Denver Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Denver Personal Injury Lawyers » Denver Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Denver Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Denver, CO

As a pedestrian, you are extremely vulnerable to injury when walking near traffic or crossing a street. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people are seriously harmed in pedestrian accidents in the United States. While some of these accidents are the fault of the pedestrian, many of these unfortunate events are caused by negligent motorists.

With that being said, pedestrian accidents shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you’ve been hurt in one, our Denver pedestrian accident attorneys can help. Call Fuicelli & Lee today at (303) 444-4444 for a free consultation.

Why Partner with a Denver Pedestrian Accident Attorney?

At Fuicelli & Lee, our firm operates on the principle that “Experience Matters.” Our Denver pedestrian accident attorneys possess extensive trial and negotiation skills, having secured over $175 million in total compensation for our clients. Focusing solely on personal injury law enables us to deliver unmatched representation, increasing your chances of achieving the most favorable pedestrian accident outcome. Setting us apart are our core values:

• We’re dedicated to making a meaningful difference for our clients, standing by your side throughout your case.
• Built on a foundation of hard work and honesty, our law firm has earned numerous awards for our exceptional professionalism and legal abilities.
• With a reputation for excellence, our pedestrian accident lawyers genuinely care about your needs and the challenges you face due to your pedestrian accident. Available 24/7, we’re ready to help you secure full and fair compensation and hold those responsible for your severe injuries accountable.

Denver Pedestrian Accident Guide

• Statistics
• Colorado State Laws for the Protection of Pedestrians
• Right-of-Way in Crosswalks
• Pedestrians Crossings
• Persons With Disabilities
• Common Pedestrian Injuries
• Compensation
• How Can Fuicelli & Lee Help My Pedestrian Accident Claim?
• Contact a Denver Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

Colorado Pedestrian Accident Statistics

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According to data from a recent year by the Governors Highway safety association, Colorado saw an increase of 17% in pedestrian accident fatalities. In another recent year, a total of 87 pedestrian fatalities were registered in the state. While most pedestrian accidents are not fatal, many result in serious injuries.

As with other types of traffic accidents, pedestrian accidents occur most often due to negligent drivers who engage in reckless behavior such as speeding, inattentiveness, violation of traffic laws, and intoxication. In addition, pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur in urban areas. Thankfully, in cases of driver negligence such as these, financial compensation is an option for victims and surviving family members to recover much-needed support.

Colorado State Laws for Pedestrian Accidents

Colorado state law defines a pedestrian as any person who is walking or using a wheelchair. Just as there are laws surrounding the safe operation of motor vehicles on roads and highways, there are laws concerning the safety of pedestrians. And every pedestrian must obey the traffic rules that apply to them, for their safety and the safety of other road users.

Unless they are otherwise directed by a police officer, all pedestrians must obey any traffic control devices specifically for pedestrians, such as “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” signals at crosswalks.

Pedestrians’ Right-of-Way in Crosswalks

• Where there are no traffic signs or traffic control signals in operation, vehicle drivers are expected to slow down or stop to allow pedestrians already crossing a crosswalk to proceed.
• Pedestrians are prohibited from making sudden entries into the path of moving vehicles in a way that can cause harm to themselves and other road users.
• When a vehicle is stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross a roadway, other vehicles behind that vehicle are not allowed to overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
• Pedestrians must obey all pedestrian signals directing them to “Walk” or “Don’t Walk.”

Pedestrians Crossing at Areas Apart from Crosswalks

• When a pedestrian is trying to cross a roadway that has no marked crosswalk, the pedestrian must yield to all vehicles on the roadway.
• At intersections where traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians must only cross at those marked intersections.
• Pedestrians are prohibited from crossing roadway intersections diagonally unless they are authorized to do so by a traffic control device.

Pedestrians’ Duty to Persons with Disabilities

Pedestrians who are not in wheelchairs have a duty of care to other pedestrians with disabilities. They must take precautions to avoid any actions that may cause an accident or injury to a pedestrian with disabilities. Some indications that a person may have a disability include the use of a mobility device like a cane, assistance by a service animal, assistance by another person, or other obvious presentation of physical disability.

What Is the Drivers’ Duty to Pedestrians?

While pedestrians have road user rules that they must abide by for their safety, drivers owe pedestrians a duty of care and act accordingly. They may use their horns, when necessary, to warn pedestrians of danger.

Drivers must also drive cautiously if they observe children, any obviously confused or incapacitated person on the roadway, or pedestrians with disabilities.

In addition to these duties to pedestrians, Colorado has careless and reckless driving laws that vehicle drivers must also adhere to.

If you were injured by a negligent driver in a pedestrian collision, you may file a personal injury claim to obtain compensation from the responsible party.

What Constitutes Negligence in Pedestrian Accidents in Denver, CO?

In Denver, pedestrian accident cases hinge on proving the driver acted negligently. This means the driver breached a duty of care towards the pedestrian, which directly caused the accident and your injuries. Here’s a breakdown:

• Duty of Care: Drivers have a legal obligation to act cautiously and avoid causing harm to pedestrians. This includes obeying traffic laws, yielding the right of way, and maintaining a lookout for pedestrians in crosswalks and other designated areas.
• Breach of Duty: Driver actions in violation of this care are considered a breach. Examples include:
  • Distracted driving (texting, talking on phone)
  • Driving under the influence (DUI)
  • Speeding or reckless driving
  • Failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
  • Not using headlights at night
  • Disregarding traffic signals
• Causation: The driver’s breach of duty must be the direct cause of the accident and your injuries.

