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Pedestrian accidents are caused by the same things that cause other types of accidents, such as distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence. Pedestrian accidents are also sometimes caused by pedestrians who are crossing the road illegally or not paying attention. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, either as a driver of a vehicle or as a pedestrian, contact a Cheshire pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss your case.
Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., puts clients first. Our clients and their interests are our priority. Our reputation for excellent counsel and successful defense is unmatched in the legal community and among our customers because we fight for our clients with stellar determination to address their
In most cases, pedestrians have the right of way, but there are some circumstances in which pedestrians must yield to vehicular traffic. For instance, pedestrians are required by law to yield to emergency vehicles that either have their flashing lights or sirens activated. Pedestrians are also required to walk within the boundaries of crosswalks and may not cross diagonally in an intersection. When possible, pedestrians must also remain on the right side of a crosswalk.
Pedestrians must also yield to vehicles such as cars and motorcycles when crossing if no crosswalk is present. In most other cases, though, pedestrians have the right of way, and vehicles must slow down or stop to let them pass if they are at the curb of a crosswalk. Furthermore, vehicles must remain stopped at a crosswalk until the pedestrian reaches the other side of the street.
When drivers fail to yield to pedestrians, they are subject to a fine of $500. However, when the failure to yield causes an accident that leads to the injury or wrongful death of a pedestrian, the penalties are much worse than the basic violation fine. In most cases, the driver is at fault in pedestrian accidents. Knowing the law and hiring a competent Cheshire pedestrian accident lawyer who understands Connecticut statutes can help minimize the consequences of pedestrian accidents.
Pedestrians can be held liable for accidents in some cases, and sometimes, an investigation into the accident, a professional review of the location, or a revisiting of any eyewitness testimonies can at least identify comparative negligence in the case. Comparative negligence laws in Connecticut allow the defendant to counteract damages or collect compensation if they were found to be less than 51% responsible for the accident.
This is when a Cheshire pedestrian accident lawyer comes in handy. Legal professionals have contacts like investigators and other professionals whose testimonies can change the direction of your case. They can use evidence, such as police reports, medical bills, property repair receipts, Connecticut statutes, and precedent cases, for example, to prove one party was more negligent than the other.
There were just under 1,500 pedestrian crashes in Connecticut in 2023. Of those, 180 people were seriously injured, and 64 people were killed. What’s more alarming is that there has been an increase in pedestrian accidents over the last few years. Thus, it is important that drivers and pedestrians alike understand the laws that govern Connecticut roadways to prevent pedestrian accidents as much as possible.
When drivers and pedestrians in Cheshire understand their roles in keeping themselves and others safe on the street, they can be more prepared when faced with a vehicle-pedestrian situation that isn’t typical. Knowing your responsibilities on the road, whether you are a driver or a pedestrian, not only protects others but also protects your rights in the event that an accident occurs at the fault of another party.
A: It is difficult to determine how long it might take for a pedestrian accident case to settle. There are many factors that inform how long a case will take, as well as the speed of its progress. In some cases, negotiations with the insurance company are swift and settle before a trial is necessary, while other cases require litigation. Speak to a Cheshire pedestrian accident lawyer about your specific case for an estimate regarding how long your case might take.
A: Contingency fees for Cheshire personal injury lawyers in Connecticut are set by state statute on a sliding scale. The law allows lawyers to collect a 33% fee on the first $300,000 of a settlement. For anything between $300,001 and $600,001, they can charge a 25% contingency fee, and so on. For anything more than $1.25 million, the contingency fee must not exceed 10%.
A: The fault of a pedestrian accident depends on who caused the accident. Either the pedestrian or the driver can be held liable, and in some states, like Connecticut, comparative negligence allows both parties to receive compensation for a pedestrian accident if one party is no more than 51% liable for the accident. Factors that can affect fault include impaired driving, reckless driving, speeding, jaywalking, and other traffic violations.
A: Most Connecticut pedestrian accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means the lawyer does not collect fees unless the client is awarded a settlement. When a case ends in favor of the plaintiff, the attorney collects a fee; if the case ends in favor of the defendant, the attorney does not obtain a fee. However, there may still be court-related costs or case-related expenses remaining that are billed to the plaintiff, such as investigative costs.
Not every Cheshire pedestrian accident lawyer is the right lawyer for you. Selecting a lawyer who has successfully proven their ability to secure personal injury claims is important. If you are looking for a reputable lawyer to discuss your case with, call Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., toll-free at (203) 265-2035, or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation.
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