West Virginia Pedestrian Accident Attorney

In addition to the health benefits, commuting on foot can be a great way to save on transportation expenses. Sadly, pedestrians aren’t always safe on the road and run the risk of suffering major injuries at the hands of reckless or inattentive drivers. Pedestrian accidents can leave victims with costly medical expenses; pain and suffering; and a permanent, negative effect on their quality of life. If you or someone you love have been the victim of a pedestrian accident in West Virginia (WV), contact a West Virginia pedestrian accident attorney at Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson as soon as possible for a free consultation.

Based in Martinsburg, WV, our law firm serves Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties and surrounding areas as well as Hagerstown, Maryland (MD).

A West Virginia Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help You Recover Money Damages

Victims of pedestrian accidents deserve compensation for their serious injuries. Pedestrian accidents can result in catastrophic injuries that require months or longer to recover. In some cases, the injured party may be permanently injured or even killed. An experienced WV pedestrian injury attorney can help victims seek compensation that helps them recover from their injuries. In cases of catastrophic injury or death, a WV pedestrian injury attorney can help families get the money damages they need to move forward after these tragic events.

Pedestrian Accidents Are on the Rise

Safety experts have noticed a disturbing trend: after decades of falling accident fatality rates on US roads, the number of deaths occurring each year in traffic accidents has been rising steadily in recent years. The rate of fatalities among pedestrians has risen higher than among any other group. In fact, US pedestrian fatalities reached the highest level in 40 years in 2022.

A study reviewing data from 2009 to 2019 found that most WV pedestrian traffic accidents resulting in fatalities occurred near major roadways just outside the state’s cities and towns. The study identified strategies WV communities could implement to reduce the risks to pedestrians on the state’s roadways.

Data provided by the Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization (HEPMO) offers a visualization of this, revealing clusters of pedestrian crashes on the roadways in and around Hagerstown, Martinsburg, Charles Town, Shepherdstown, and other Eastern Panhandle communities. HEPMO released its Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan in 2023, an initiative with the goal of improving safety and routes for pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the area.

Many safety researchers believe that the increase in pedestrian deaths can be blamed in large part on the rise in distracted driving. As drivers become increasingly likely to only glance at the road between reading texts or social media posts, they miss smaller objects in their field of vision, such as people on foot.

Aside from distracted driving, other common causes of pedestrian injury accidents include poor road conditions and drivers turning left without first checking for pedestrians in the crosswalk. Lastly, alcohol is involved in almost half of pedestrian crashes that result in death.

The increase in pedestrian accidents translates to a larger number of people deserving compensation for their injuries, lost wages, and other losses. Working with a knowledgeable West Virginia pedestrian accident lawyer can help maximize the damages you can recover.

Our WV Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Have Seen the Serious Injuries Suffered

Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable to injury in vehicle accidents. They lack the robust protection offered by vehicles or even the protections offered by a helmet to a cyclist involved in a crash. Pedestrian accident injuries often leave victims in need of major medical attention, multiple surgeries, or even an in-home caregiver. These victims often need to take time off work to make a full recovery, resulting in the additional financial hit of lost wages. Common pedestrian accident injuries include:

• Soft tissue injuries
• Fractured ribs
• Broken arms or legs
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Wrongful death

These injuries can take months or even longer to recover from and require the full attention of the victim as well as support from family. Securing a WV pedestrian injury attorney gives victims the best chance of recovering compensation that will cover their expenses.

Get Help from a Dedicated West Virginia Pedestrian Accident Attorney

You and your loved ones should always follow safe pedestrian practices. However, not all pedestrian-involved accidents can be avoided. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, legal experience matters. Insurance companies and the driver’s representatives will likely try to negotiate a low settlement with the victim every step of the way. A skilled West Virginia pedestrian accident lawyer can help negotiate with interested parties to arrive at a more favorable settlement or even go to court if needed.

Call Your West Virginia Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

Recovering compensation that adequately covers the recovery expenses takes time, resources, experience, and compassion. That’s exactly what you’ll find in the WV pedestrian accident lawyers at Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson. If you or your family member has been the victim of a pedestrian accident, get in touch with a knowledgeable West Virginia pedestrian accident attorney by calling 304-263-0900 or completing this online contact form.