What Are Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in North Carolina?

October 31, 2024 | By Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers
What Are Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in North Carolina?

Being struck by a vehicle while walking as a pedestrian in North Carolina is often a traumatic and terrifying experience for most people, leaving them struggling to recover from detrimental physical injuries, emotional suffering, and mounting financial hardships. 

Getting the help of a compassionate and well-respected pedestrian accident lawyer in North Carolina will help make the distressing aftermath of your accident much easier for you and your loved ones to manage. 

Call our trusted team of attorneys at Riddle & Riddle Accident Injury Lawyers today at (919) 778-9700. Let us help you get the care and legal guidance you deserve after your upsetting pedestrian accident. 

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Pedestrian Accidents in North Carolina

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 7,522 pedestrians died in a fatal accident in the United States in one recent year. More than 67,000 pedestrians were injured in accidents nationwide that same year. The NHTSA calculates that one pedestrian dies every 70 minutes in the United States. 

Pedestrians crossing a busy street in a city, highlighting potential accident risks in North Carolina.

The North Carolina Office of State Human Resources reports that 243 pedestrians died in the state in one recent year. An additional 2,720 pedestrians succumbed to a suspected or possible injury from an accident that same year. The department reports that a pedestrian in North Carolina suffered a fatality once every 81 minutes that same year. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that fatal pedestrian injuries trend higher during the second half of the year, with most pedestrian fatalities occurring on high-capacity urban roadways.

Data from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) demonstrates that most fatal pedestrian accidents occur in the evening or after dark, typically between 6 p.m. and 12 a.m.

The NLM cites that pedestrian accidents usually happen more often in specific types of areas and locations:

  • Non-intersections - Drivers typically do not expect a pedestrian to be in the middle of the roadway where there is no intersection and are commonly more distracted behind the wheel when not at an intersection. The NLM reports that three-fourths of all pedestrian fatalities happen at non-intersection parts of the roadway. 
  • Urban areas - It is more common for pedestrians to walk from one place to another in an urban setting. However, this puts pedestrians more frequently on or near the same roadway as moving vehicles. According to the NLM, an estimated two-thirds of all pedestrian deaths happen in urban areas. 
  • Rural areas - reports that 243 pedestrians died in the state in one recent year. An additional 2,720 pedestrians succumbed to a suspected or possible injury from an accident that same year. The department reports that a pedestrian in North Carolina suffered a fatality once every 81 minutes that same year. 

If you or your loved one has suffered a pedestrian accident in North Carolina, call our dedicated team today at Riddle & Riddle Accident Injury Lawyers to get the help you deserve. 

What Is My Pedestrian Accident Injury Worth?

Suffering a painful pedestrian accident often results in severe physical pain, emotional anguish, and financial burdens. 

If you were involved in a pedestrian accident in North Carolina, you can recover compensation for all of your damages, including 

  • Physical pain
  • Mental anguish
  • Property damage
  • Medical expenses, both past and future
  • Lost wages 
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Loss of the ability to use a body part
  • Partial or permanent disability 
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Loss of consortium or companionship
  • Punitive damages
  • Wrongful death damages
  • Any other associated expenses

Call our team of dedicated attorneys at Riddle & Riddle Accident Injury Lawyers today to get help recovering maximum compensation for your damages. 

What Are the Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in North Carolina? 

Pedestrian accidents are commonly traumatic and disheartening experiences that leave most survivors working through severe physical pain and emotional distress. 

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) identifies the following situations as common causes of pedestrian accidents:

  • Intoxication
  • Impaired vision 
  • Elderly citizens in crosswalks
  • Young children in a roadway 
  • Lack of pedestrian walkways 

Additional common causes of pedestrian accidents include

  • Drivers not obeying traffic laws 
  • Distracted drivers 
  • Drivers making left-hand turns 

If you or your loved ones have suffered from a pedestrian accident in North Carolina, call our trusted team of assertive attorneys at Riddle & Riddle Accident Injury Lawyers today. Let us help you and your loved ones get the assistance you deserve. 

What Are Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in North Carolina?

Getting struck by a vehicle while walking as a pedestrian in North Carolina can have severe negative impacts on a person’s life and well-being. 

Common injuries caused by pedestrian accidents include

  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Road rash
  • Bruises and contusions
  • Soft tissue damage, including strains and sprains to muscles, tendons, and ligaments
  • Fractured or shattered bones
  • A crushed body part or limb, which could result in amputation
  • Brain injuries, ranging from a mild concussion to a more severe and long-term traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injuries, which often lead to partial or complete paralyzation and can result in premature death
  • Internal bleeding or internal organ damage
  • Post-traumatic stress 
  • Wrongful death

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Why Choose Riddle & Riddle Accident Injury Lawyers for My Pedestrian Accident Case?

Getting injured in a pedestrian accident in North Carolina due to another person’s negligence or recklessness is often a painful and upsetting experience for most people and their loved ones. 

At Riddle & Riddle Accident Injury Lawyers, we know how challenging and complicated the aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be, especially when interacting with the insurance company for your claim. 

With over 39 years of serving our North Carolina community, our team of compassionate lawyers strives to help our neighbors attain the justice and compensation they deserve after their detrimental personal injury accidents. 

Our team of diligent and trustworthy lawyers at Riddle & Riddle Accident Injury Lawyers have over 200 years of combined legal experience. We value our ability to assist those in our local communities who need our help when battling against insurance companies and big businesses when trying to seek justice. 

We fight to preserve, promote, and protect our clients’ unalienable rights in their pursuit of justice by representing those injured or wrongfully killed in accidents caused by another party’s negligence or recklessness. 