Important Points:

• Colorado follows a “comparative negligence” rule. Even if the pedestrian is partially at fault (e.g., jaywalking), they can still recover damages, but the compensation will be reduced based on their share of fault.
• Determining fault can be complex. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer experienced in pedestrian accidents is recommended to navigate the legal process and build a strong case.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries We Help Clients With

Pedestrians are incredibly vulnerable when they are on or around the roadway. The reality is that pedestrians have no protection against the force of a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds. Even a slow-moving vehicle can lead to pedestrian accidents with serious injuries. Vehicles moving at higher rates of speed are likely to cause catastrophic injuries.

At Fuicelli & Lee, our team has experience helping pedestrian accident victims in Denver who have sustained a wide range of injuries. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Spinal cord trauma with paralysis
• Other severe back or neck injuries, including whiplash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions
• Broken or dislocated bones
• Severe lacerations
• Puncture wounds
• Road rash
• Severe bruising
• Internal organ damage
• Significant bleeding
• Scarring and disfigurement

Acute visible traumatic injuries are not the only types of trauma that a pedestrian accident victim is likely to sustain. Often overlooked are the emotional and psychological traumas that these individuals incur as a result of the accident, the physical injuries, and the recovery process. Pedestrian accidents frequently result in individuals not being able to carry out their day-to-day activities. These incidents could change their lives forever, including their ability to spend time with family and go to work.

Our Denver pedestrian accident lawyers help clients who have sustained physical pain and suffering, emotional and psychological suffering, loss of quality of life, and more. We bring up these types of injuries because we want to make sure that our clients are made whole, which includes treating more than just the visible traumatic injuries they sustained.

Getting Compensation for Your Pedestrian Accident Injury in Denver

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident because of the careless or reckless driving of a vehicle driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. However, it’s very likely that the insurance company will try to blame you for the accident to reduce their liability.

If opposing parties prove that you were partly at fault for the accident, any compensation due to you will be reduced by the percentage of fault that is attributed to you. However, having a Denver accident attorney who knows the law and the tactics that insurance companies can help strengthen your pedestrian accident claim, protect your interests, and obtain fair compensation.

What Types of Compensation Are Available to Denver Pedestrian Accident Victims?

There may be a wide variety of compensation types available to pedestrian accident victims in Denver. The team at Fuicelli & Lee strives to recover both “special” and “general” damages on behalf of every client that we help.

Special damages refer to various types of economic losses that are relatively easy to calculate by gathering bills that come in after the fact. Special damages for an injured pedestrian often include medical bills, lost income, out-of-pocket expenses, property damage expenses, and more.

General damages are typically harder to calculate. These are often referred to as non-economic losses and revolve around more immeasurable types of expenses such as a pedestrian accident victim’s physical and emotional pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, loss of consortium for family members or a spouse, and more.

There is no set amount of compensation available to pedestrian accident victims, but there are various factors that can influence how much compensation a person receives. These include the overall severity of the injuries, whether there was any shared fault for the incident, how long the recovery process will take, and overall property damage expenses.

How Can Fuicelli & Lee Help My Pedestrian Accident Claim?

Our legal team understands that pedestrian accidents involve unique circumstances, varied damages, and potentially multiple liable parties. When you choose to work with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney from our firm, you receive personalized attention and the skill that decades of experience in personal injury law. Our lawyers will examine your pedestrian accident case in detail in order to help you proceed in the way that best serves your interests.

When possible, we will negotiate toward a fair settlement with the negligent driver’s insurance company. If necessary, we will prepare your case for a personal injury lawsuit. In any case, you can be confident that our Colorado pedestrian accident lawyers will keep you abreast of your claim’s progression and fight for you every step of the way.

The Differences Between Pedestrian Accident Claims and Lawsuits in Denver

The main difference between a pedestrian accident claim and a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Denver, Colorado, lies in the legal process involved and the level of formality.

Pedestrian Accident Claim:

1. A claim is an informal demand for compensation made to the insurance company of the party responsible for the pedestrian accident.

2. It typically involves filing the necessary paperwork with the insurance company, providing evidence of the accident, and negotiating a settlement.

3. Claims are generally less expensive and faster than lawsuits, as they avoid the court system.

4. If a fair settlement cannot be reached through the claim process, the next step may be to file a lawsuit.

Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit:

1. A lawsuit is a formal legal proceeding initiated by filing a complaint in a court of law against the responsible party or parties.

2. It involves a more complex legal process, including the potential for discovery (exchange of evidence), depositions, motions, and ultimately a trial.

3. Lawsuits are typically more time-consuming and expensive than claims, as they involve court fees, attorney fees, and potential expert witness costs.

4. If the lawsuit is successful, the pedestrian may be awarded damages by a judge or jury, which can include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related losses.

Overall, a pedestrian accident claim is an informal negotiation process with an insurance company, while a pedestrian accident lawsuit is a formal legal action taken through the court system. The decision to pursue a claim or a lawsuit often depends on the severity of the injuries, the amount of compensation sought, and the willingness of the responsible party or their insurance company to offer a fair settlement.

Contact a Denver Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident, contact Fuicelli & Lee today. Our Denver personal injury attorneys can help you recover full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us to schedule your free case consultation with one of our Denver pedestrian accident attorneys.

Client Testimonial

“I was involved in an accident. Lawyer Lori Tolle negotiated with my insurance and disability to ensure money I got from other person’s insurance went to me. She also looked for other sources of income from the involved party since it was an auto pedestrian incident.” – Daniel P. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Fuicelli & Lee, PC – Denver Office

1731 Gilpin Street
Denver, CO 80218
P: (303) 444-4444