Were you involved in a pedestrian accident in Raleigh, NC? You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, loss of quality of life, pain and suffering, and more. Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers can help you file a claim and fight for full accountability. Contact us today at (919) 876-3020 to schedule a free consultation.
Our Raleigh pedestrian accident attorneys have more than 190 years of combined experience and have recovered over $850 million for injured victims (see disclaimer below). We’re proud to serve North Carolinians who’ve been harmed by someone else’s carelessness. If you were injured while crossing the street, walking through a parking lot, or standing on a sidewalk, we’re here to help.
Why Hire Riddle & Riddle to Help With My Pedestrian Accident Claim in Raleigh, NC?
At Riddle & Riddle, we have a proven track record of winning complex injury cases. We know how insurance companies operate, and they know us, too. We don’t back down from tough cases, and we prepare every claim as if it’s going to trial. That approach gets results.
When you choose our award-winning Raleigh personal injury lawyers, you’ll get a legal team that has:
- Recovered significant settlements and court awards for clients (see disclaimer below).
- Recognition from Super Lawyers, Best Attorneys of America, The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and other prestigious legal organizations (see disclaimer below)
- Been serving North Carolina for over 40 years
- A thorough understanding of North Carolina law
You deserve a team that will treat your case like a priority from the start. If you were hit by a car while walking in Raleigh, North Carolina, we’re here to help you maximize the value of your claim.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation with our Raleigh pedestrian accident lawyers.
How Much Is My North Carolina Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
Every case is different, and your claim’s value depends on several factors. Some cases are worth thousands. Others may be worth millions (see disclaimer below). It all comes down to the evidence and how seriously your life has been affected.
Factors that can affect the value of your case include:
- The severity of your injuries
- The cost of your medical treatment
- Whether you’ll fully recover
- The impact on your ability to work
- The emotional and psychological toll
- Insurance policy terms/limits
We’ll review every detail of your accident and fight for the full amount you’re owed. You only get one shot at recovery; we’ll help make it count.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?
If someone else caused your injuries, you may be eligible to recover both economic and non-economic damages. These are meant to compensate you for the full extent of your losses, including those that are harder to quantify.
Economic damages may include:
- Medical bills and ongoing care
- Emergency transportation and hospital stays
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Prescription medications and rehabilitation
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
If your case goes to trial and involves gross negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may also be available. These are rare and are meant to punish the at-fault party.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Raleigh Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Hiring a lawyer with our firm costs you nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay if we recover compensation for you. If we don’t win compensation for you, you won’t owe us any attorney’s fees.
If we take on your case, we will be fully invested. We will cover the cost of investigating the accident, hiring experts, gathering records, and more. You can focus on healing while we handle the rest. We’ll discuss the details of the fee arrangement during your free consultation so that you know exactly what to expect.
What if the Driver Blames Me for My Pedestrian Accident?
It’s not uncommon for drivers and insurance companies to blame the pedestrian. They might say you were jaywalking, not paying attention, or crossing outside of a crosswalk.
In North Carolina, this kind of defense can be serious. The state follows a strict rule known as contributory negligence. If you’re found even 1% at fault for the accident, you could be barred from recovering any compensation.
Because of this harsh rule, it’s critical to work with a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer in Raleigh who knows how to fight back against these tactics. At Riddle & Riddle, we know how to challenge unfair accusations and protect your right to financial recovery.
Who Can Be Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?
In many cases, the driver of the vehicle is the primary party responsible. However, depending on how the accident happened, other people or entities may also share liability.
Examples of potentially liable parties include:
- A speeding, distracted, or drunk driver
- A driver who failed to yield at a crosswalk
- A trucking company that employed a careless commercial driver
- A property owner whose sidewalk was unsafe or poorly maintained
- A manufacturer that built a defective auto part or signal light
- A government entity responsible for dangerous road conditions
Determining fault in pedestrian accidents is often more complicated than it seems. We’ll conduct a detailed investigation to uncover the full picture and make sure every responsible party is held accountable.
What Are Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
Raleigh is growing rapidly, and with more people on the roads, pedestrian safety has become a major concern.
Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in the area include:
- Drivers failing to yield at crosswalks
- Speeding in residential areas or school zones
- Distracted driving, including texting or using GPS
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Making unsafe left or right turns at intersections
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Poor visibility due to weather or darkness
- Lack of marked crosswalks or pedestrian signals
In many cases, these accidents occur even when the pedestrian is doing everything right. If a careless driver caused your injuries, our lawyers are ready to fight for you.
We’ll Fight for Compensation for All of Your Pedestrian Accident Injuries
When a vehicle hits a person with no protection, the results can be catastrophic. Even a low-speed impact can lead to long-lasting or life-threatening injuries.
Our team handles pedestrian cases involving:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head injuries and concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Severe road rash or skin lacerations
- Amputations or crushed limbs
- The wrongful death of a loved one
We will take the time to fully understand the impact your injuries have had, not just physically, but financially and emotionally as well. That’s the only way to pursue full compensation under North Carolina law.
What Is Negligence, and How Do I Prove It?
Most pedestrian accident claims are based on negligence. That means someone failed to act with reasonable care, and their actions (or inaction) caused your injuries.
To hold someone legally responsible for a pedestrian crash, you must prove four elements:
- Duty of care: The driver had a legal duty to act with caution, like yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks.
- Breach of duty: The driver failed to meet that duty, such as by speeding, texting, or running a red light.
- Causation: Their actions were the direct and proximate cause of your injury.
- Damages: You suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result.
Proving negligence requires strong evidence, such as police reports, surveillance footage, eyewitness statements, and medical records. At Riddle & Riddle, we know what to look for and how to build a compelling case.
What Can a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Do for Me?
When you hire a pedestrian accident lawyer, you can expect them to:
- Conduct a private investigation into your case
- Determine who is liable for causing the accident
- Handle negotiations with the insurance company
- Calculate the full extent of your damages
- Take your case to trial if a settlement cannot be reached
Personal injury victims who hire a lawyer often recover higher compensation than those who try to manage their case on their own.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in North Carolina?
Under North Carolina law, you typically have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If someone you love passed away in a pedestrian crash, the deadline for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years.
Missing the statute of limitations can mean losing your right to recover anything. That’s why it’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. We can help you meet all necessary deadlines and preserve critical evidence.
Contact Our Raleigh Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
A pedestrian accident can change your life in an instant and leave you with a number of debilitating consequences all at once. Let Riddle & Riddle handle your legal claim and advocate for you.
We’ve helped countless clients recover after devastating accidents across the state. With more than $850 million won and 190 years of combined experience (see disclaimer below), we know how to get the results you need and deserve.
Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation with a Raleigh pedestrian accident lawyer.