Anywhere many pedestrians and vehicles interact and share the same space, the likelihood of pedestrian accidents increases. However, compared to other U.S. cities, Philadelphia has a higher number of pedestrian fatalities per resident, with one being injured or killed in an accident every six hours.
If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident in Philadelphia, you may be eligible for financial compensation for damages sustained from the event. Consult with a pedestrian accident attorney in Philadelphia to promptly discuss your legal rights for compensation.
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Table of Contents
- Intersections Where Pedestrian Accidents Most Often Occur in Philadelphia
- Pedestrian Crash Findings in Philadelphia
- Common Causes of Traffic Accidents Involving Pedestrians in Philadelphia
- What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Philadelphia
- The Value of Having a Pedestrian Accident Attorney on Your Side
- How Much Does a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Cost in Philadelphia?
- What Type of Damages Can I Get Compensation for in a Pedestrian Accident
- Consult a Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Corridors Where Pedestrian Accidents Most Often Occur in Philadelphia
The city of Philadelphia prepared data demonstrating where the most pedestrian accidents most often occur in Philadelphia. Here are the top ten pedestrian corridors where accidents occur:
- Roosevelt Boulevard: (Schuylkill River to Bucks County Line)
- North Broad Street: (City Hall to Glenwood)
- North Broad Street: (Glenwood to Windrim)
- South Broad Street: (City Hall to Oregon)
- Market Street: (City Hall to 2nd)
- Allegheny Avenue: (Sedgley to Ridge)
- North Broad Street: (Lindley to Montgomery County Line)
- Chestnut Street: (Independence Mall to 20th)
- Kensington Avenue: (Front to Pacific)
- Chestnut Street: (Cobbs Creek to 38th)
These pedestrian crash hot spots caused 1,008 injuries and 45 fatalities over a recent five-year span in Philadelphia. However, these aren't the only places where accidents injure and claim lives.
Intersections Where Pedestrian Accidents Most Often Occur in Philadelphia
According to the same city data, intersections account for nearly two-thirds of all pedestrian injury crashes. Some of the most dangerous intersections where most pedestrian accidents occur in Philadelphia include:
- Bustleton Ave./Levick St. and Roosevelt Blvd.
- W. Allegheny Ave. and Germantown Ave.
- Faunce St./Revere St. and Roosevelt Blvd.
- Harbison Ave. and Roosevelt Blvd.
- N. 2nd St. and W. Lehigh Ave.
- Large St. and Roosevelt Blvd.
- Whitaker Ave./Adams Ave. and Roosevelt Blvd.
- N. 9th St. and Roosevelt Blvd.
- Arch St. and North Broad St.
- E. Allegheny Ave. and Aramingo Ave.
Nearly a quarter of all pedestrians killed at intersections were crossing Roosevelt Boulevard or its cross-streets. Most pedestrian accidents occur at intersections, often due to distracted or speeding drivers who do not stop for people crossing lawfully.
Pedestrian Crash Findings in Philadelphia
Other key findings from the comparative analysis of all injury crashes, pedestrian injury crashes, and pedestrian fatality crashes reveal these facts about pedestrian accidents in Philadelphia:
- Where: Half occurred on 19 percent of street corridors. Over 3/4 happened within 300 feet of transit stops and stations.
- When: Over half of all pedestrian fatality accidents occurred between 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM, with nearly a quarter taking place after midnight.
- How: Almost half were struck by a vehicle turning left or right, and over a quarter resulted from a hit-and-run.
- Who: Pedestrians over 50 years old (50 percent of pedestrian accident fatalities) and under 19 years old (30 percent of pedestrian accident injuries). Ten times more pedestrians were killed by a "not normal" driver. "Not normal" indicates the driver was impaired, intoxicated, had a medical emergency, or was fatigued. "Not normal" pedestrians represent 40 percent of fatalities.
