near me
- Pedestrian accident lawyer near me
- Pedestrian accident attorney
- Pedestrian injury lawyer
- Pedestrian accident law firm
- Pedestrian accident attorneys
- Pedestrian hit by car lawyer
- Crosswalk accident lawyer
- Pedestrian injury attorneys
- Pedestrian accident lawyers
Because personal injury law is largely state-specific, location is important. A lawyer familiar with the jurisdiction where the accident occurred can evaluate the applicable negligence rules, insurance requirements and filing deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a pedestrian injury law firm do?
A pedestrian injury law firm represents people injured in pedestrian accidents. The firm may investigate the collision, determine potential liability, document damages, negotiate with insurance companies and pursue litigation when appropriate.
Can I sue if I was hit while crossing the street?
Potentially. Whether you can recover compensation depends on the circumstances, evidence, applicable traffic and personal injury laws, and whether another party was legally responsible.
Can pedestrians be partially at fault?
Yes. The effect of a pedestrian’s own fault varies by state. Comparative or contributory negligence rules may affect the amount or availability of recovery.
What if the driver was speeding?
Speeding can be relevant to liability and injury severity, but the specific facts must establish how the driver’s conduct contributed to the accident.
What if the driver was using a phone?
Evidence of distracted driving can potentially support a negligence claim if it establishes that the driver’s conduct contributed to the collision.
Can I recover compensation after a hit-and-run?
Potentially. The options depend on whether the driver can be identified and what insurance coverage is available. Uninsured motorist coverage may be relevant in some situations.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit?
The deadline depends on the state and type of claim. There is no single nationwide statute of limitations for all pedestrian injury cases.
Do pedestrian injury cases always go to trial?
No. Many personal injury claims settle before trial. Litigation may still be necessary when the parties cannot resolve liability or damages through negotiation.
Conclusion
A pedestrian accident can result in serious injuries, substantial medical expenses and complicated insurance and liability questions. A pedestrian injury law firm can help investigate the accident, preserve evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, document losses and pursue compensation through negotiation or litigation.
When choosing a law firm, consider its pedestrian accident experience, state licensing, handling of serious injury claims, communication process, litigation experience and fee agreement.
Legal Disclaimer: This article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Pedestrian accident laws, insurance requirements, negligence rules, damages and filing deadlines vary by state and by individual circumstances. Anyone involved in a serious pedestrian accident should consult a licensed attorney in the applicable jurisdiction for advice about their specific situation.
