Many drivers are unfamiliar with the laws that apply to pedestrians. Negligent drivers who aren’t paying attention to their surroundings can collide with a pedestrian, causing him or her devastating injuries, costly medical bills, lost wages, and even death. This is considered a pedestrian accident in Little Rock and despite the name, it still involves a vehicle.
Contact an Experienced Little Rock Pedestrian Accident Attorney
In addition to medical expenses, victims of pedestrian accidents suffer the emotional and physical trauma of their injuries. Attorney Tim Reed, a veteran litigator, has extensive experience representing personal injury victims. He provides compassionate, effective legal representation and works diligently to maximize the value of his clients’ cases. Contact the Reed Firm today to schedule a free case evaluation if you have been injured in a pedestrian accident.
Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle
Most pedestrian accidents are preventable. Drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding, or other negligent driving are all common causes of pedestrian accidents, especially at night. Attorney Tim Reed has an extensive background in complex personal injury cases arising from pedestrian accidents. He handles a variety of pedestrian accident claims, including pedestrian accidents caused by:
- Malfunctioning signage and road signals
- Distracted driving
- Drunk drivers
- Accidents involving buses and trains
- Accidents involving rideshare vehicles, such as Uber or Lyft
- Accidents involving motorcycles
- Accidents involving commercial trucks
- Accidents resulting in spinal cord or brain injuries
Pedestrian Accidents Can Result in Devastating Injuries
Pedestrians aren’t protected by airbags and seat belts. As a result, pedestrians usually suffer serious injuries when they’re involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or even a bicycle. Pedestrians can experience traumatic brain injuries (TBI), bone fractures, internal organ damage, spinal cord injuries, and more. Unfortunately, not all pedestrians survive. When a pedestrian is involved in a fatal accident, his or her surviving family members may be able to pursue compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Arkansas Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws
Identifying who had the right-of-way in pedestrian accident cases is crucial. Under Arkansas law, streets and highways are available for the use of both pedestrians and vehicles. Everyone must obey all traffic signals and signs. Pedestrians must use marked and unmarked crosswalks where streets intersect. Additionally, pedestrians must use sidewalks when available and walk toward traffic.
Pedestrians have a duty to watch for drivers who may not be paying attention as they approach. When a vehicle enters the intersection legally, the pedestrian must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle. When a pedestrian has a signal to walk across the street, and the vehicle has a green light but is attempting to make a right or left turn, the vehicle must yield.
Finally, vehicles and pedestrians must use caution when crossing unmarked intersections. Arkansas traffic laws play an important role in determining fault in pedestrian accident cases. When a pedestrian can prove that the driver who caused the injuries violated a traffic law when the accident occurred, it can be easier to prove negligence and obtain compensation.
Who Is Liable for Pedestrian Accidents in Arkansas?
Drivers, pedestrians, and everyone else on the road must use reasonable care to prevent injuries. When they don’t use reasonable care, they engage in negligent behavior. To recover compensation, victims of pedestrian accidents need to prove that the at-fault party’s negligence caused the accident and resulting injuries.
What happens if a driver and pedestrian are both at fault for an accident? In that case, the jury will compare the driver’s fault to the pedestrian’s fault to determine who was more at fault for the accident. The jury may allocate a percentage of fault to each party, and those percentages must add up to 100%. You must be 49% or less at fault in order to recover, and any compensation you receive will be adjusted according to your percentage of fault. This is called modified comparative fault.
For example, suppose a pedestrian entered an intersection when the driver’s traffic signal was yellow. The vehicle entered the intersection and struck the pedestrian. The driver was texting when the accident occurred. If the pedestrian is 40% at fault and the driver is 60% at fault, the pedestrian could still recover compensation, but the pedestrian’s recovery would be reduced by 40%, which reflects his or her share of the fault.
Damages Available After a Little Rock Pedestrian Accident
Personal injury plaintiffs are entitled to compensation for their economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, and property damage, are easily quantifiable. Non-economic damages provide compensation for intangible injuries, such as pain, suffering, and mental anguish. Juries are instructed to determine the amount of damages caused by another’s negligence.
How Much Time Do I Have in Little Rock, Arkansas to Pursue a Claim?
It’s important that you take legal action quickly because you only have three years from the pedestrian accident date to pursue a claim and file a lawsuit. Three years may seem like a long time, but it can pass by quickly, especially when you’re recovering from a serious injury. The sooner you reach out to an attorney, the sooner your attorney can begin investigating and preparing your case. Attorney Tim Reed will carefully review your case and help you understand all of your options.
Discuss Your Case With a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Little Rock, Arkansas
Have you or your loved one been injured in a pedestrian accident in Little Rock, Arkansas, or elsewhere in Arkansas? You don’t have to navigate the claims process alone. Working with an attorney can help you pursue the full amount of compensation you need and deserve while you focus on your recovery. You should not have to pay for the physical, financial, or emotional consequences caused by another person’s negligence. Contact the Reed Firm to schedule a complimentary consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.