While pedestrians represent an average of eight percent of people involved in accidents in Philadelphia, they comprise 41 percent of crash-related fatalities. If you and your family suffered the loss of a loved one due to driver negligence, consult with an attorney to discuss your potential wrongful death claim.
Common Causes of Traffic Accidents Involving Pedestrians in Philadelphia
There are many causes of traffic accidents involving pedestrians in Philadelphia. The more common ones are:
- Speeding: One in ten pedestrian fatality accidents were speeding-related. They are overrepresented compared to pedestrian injury crashes, where only two percent of crashes were speeding-related.
- Distracted Driving: Drivers often hit pedestrians when distracted by texting, talking on the phone, talking with passengers, putting on makeup, or changing the music.
- Driving While Under the Influence (DUI): Driving while under the influence of alcohol, prescription, or illicit drugs plays a significant factor in pedestrian accidents in Philadelphia. Many pedestrian fatalities in accidents involve intoxicated pedestrians.
- Aggressive Driving: Aggressive drivers who tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, cut other drivers off, and don't respect traffic regulations are responsible for pedestrian crashes.
Poor visibility, such as insufficient lighting and inclement weather, is problematic. Obstructions like overgrown trees, buildings, or parked cars can block drivers' views and contribute to pedestrian accidents.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Philadelphia
After the initial shock and adrenaline of the accident, it may take a few days to process and fully feel the impact of the crash. Take these vital next steps as proactive measures to safeguard your health and recovery time, as well as your legal rights.
Get a Comprehensive Medical Evaluation
First and foremost, get a comprehensive medical evaluation to have a physician properly assess and diagnose your ailments and injuries. Don't delay being seen because you don't feel injured.
Sometimes, symptoms of pedestrian accidents have a delayed reaction time. For example, whiplash is a common symptom that develops hours or even days after an accident.
A doctor will advise you of any weight or work restrictions and provide aftercare instructions in your discharge summary. Strictly adhere to their regimen of recovery care.
Stay Off Social Media if Involved in an Accident
Pedestrian accident victims should refrain from posting about the accident on social media. Insurance adjusters may use those posts to misconstrue things to deny liability.
Be careful of the following interactions on social media following an accident:
- Maintaining a public instead of a private profile
- Accepting new friends and followers
- Deleting unfavorable posts
- Checking in and tagging your locations
- Allow others to tag you or share your posts
Insurers can use something as innocent as posting new pictures to discredit the severity of your injuries. If ten people tag you at a wedding with images of you in heels, a stunning dress, with hair and makeup done, and a pearly white smile on your face, an insurer can use the posts to suggest you're not being honest about your pain levels and injuries.
Even if you only showed up because the bride is your lifetime best friend who begged you to attend the ceremony and pictures. It won't matter that you were in pain the entire time and trying not to ruin her special day. Those considerations won't be made when evidence suggests something else.
Avoid Making Recorded Statements
After an accident, the at-fault party's insurance company will call to ask you a set of intentional questions to get you to say something they can use to delay or deny liability.
Most of the time, they will appear friendly and helpful, but their job is to maximize profits by minimizing payouts. Do not give them a recorded statement. Instead, inform them you've retained legal counsel and refer them to your attorney to handle all future communications.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer immediately. An attorney will advise you on your legal recourse and compassionately guide you through the process. Be sure to inform them if you've already made recorded statements and social media posts about the accident.
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The Value of Having a Pedestrian Accident Attorney on Your Side
Having an experienced lawyer on your side is invaluable to your pedestrian accident case. They are legal professionals who handle claims and cases like yours all the time and know what they're doing. Here are some significant benefits of retaining representation:
Prioritizes Your Health and Recovery
Your first priority after being involved in a pedestrian accident is to recover. Your body needs time to rest and fully rehabilitate from the injuries sustained in your accident. Having an attorney alleviates any added anxiety or stress that comes with navigating the system, meeting legal deadlines, and negotiating your own fair settlement.
