Pedestrian and Motorcycle Accidents in Lancaster PA

Pedestrian and Motorcycle Accidents in Lancaster PA

In 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, every 85 minutes, an American pedestrian dies due to a traffic accident.

 

Nobody chooses to be in a pedestrian accident, and, with the proper care—both from drivers and pedestrians—many of these accidents can be avoided. But, if you or a loved one has been involved in this type of accident, it may be time to consult a Lancaster PA Pedestrian Accident Attorney.

 

A pedestrian accident is any accident involving a motor vehicle—car, truck, motorcycle, van, SUV or otherwise—striking a person who is not also in a vehicle. This person may be walking, jogging, skating, in a wheelchair, or even sitting alongside the road. Automobiles, motorcycles, and even cyclists can find themselves on either end of these tragic accidents. It’s a pressing issue all over the country, including Lancaster PA.

 

“Walking is a basic human activity, and almost everyone is a pedestrian at one time or another.” – Zegeer, Stutts, et al., 2004

 

Lancaster Pedestrian Accident Attorneys note that, while not as common as automobile collisions, accidents involving pedestrians are almost always more severe. Pedestrians, at the whims of the enormous size and power of motor vehicles, are far more likely to sustain serious life-threatening injuries or even be killed.

 

How to Avoid Accidents as a Pedestrian

 

• Make sure you only cross the street at marked crossovers or crosswalks.
• Do not cross between parked cars.
• Attempt to flag the attention of drivers before you cross. If the driver is stopped and waiting for you to cross, try to make eye contact with them.
• When it is dark, wear bright colors or reflective wear.
• Never, ever cross at a red light.
• Do not cross if the Do Not Walk symbol is lit up.

 

 

How to Avoid Pedestrian Accidents as a Driver

 

• Be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to the road. Check your mirrors often, and try to scan conditions 20-30 feet in front of you. If you see somebody behaving oddly or darting into the street, be prepared to slow down and avoid them.
• Do not assume that pedestrians will stop walking if they are jaywalking, especially if they are texting or talking on their phones.
• Follow the speed limit. Speeding accounts for a significant portion of all accidents, not just those related to pedestrians. The faster you are going, the more difficult it is to control your vehicle and stop if need be.
• Cut out distractions. These days, there are plenty of distractions present in our vehicles. Cell phones, GPS, music…at every turn there is opportunity to take our eyes off the road. To drive safely, keep your phone in your purse or pocket on silent mode, and have your GPS relay directions out loud so you do not have to take your eyes off the road. In 2018 alone, 2,800 people died and another 400,000 were injured in the United States because of distracted driving.

 

Can A Pedestrian be At Fault in an Accident?

The answer may surprise you, but yes.

 

We’ve all heard the expression the pedestrian always has the right-of-way. But it’s not necessarily true.

 

Pedestrians, like all citizens, must exercise reasonable caution while walking across crosswalks or parallel to roadways. In some cases, pedestrians may be found to be acting negligently.

 

Negligence is a “failure to exercise appropriate and/or ethical ruled care expected to be exercised amongst specified circumstances.”

 

Some examples of pedestrian negligence are:

 

• Jaywalking – crossing the street at unmarked crossing point during traffic
• Attempting to cross the street under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Crossing the street while texting or looking down at a phone
• Purposefully acting in a disruptive manner towards automobiles or motorcycles

 

This means that if you decide to consume alcohol and cross a busy intersection late at night, you may not be entitled to compensation if you are involved in an accident with an automobile.

It’s everyone’s job to stay safe.

 

 

If You or a Loved One has been the Victim of a Pedestrian Accident

Insurance companies may not always be in your corner. In fact, it’s in their best interests not to be, as they are always trying to minimize their losses. In all likelihood, you are entitled to more financial compensation than an insurance company is offering. That’s why it is critical to seek the legal aid of a Lancaster Pedestrian Accident Lawyer.

 

Car accidents can have a lasting impact on your well-being. You may experience physical ramifications, including:

 

• Internal injuries, such as rib fractures, internal bleeding, or damage to internal organs
• Minor but painful scrapes, bruises and cuts
• Pelvic injuries due to where the vehicle made contact
• Spinal Cord Injuries that can have life-altering consequences such as disability
• Bone Fractures on any parts of the body the vehicle comes in contact with
• Lacerations or Burns

 

Even if you are lucky enough to avoid physical injury, you may also be susceptible to emotional damage. The top three mental conditions related to car accidents are Acute Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Major Depressive Disorder.

