Chattanooga Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, there were 5,376 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2015, and there were another 70,000 pedestrians who were injured in motor vehicle accidents.

In the course of a day everyone will likely be a pedestrian at some point; however, pedestrian accidents have been one of the few categories of accident types that have increased over the past couple of years.

Unfortunately, pedestrians who are injured in an accident involving a car, truck, bus, or even bicycle are far more likely to sustain serious injuries.

If you have been injured in an accident in Chattanooga you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and property damage. Contact a Chattanooga pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss your case.

Pedestrian Accident Liability

Pedestrians are expected to abide by traffic signals at intersections and are expected to not cross the road if it is not safe for them to do so under Tennessee Code Annotated sec. 55-8-110(3)(B). However, drivers also have legal obligations toward pedestrians even if they are improperly on the road.

Under Tennessee Code Annotated sec. 55-8-134, a driver must yield the right of way to any pedestrian in a crosswalk or in a school zone and must remain stopped until pedestrians make it completely off the road.

Other sections of the Tennessee Code provide that a driver must always use due care to avoid striking a person crossing the street regardless of who has the right of way, and the driver should sound their car horn if necessary. Tennessee Code Annotated sec. 55-8-136.

As statistics show, there are many drivers throughout the country and in Chattanooga who do not exercise the appropriate amount of caution when they are around pedestrians. This is particularly troubling when there are children around. In fact, 85 pedestrians were injured in 2016 according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Both drivers and pedestrians have a duty to exercise reasonable care. This means that pedestrians should be cautious of texting and walking, or engaging in other distracting activities. Similarly, drivers should avoid distractions and refrain from drinking and driving.

Unfortunately, there are hundreds of accidents involving motor vehicles and pedestrians in Chattanooga, and because of the differences in size and speed of pedestrians compared to even a small car, any accident is likely to result in serious injuries. Some of the most common injuries include:

Pedestrian injuries tend to be severe for multiple reasons. Not only is a pedestrian injured by the car’s impact, but they also often are injured by a secondary impact if they fall to the ground. A Chattanooga pedestrian accident lawyer can help injured pedestrians recover for:

  • Medical bills
  • Future costs of rehabilitation
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Disability

As highlighted by the National Highway Safety Administration, thousands of pedestrians, unfortunately, lose their lives as a result of an accident; as a Chattanooga pedestrian accident lawyer, we can file a wrongful death action, to help injured victims and their families recover from a traumatic pedestrian accident.

Contact a Chattanooga Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, then contact us to hire a Chattanooga pedestrian accident lawyer today. You may be entitled to damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and property damage.