Denver Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

The number of pedestrian accidents in Denver has been steadily increasing for several years.

A recent report from the Denver Public Works showed that there were 416 crashes that resulted in 236 injuries and 16 deaths in one year alone.

A pedestrian accident can result in lifelong injuries, excruciating pain, and significant financial losses. Drivers have a responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and to drive with care in all circumstances, especially near pedestrians. When drivers fail to drive safely, they

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Denver, the experienced, knowledgeable, and compassionate legal team at the Olson Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to help. We realize that this is a very overwhelming and difficult time, let us take the burden off of your shoulders.

For the past decade, Sean Olson has been helping  Colorado and Wyoming injury victims receive the justice and compensation they deserve and that has helped them move forward with their lives after it has been turned upside down due to someone else’s negligence. But what makes Sean and his team unique is that they truly put their clients first.

The Olson Personal Injury Lawyers team has taken an oath and makes a promise to their clients that they will do anything within their power to help them heal, help them understand, and to help them feel heard.  The team has come to know that what is most important for their clients is that they feel heard, that they are not treated like a number, and that they feel taken care of.  That’s what the team at Olson Personal Injury Lawyers does. There is a personal connection between the firm and their clients.

This is why Sean has a 10/10 AVVO rating, has been named as a Colorado Super Lawyer, and is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum – a group of lawyers across the nation who have successfully won multi-million dollar judgments on behalf of their clients. injury victims in Denver and throughout Colorado and Wyoming

At Olson Personal Injury Lawyers their team has the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to pursue and achieve a successful resolution in your case. To set up a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced and compassionate Denver accident attorney, call your Olson Personal Injury Lawyers team today at 720-730-4325 or visit our contact page on our website at www.olsonlawfirm.com

Types of Pedestrian Accidents in Denver

While there is any number of ways a pedestrian accident can occur, most of these crashes tend to follow a few basic patterns.

Some common types of pedestrian accidents include:

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Denver

Pedestrians may sometimes be partially to blame for an accident, but more often than not, the crash is the result of negligent or reckless behavior on the part of the driver.

Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents are:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs – Drivers who are abusing alcohol or drugs have slower reflexes and impaired judgment, making it more difficult for them to see a pedestrian in their path and react appropriately. In some cases, a driver may even pass out at the wheel after heavily abusing drugs or alcohol. Even some prescription and over-the-counter medications can have a negative effect on a driver’s performance.
• Distracted driving – Distractions take a driver’s attention away from the road in front of them, making it harder for them to see and avoid pedestrians in their path. Talking on the phone, sending a text message, eating or drinking, and adjusting the music are all common forms of distracted driving.
• Fatigued driving – Drivers need to be alert and engaged while driving if they want to avoid causing an accident, but far too many drivers push the limits and drive when they should be resting. Fatigued drivers can’t react to sudden obstacles as quickly as drivers who are well-rested. Extreme fatigue can lead a driver to fall asleep at the wheel, putting themselves and everyone around them at risk.
• Speeding or other aggressive driving behavior – Speeding through a busy street makes it much more difficult for drivers to see and avoid nearby pedestrians. Speeding also exacerbates injuries when accidents occur, as cars hit with greater force when they’re moving faster. Other reckless driving behaviors like aggressive lane changes, failure to use turn signals, and running red lights also put pedestrians at risk.
• Inclement weather – Rain, snow, fog, and other types of bad weather create hazards for pedestrians on the road and require drivers to take additional precautions. First, rain, snow, and fog can make it more difficult for drivers to see anyone around them. Second, bad weather makes for more slippery roads, which makes it harder for cars to stop quickly to avoid running into pedestrians. Driving in such conditions makes it the driver’s responsibility to slow down to a safe speed so that the driver can react if a pedestrian crosses the driver’s path.
• Defective road design – A lack of proper signage, poorly designed crosswalks and intersections, and other issues can make it harder for drivers to see and avoid nearby pedestrians.

Common Injuries Caused by Pedestrian Accidents in Denver

Pedestrian accidents in Denver often result in more severe injuries because pedestrians have little protection from the force of a crash, unlike in a typical car crash.