 

Car accidents are frightening—the sounds, the feelings, the way everyday life shifts to tragedy in mere seconds. These experiences can have a lasting impact on our mental health, our ability to return to the streets, work, or be with our families. When you’re in a state of distress, it can be difficult to make important decisions related to your wellbeing. That’s where Lancaster Pedestrian Accident Lawyers can help.

 

5 ways a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer can be help you.

1. Experience: Lancaster Pedestrian Accident Lawyers have taken on hundreds of cases similar to yours. They understand the specifics of Traffic Law and the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code therefore will be better at anticipating and acting on your needs.
2. Relief: If you’ve sustained injuries in an accident, your focus should be on rest and recovery until you are back to full health. You will likely be too occupied or stressed to take care of your legal rights. Top Lancaster Pedestrian Accident Lawyers work tirelessly to ensure that your recovery goes as smoothly as possible and all of your financial compensation needs are met.
3. Clarity: Insurance can be confusing to navigate even when you are not in physical or emotional distress. Companies will often use legal jargon to confuse or dissuade you from claiming the financial compensation you are rightfully entitled to. Lancaster’s best pedestrian accident attorneys will take these worries, and communications, off your hands.
4. Risk-Free: Most Pedestrian Accident Lawyers have a contingency fee. This means they do not get paid unless you get paid, so there aren’t any financial risks to seeking out counsel.

 

1. Emotional Support and Relentless Legal Advocacy: Top Lancaster Pedestrian Accident Attorneys must be fully apprised and aware of the trauma associated with pedestrian accidents and there to give you peace-of-mind and procure maximum compensation for your lost wages, out-of-pocket medical and other expenses, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement and loss of life’s enjoyment.

 

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles cause upwards to 35% more deaths in America than regular automobile accidents.

 

It’s no secret that operating a motorcycle can be dangerous even while following traffic laws. You may be more protected than a person crossing the street, but not by much.

 

Motorcycles may be a safety-risk, but they are also an important interest to many Americans. The US Department of Transportation registered 8.3 million motorcycles on the road in 2019, and the figures are climbing every year.

 

So, how do you stay safe while also enjoying your motorcycle? Here are some important safety tips.

 

How to Avoid Accidents as a Motorcyclist

• Ride in a group of friends, not alone. Drivers will be much more likely to see you.
• Wear bright-colored clothing like orange, yellow, or white.
• Install a loud muffler so even if they can’t see you, they’ll hear you!
• Always, always wear a helmet.
• Avoid the blind spots of vehicles when passing or approaching.
• Drive the speed limit and follow regular traffic precautions.
• Don’t drive drunk. In 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 26% of motorcyclists who died were under the influence of alcohol.

  

So You’ve been in a Motorcycle Accident

The first thing you should do after being involved in a motorcycle accident, after making sure that your medical and health needs are attended to, is try to collect as much evidence as possible related to the accident. Are there any eyewitnesses around? Security cameras? If you are not seriously injured, do your best to survey your surroundings. Do not, under any circumstance, admit fault to the driver of the automobile. Take photos if you have any means to do so.

 

Even if your injuries seem minor, be sure to allow a medical professional to evaluate you so there is record of your injuries. Without this, it may be very difficult to establish that you suffered the injuries in the motorcycle accident should symptoms related to the accident pop up months later.

 

Lastly, get in touch with a Lancaster Pedestrian Accident Lawyer. Top Pedestrian Accident Lawyers know the ropes and how to best build your case for maximum compensation. Their reputation with insurance companies, skillful advocacy of your legal rights and trial experience are what you need to make sure you and your family are protected from:

 

• Personal property damage or loss
• Medical expenses and continued medical care
• Lost wages and/or earning potential
• Disability
• Physical or emotional suffering

 

You are Not Alone

If you or a loved one is involved in a pedestrian or motorcycle accident, the best thing you can do is seek out the law firm that has been voted #1 in Lancaster County for the past 8 years as part of Lancaster County Magazine’s Annual Survey – Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C.. Our Lancaster Pedestrian Accident and Motorcycle Lawyers have a 99%+ success rate in handling pedestrian accident and motorcycle accident claims and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our Lancaster neighbors.

 

The attorneys at Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C. consist of two former Lancaster County Assistant District Attorneys and a former Philadelphia insurance defense attorney, so we are court-tested and ready to work hard for you. We handle everything, from start to finish, making sure that you have peace of mind while we do battle with big insurance. Getting the medical care and treatment you need and taking care of your family are what you should be focusing on as we use our experience, skill and resources to build a strong and valuable bodily injury claim for you.

 

The award-winning and nationally recognized team at Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C. is available 24/7 and can be reached by dialing 1-800-HURT-NOW