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Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Harrisonburg, VA
Have you suffered severe injuries in a pedestrian accident in Harrisonburg? If so, you may feel overwhelmed and be unsure of the steps you need to take to regain control of your life. You need trusted legal guidance.
The personal injury attorney in Harrisonburg David Kendall is available to review the details of your pedestrian accident and discuss your legal options during a free and confidential consultation. A Virginia native, David has more than 25 years of legal experience. He developed a passion for seeking justice for injured people as a military attorney in the U.S. Marine Corps helping sick and wounded veterans seek compensation for service-related disabilities.
Since founding Kendall Law Firm in 2009, David Kendall has built a successful law practice helping injury victims throughout Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. He has recovered millions of dollars for clients and been recognized with a membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum because of his effective legal representation. If you’ve been hit by a car while walking in Harrisonburg, call (866) 590-6409 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team today.
Being A Pedestrian In Harrisonburg
Pedestrian accidents are unfortunately commonplace across Virginia and throughout the U.S. A pedestrian is killed every two hours, and one is injured every eight minutes in one 12-month period, according to federal statistics.
Harrisonburg has a lot of pedestrian traffic, especially in the area around James Madison University.
According to Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Traffic Records Electronic Data System (TREDS) data, traffic accidents involving pedestrians occurred at the following locations in Harrisonburg in 2019:
- High Street and Wolfe Street
- Market Street and Willow Street
- Paul Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way
- Port Republic Road and Neff Avenue
There were also pedestrian-involved accidents on Port Republic Road, Bluestone Drive, University Boulevard, Evelyn Byrd Avenue, Bradley Drive, Mosby Court, and Early Road.
To improve safety and prevent pedestrian accidents, the City of Harrisonburg has been making on-street and off-street improvements as part of a Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan to enhance the attractiveness of walking and biking in Harrisonburg. More than 20 pedestrian projects have been completed since the adoption of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan in 2010.
Pedestrian Safety For Students At James Madison University
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan approved by the Harrisonburg City Council overlaps with the James Madison University Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. This campus-wide planning initiative completed in 2014 details an interconnected network of sidewalks, and bicycle paths on campus and in the surrounding area.
In November 2011, WHSV reported that concerns about pedestrian safety increased after a student was struck by a bus while crossing the street. Harrisonburg Police told WHSV that eight pedestrians had been hit by cars in the city that year alone.
James Madison University notes several of the improvements that have been made for pedestrians:
- The city reprogrammed pedestrian crosswalk signs at the intersection of South Main Street and Grace Street to incorporate an all-stop phase, allowing pedestrians to cross the street without vehicles having a green light for going through the intersection or making right turns at the same time.
- The city installed signage above Bluestone Drive and Warsaw Avenue at South Main Street to make drivers aware of the “Delayed Left Turn” phase at the intersection.
- James Madison University performed work on the lighted crosswalk in front of Showker Hall on Bluestone Drive.
Signage and lighting won’t prevent all accidents, especially when a driver is being careless or reckless behind the wheel. A distracted, intoxicated, aggressive, or otherwise negligent driver could cause a serious accident near campus, and may be held liable for any injuries they cause.
What To Do If You Are Hit By A Car In Harrisonburg
If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian in an accident with a car, truck, or motorcycle, the steps you take afterward can play a large part in your ability to recover compensation later. In general, you should:
- Get medical care — Make sure that you receive an evaluation from a medical professional, even if you think that you were only shaken up. Remember that some injuries have delayed symptoms. A doctor’s report will document the link between your injuries and the crash. Both your health and your case could be adversely affected if there are delays in treatment.
- Report the accident to a law enforcement agency — Call the police and file a police report for your accident, even if another driver encourages you not to report the accident and promises to pay you out of pocket. Police reports become valuable resources in many personal injury cases and create a record of your accident.
- Get the driver’s insurance information — When a pedestrian accident involves a negligent driver, be sure to ask the driver involved for his or her driver’s license and insurance information. If a driver refuses to provide the information, the police should be able to obtain that information for you.
- Take photos — While you are waiting for medical attention or a police response, take as many photographs as you can of everything involved in the scene of your accident, including your injuries. You should take photos from lots of different angles and distances.
- Get contact Information from witnesses — Ask bystanders who witnessed the accident for their names and phone numbers and email addresses. This information could be very important if the at-fault driver and/or their insurance company denies liability.
- Contact an attorney immediately —The Kendall Law Firm devotes its entire practice to representing personal injury victims such as pedestrians struck by a car. Our job is to protect your rights and interests and aggressively pursue the fair compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Some victims who are seriously injured are unable to follow up on these recommendations. In such instances, you should ask a friend or family member to help out.
Who Can Be Held Responsible For Pedestrian Accidents?
Many pedestrian accidents are caused by negligent drivers, and it is often the driver who is responsible for the resulting damages. The insurance company for the negligent driver is unlikely to immediately admit liability and may claim the pedestrian was responsible for being hit by a car while walking.
If you are injured by a hit-and-run driver who flees the scene and cannot be identified, you may need to file a claim against your own auto insurance. The uninsured motorist (UM) provides bodily injury and property damage coverage if you are injured in a hit-and-run accident or an uninsured driver in Harrisonburg. All auto liability policies sold in Virginia must include UM coverage.
It is important to retain an experienced and aggressive Harrisonburg pedestrian injury attorney as soon as possible. You should never give any statements to the other driver’s insurance company without the guidance of a pedestrian accident attorney.
Statements obtained by insurance adjusters are frequently used by insurance companies to try to get victims to unknowingly admit to some degree of fault for their injuries. Such statements are then used to deny compensation.
If you hire a lawyer, you will have a skilled advocate dealing with insurance companies and protecting your interests. A lawyer can also thoroughly gather evidence to support your case, negotiate a full and fair settlement, or file a lawsuit when an insurer refuses to provide an adequate offer.
How Can A Harrisonburg Attorney Help And What Compensation Is Available?
The first thing that a lawyer is going to do is help you understand whether you have a valid pedestrian accident claim and what your legal options are.
A knowledgeable injury attorney will conduct an independent investigation to determine the cause of the pedestrian accident and identify the at-fault parties. The attorney will try to preserve all of the evidence relevant to your case.
After an investigation is completed, the attorney will estimate your losses related to the accident and submit a demand letter to the negligent party’s insurance company seeking monetary damages. Most insurers will initially refuse to pay what is requested. The lawyer will try to negotiate a just settlement or may seek justice in court if the insurer refuses to agree to a fair settlement.
Compensation may include reimbursement for medical bills for past, present and future treatment and rehab and lost pay. Restitution for pain and suffering and other forms of mental anguish is also possible. Each case is unique, however, so be sure to contact an experienced lawyer to discuss what kinds of compensation you might be owed.
Contact A Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
Were you hurt in a pedestrian accident in the Harrisonburg area? You should not be saddled with medical debt as a result of someone else’s carelessness. The dedicated pedestrian attorney at the Kendall Law Firm is here to help you seek just compensation to cover your medical bills and other losses. We are here to help you get back on your feet and put the accident behind you.
Our attorney at the Kendall Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means that we do not charge you a legal fee unless we get compensation for you. Call (866) 590-6409 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Harrisonburg pedestrian accident lawyer today.