Some common injuries from pedestrian accidents include:

Compensation for Victims of Denver Pedestrian Accidents

If you decide to file an insurance claim or lawsuit after a pedestrian accident, you will have to prove that the driver was at-fault for the accident that led to your injuries. If you provide enough evidence that the other party is liable for your accident, you could receive compensation for your injuries and other losses. Examples include:

• The cost of your past and future medical bills, such as doctors’ visits, prescription drugs, hospital stays, surgical procedures, lab work, diagnostic imaging like X-rays and MRIs, physical therapy, and the cost of transportation to and from your various appointments
• The value of any lost wages due to your injuries
• Your reduced ability to earn a living, if your injuries result in a permanent disability
• The value of any property that was destroyed or damaged in the accident
• The pain and suffering you’ve endured because of your injuries
• Mental anguish and diminished quality of life because of your injuries

If the driver who hit you flees the scene and can’t be found, it can be more challenging but not impossible to recover compensation. Even as a pedestrian, you might be able to recover benefits under your auto insurance policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Children and other members of your household may also be covered by your auto policy’s UM coverage. A pedestrian accident attorney can help you find the best path forward if this happens to you.

What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?

A pedestrian accident is a frightening and traumatic experience, but you should do your best to stay calm if you’re involved in a collision.

Here’s what to do to protect your health and your injury claim in the days and weeks following your accident:

• Follow doctors’ treatment plans. The most important thing you can do following your accident is to seek medical care for your injuries, no matter how minor they may seem at first. Then, continue to attend your follow-up appointments and follow the doctors’ orders. Failing to do so can hurt your case, as the insurance company may argue that you’re not as injured as you claim.
• Gather documentation and evidence. Save any documents related to your case, such as receipts, medical bills and records, pay stubs, accident photos, and anything else pertaining to the accident and your related medical care. These valuable documents will help you to show the extent of your injuries and build a case for full compensation.
• Keep a journal. In Colorado, you’re entitled to pursue non-economic damages, such as the pain and suffering you have endured since your accident and injuries occurred. Keeping a journal that tracks your pain, hardships, and mental anguish, such as depression, on a daily basis can help you to demonstrate the impact of your injuries.
• Stay off social media. The other party’s insurance company will be looking for any reason to undermine your claim. They may even be looking at your social media updates as a source of information. It’s best not to discuss your case with others following your accident, which includes refraining from posting on social media. Even a seemingly innocent post could be taken out of context and used against you.
• Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. A pedestrian accident attorney can help you gather and preserve the evidence you need to pursue the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries. A lawyer can also help you navigate the claims process and ensure you don’t say or do anything that might jeopardize your case.

Should I Talk to the Driver’s Insurance Company After a Pedestrian Accident?

Generally speaking, you should avoid talking to the driver’s insurance company at least until you’ve had the opportunity to talk with a pedestrian accident lawyer. It is no exaggeration to say that insurance adjusters are well-trained interrogators. They are very good at making people admit to facts and responsibility that simply may not exist at all. That can impact the value of your claim, and may even undermine your claim entirely.

Denver Pedestrian Laws

While operators of cars and other vehicles have a responsibility to look out for pedestrians, there are also laws that govern how pedestrians are supposed to behave, where they can legally cross a street, and so on.

Here are a few of the key laws governing pedestrians in Denver:

• Pedestrians need to obey traffic signs and signals, as well as cross at marked crosswalks and other intersections.
• Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to traffic when crossing at any place other than a crosswalk or intersection.
• Pedestrians must walk on the sidewalk when one is available and on the left side of the street facing oncoming traffic when a sidewalk is not available.
• Pedestrians are not allowed to solicit from medians or anywhere near a highway, including highway exits and entrances. Soliciting is also prohibited if doing so interferes with the normal flow of traffic.
• Walking while drunk or impaired by drugs is illegal.

If you were involved in a pedestrian accident and you broke any of these laws, you may have a harder time proving the motorist was at fault, and your compensation may be reduced. A pedestrian accident attorney can tell you more about your specific case.

How Long Do I Have to Sue a Driver Who Hit Me or a Loved One?

In Colorado, a statute of limitations governs how long you may have to sue a driver who hit you or a loved one and caused injuries. The statute of limitations in Colorado for incidents involving motor vehicles is three years. However, if the pedestrian accident caused the death of a loved one, the statute of limitations for suing the responsible driver is reduced to two years.

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Denver Today

Don’t wait to contact an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer if you’ve been injured. Contact Olson Personal Injury Lawyers today by calling us or visiting our contact page. We offer free consultations, and we’re ready to discuss your case so that you can learn about your legal options and your path forward. You may also click here to download Sean Olson’s book, Results Matter. Results Matter will provide you with an idea of what your personal injury case may look like going forward.