Have your or a lOved one been injured in a pedestrian accident?
Pedestrian accidents are not uncommon in Goldsboro, and the consequences can be devastating and even deadly. If you’ve been injured, a pedestrian accident lawyer at Riddle & Riddle can help.
For a FREE consultation with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney, please call (919) 778-9700.
The consultation is free, and we don’t get paid unless you do. If we don’t recover compensation for you in your pedestrian accident case, you won’t pay a dime in attorney fees. It’s as simple as that.
Call (919) 778-9700 and let’s review your claim.
We are the Goldsboro personal injury lawyer you can trust to honestly asses your personal injury claim. We understand the intricacies of personal injury law and can assist you with a personal injury lawsuit.
Our personal injury lawyers have been serving injured victims in central and eastern North Carolina for more than 35 years. Our attorneys have over 220+ years of combined legal experience and have secured more than $600 million in total compensation for victims of others’ negligence since 2000 alone (see disclaimer below).
Injured in Goldsboro? Contact Us Today!
Pedestrian Accidents in Goldsboro, NC
Pedestrian accidents are unfortunately not uncommon. In 2019, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reported 11 pedestrian accidents in Goldsboro.
Across the entire state, NCODT reported 231 fatalities in pedestrian accidents in 2019.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for a pedestrian accident injury claim is typically three years from the date of injury.
In death cases, however, plaintiffs typically have only two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
There are limited exceptions to these rules, and an experienced pedestrian accident attorney can help evaluate your case and ensure that you file your injury or death claim within the allowed timeframe.
Proving Fault in a Pedestrian Accident Case
Liability is often disputed in pedestrian accident cases, and it is important that victims consult with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer who can help lead a comprehensive investigation. North Carolina is a “contributory negligence” state, so if a defendant can prove that a plaintiff was even partially responsible for the accident, the plaintiff is barred from recovering compensation.
An experienced pedestrian accident attorney will examine all types of evidence in order to prove liability, including:
- Witness testimony
- Photos of the crash scene, including vehicle damage, debris, skid marks, and injuries
- Video surveillance and dash cam footage
- The official police report
- Accident reconstructionist testimony
- Medical records
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can be catastrophic and are often deadly. In fact, in North Carolina, roughly 10 percent of pedestrians involved in motor vehicle accidents were killed in 2019, according to NCDOT.
Common pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions
- Crush injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis and semi-paralysis
- Loss of limbs (amputations)
- Shoulder injuries
- Hand injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
In more severe cases, pedestrian accidents can result in injuries that keep victims from working — or returning to their jobs altogether. In these cases, a plaintiff may file a claim for damages including lost wages and loss of future income.
Damages Available in Pedestrian Accident Cases
The consequences of a pedestrian accident can last a lifetime. Multiple damages are available to victims of others’ negligence, including:
- Medical bills — compensation in a pedestrian accident case may cover expensive medical bills, including future treatment costs
- Lost wages — these damages can compensate the victim for time off work
- Loss of future income — serious injuries may prevent a victim from returning to work (or a similar type of work) and compensation may be available to make up for lost future earning potential
- Pain and suffering — these damages are available for emotional trauma, permanent scarring, or loss of consortium (companionship or sexual relations with a partner or spouse)
- Punitive damages — in cases involving “gross negligence,” a jury may award these damages to punish a defendant for “willful or wonton” misconduct
What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, the first and most important thing to do is to call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. Not only will this help protect your health and safety, but medical records will serve as important evidence in a potential pedestrian accident claim.
Follow these tips to protect your health and safety, as well as your legal rights, after a pedestrian accident:
- Call 911 and seek immediate medical attention
- Talk with potential witnesses and get their contact information
- Take photos of the crash scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks, debris, road signage and marking, and any injuries
- Talk with the law enforcement officer, remembering that anything you do or say can be used against you
- Do NOT give a recorded statement to the insurance company without first talking with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer
- Call a pedestrian accident lawyer to evaluate your claim and review your best available legal options
At Riddle & Riddle, we advise our clients never to admit fault or apologize for an accident, even if the circumstances are at first unclear. Insurance companies and defense counsel will often use victims’ initial statements against them to deny claims or avoid paying compensation.
Talk with a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, a personal injury lawyer at Riddle & Riddle can help. We’ve been serving clients from our convenient Goldsboro location since 1985. Call (919) 778-9700 today for a free consultation.
We’re also available for free consultations by phone, email, text, and video conference. The consultation is always free, and there is no obligation.
Because we work on a contingency basis, you won’t pay anything upfront — and there are no attorney fees unless we win your pedestrian accident case and you receive compensation.
Call (919) 778-9700 and let’s review your claim.
Our Results
Since 1985, our team has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for victims of pedestrian accidents (see disclaimer below). We would love to help you and your loved ones however we can.
“You’ll walk in the front door as a client, but leave as family. They’re the absolute best.”
-Susan S., Riddle & Riddle client
Led by attorney Gene Riddle, personal injury lawyers have been recognized for their experience and results by many prestigious organizations and awards, including (see disclaimer below):
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (Gene Riddle)
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel (Gene Riddle)
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum (Gene Riddle)
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum (Gene Riddle, Alex Riddle, Darren Dawson)
- The Litigator Award (Gene Riddle)
- AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell (Gene Riddle and Adam Smith)
- Super Lawyers (Gene Riddle, Adam Smith, Darren Dawson)
Justice Counts for those injured in pedestrian accidents, and we are ready to help however we can.
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.
*** Disclaimer: An attorney must meet certain requirements to join these organizations or receive these awards. For more information on Membership Criteria for Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the Litigator Award, and other memberships, awards, and accolades, please visit our Membership Criteria page. These awards and memberships should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of a similar result. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.