Our attorneys advocate for our clients, fighting their legal battles while they and their loved ones focus on regaining their health and well-being. 

Our bilingual staff is fluent in both English and Spanish, making us more accessible to those who would prefer to discuss their unique situation in either language. 

We have a successful track record of delivering dedicated results to our clients with over $800 million in compensation recovered, including

  • $9,450,000 for a truck accident that resulted in a wrongful death
  • $5,250,000 for an accident that resulted in life-altering injuries
  • $3,600,000 for a rear-end collision that resulted in a wrongful death
  • $1,900,000 for a pedestrian struck in a parking lot
  • $1,625,000 for a pedestrian struck while crossing a highway
  • $140,000 for a pedestrian accident

Our clients are often thankful for our help with their cases. We have over 850 five-star reviews on Google from our satisfied clients. 

Melissa was amazed by how professional, patient, sweet, knowledgeable, and understanding our team was when working on her accident case. She appreciated how well we handled all the issues with her case, allowing her to relax and focus on her recovery and well-being. 

Christopher was happy with our outstanding service throughout his entire claim process. We answered his questions thoroughly and honestly and maintained regular contact with him, checking in on his physical and mental well-being. 

Wanda enjoyed our work with her throughout her entire claim process. We maintained a warm and friendly environment as we helped her with her case. She was grateful for the respect and professional treatment our team delivered while we made sure she understood every step of the process and addressed her concerns. 

We offer all our clients a free consultation that allows our reliable team to learn more about you and your situation and help guide you on the best path forward. 

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation at one of our 11 convenient locations throughout North Carolina:

  • Goldsboro - On North Spence Avenue behind Berkeley Mall
  • Raleigh - In Crabtree Valley off Marriott Drive
  • Durham - Across from Bull City Burger and Brewery on East Parrish Street, just one block south of Durham City Hall
  • Jacksonville - At the corner of Henderson Drive and Cardinal Drive in Willow Woods
  • Kinston - On North Queen Street at the corner of West Grainger Avenue, across from First Citizens Bank 
  • Fayetteville - Near Highland Country Club on Raeford Road
  • Greenville - Across from Five Points Plaza on Evans Street
  • Greensboro - Off Green Valley Road near the Green Valley Medical Center
  • Charlotte - Near the roundabout at the intersection of Ikea Boulevard and McCullough Drive
  • Wilmington - North of Greenlawn Memorial Park on South 17th Street 
  • Winston-Salem - On St George Square Court, just off Hanes Mall Boulevard 

Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our dedicated team members at Riddle & Riddle Accident Injury Lawyers. 

What Do I Do After a Pedestrian Accident in North Carolina?

After suffering a pedestrian accident, it is imperative to take the proper steps to defend your health, protect your rights, and maximize your chances of recovering compensation for your damages.   

Seek and Follow Medical Advice

Getting struck by a vehicle while walking as a pedestrian often causes a person to suffer painful physical injuries and devastating emotional trauma. 

Seek medical care immediately after your accident, even if you think you may have a minor road rash. Some injuries take hours, days, or weeks to manifest. 

Follow all medical advice and treatment plans given to you by your medical team.

Maintain Documentation

Maintain thorough documentation for all items associated with your pedestrian accident, including

  • A journal of what you remember from your accident, including any pain or suffering that followed
  • Photos or videos from the scene, if available
  • Contact information from any witnesses to your accident
  • A copy of the police report
  • Doctors’ notes and medical treatment plans

Track Expenses

Track all expenses from your pedestrian accident, including 

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Property damage 

Hire an Attorney

Close-up of legal books and gavel, emphasizing the importance of accident law after a pedestrian accident.

Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your pedestrian accident to ensure you meet all of North Carolina's applicable statutes of limitations for your case. 

Finding the help of a compassionate and knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyer will help you protect your rights and recover maximum compensation for all of your damages. 

Call our dependable and trusted attorneys at Riddle & Riddle Accident Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free case evaluation. 

Bring the following items with you to our first meeting:

  • All medical treatment plans
  • Your documentation list
  • A list of expenses 

How Do I File a Pedestrian Insurance Claim in North Carolina?  

Handling the insurance claim process alone after suffering a pedestrian accident injury in North Carolina often leaves most people feeling overwhelmed, confused, and distressed. 

It is crucial to begin working with an experienced and well-versed pedestrian accident attorney before engaging in any conversations with the insurance company about your case. 

Insurance companies often try multiple methods that work against the claimant, such as stalling or dragging out the claim process, reducing the amount of compensation it is required to pay, or denying the claim altogether. 

A competent and experienced attorney on your team will help protect you from the insurance company's strategic tactics. They will help shorten the length of time your insurance claim process takes. 

A trusted and reliable attorney will manage your insurance claim process and all communication with the insurance company, diligently prove your accident's fault lies with those responsible, protect your rights, and maximize your chances of recovering compensation for your damages. 

Contact our attorneys today at Riddle & Riddle Accident Injury Lawyers. Let us manage the complicated and lengthy insurance claim process for you and your loved ones so you can focus on getting your life and health back on track. 

Work With a Knowledgeable Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Most people feel overwhelmed and distressed after being in a pedestrian accident in North Carolina. 

Getting the help of a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer will ease the stress of managing this complicated and painful situation. 

Contact our team at Riddle & Riddle Accident Injury Lawyers today at (919) 778-9700 for your complimentary case evaluation. Let us manage your complex insurance claim so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

Schedule A Free Consultation