Extensive Knowledge of the Law and System
Attorneys require a minimum of seven years of higher learning, meaning they have extensive knowledge of the law, legal system, and due process.
Experienced pedestrian accident lawyers will also have established connections within the system. Maintaining friendly relationships with bailiffs, judges, and opposing prosecuting attorneys may benefit the handling of your case.
Access to Helpful Legal Resources
Lawyers have access to many helpful legal resources you wouldn't otherwise have access to. Pedestrian accident law firms possess an entire team of attorneys, accident reconstruction specialists, and expert witnesses whose testimony may persuade more substantial payouts on your claim.
Skilled Negotiators
Retaining a skilled negotiator is one of the most significant assets of hiring an experienced attorney. While most people are uncomfortable negotiating money, lawyers confidently dominate. It's what they do. They are familiar with insurance company tactics and have successful countertactics that secure larger client compensation.
How Much Does a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Cost in Philadelphia?
There are no upfront costs when hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer in Philadelphia. Before accepting your case, pedestrian accident attorneys will discuss their contingency fee, usually a percentage of your settlement. They don't get paid unless and until you do.
Working on a contingency fee basis allows every person access to an attorney, regardless of their financial situation. If you've suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident, schedule a free consultation to discuss your case now.
What Type of Damages Can I Get Compensation for in a Pedestrian Accident
Economic and non-economic are two common types of damages associated with pedestrian accident claims. However, a case may sometimes warrant a court award of punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are quantifiable losses that are easier to calculate because they come with invoices and receipts. The four significant categories of economic damages are:
- Medical Expenses: All medical expenses, such as hospital stays, doctor visits, medical devices, in-home modifications for mobility related to disabilities, future medical care, prescription, and copay costs.
- Lost Income: All professional monetary losses, such as earnings, salaries, bonuses, benefits, diminished earning capacity, future earnings, and passed-over promotions, due to injuries sustained in the accident.
- Property Damages: Any personal property damages incurred in the accident, such as a smartphone, clothing, or anything else damaged or destroyed.
- Household Services: If you hire child care assistance or help for chores you cannot perform because of injuries resulting from the accident, these economic costs may be claimed.
Keep receipts documenting out-of-pocket expenses, as they are recoverable economic damages in your pedestrian accident claim. You may also calculate mileage to and from doctor and rehabilitation appointments.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are subjective losses meant to compensate for financial losses that are more difficult to quantify in monetary terms. For example, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and loss of consortium or companionship.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are rare, as they can only be granted by a judge and jury if your case goes to trial and if there is a severe need to punish the defendant.
Wrongful Death Damages
If you suffer the loss of a loved one, you may be eligible to receive compensation for damages endured in a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. Your attorney can seek compensation for:
- Medical costs of the deceased loved one relating to the accident
- Lost income and future earnings
- Loss of benefits like medical or pension
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial costs
Each wrongful death case is unique. Factors considered when calculating wrongful death damages include the deceased loved one's age, education, occupation, projected career trajectory, and family members' level of dependence.
Consult a Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you have suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident in Philadelphia, schedule a free consultation immediately to discuss the specifics of your case. An attorney will answer any questions you have and compassionately guide you through the process of obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.
If you and your family have suffered the loss of a loved one because of a negligent driver, contact a Philadelphia Personal injury attorney to protect your legal rights and secure financial compensation for your loss.
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Gabriel Levin - Owner/Founder
Gabriel Levin is a highly experienced and award-winning attorney with over 10 years of practice in Pennsylvania. Known for his tenacity, he has represented clients in a wide range of civil matters and tried hundreds of cases. He prepares each case as if it will go to trial, ensuring meticulous attention to detail.
Unlike many firms that delegate tasks, Attorney Levin personally handles every aspect of each case and maintains open communication with his clients throughout. He has secured millions in compensation, making him a smart choice for those seeking legal representation.
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