Holding Reckless Drivers Accountable for Pedestrian Accidents in Little Rock
One of the most traumatic and devastating accidents a person can experience is a pedestrian accident. The human body is not built to withstand the weight, force, or impact of a motor vehicle, making pedestrians extremely vulnerable when walking or crossing the street.
When a pedestrian is hit by a motor vehicle, they usually experience life-threatening injuries that later turn into disabilities that affect them for the rest of their lives. Drivers must be held accountable for their reckless and careless actions that cause pedestrian accidents.
Recent pedestrian accidents that have occurred in Little Rock, AK
According to a recent study, Little Rock is the 10th most dangerous metro area in the United States for pedestrians. Between 2018 and 2022, there were more than 130 pedestrian fatalities recorded across the city, which was more than double the number recorded between 2013 and 2017.
- In October 2024, a man was killed on Stagecoach Road. By the time law enforcement arrived at the scene, he was on the ground and considered unresponsive. An individual driving a 2003 Toyota 4Runner hit and killed the pedestrian. The investigation is still ongoing. However, accident reconstruction professionals took photos, determined measurements, and collected valuable information and evidence related to the accident.
- In September 2024, two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle on Baseline Road. The two women were on the road when a 2003 Hyundai hit them. One woman succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other woman was transported to the nearest hospital with critical and life-threatening injuries.
- In July 2024, a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run accident. The accident happened on Stagecoach Road around 11 a.m. The pedestrian is believed to have been walking close to the intersection of Stagecoach Road and David O. Dodd Road when the accident occurred. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and authorities were asking for help locating the fleeing vehicle.
- In April 2024, a pedestrian accident occurred on 4800 East McCain Boulevard. All lanes on this roadway were closed to traffic as officers and detectives investigated. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities.
What should you do after being hit by a car as a pedestrian?
If you have been hit by a car as a pedestrian, you might be in no shape to do anything. However, if you are able to, there are certain steps you should take, including:
Remain calm and determine the severity of your injuries
After being hit by a vehicle while walking, it can be very difficult not to panic. You may feel various emotions, such as confusion, fear, and disbelief. You may also experience an adrenaline rush, making it challenging to determine whether you are in pain, sore, or uncomfortable. You should take a moment to calm down and look over your body to see how severe your injuries are and whether there is any bleeding.
Dial 9-1-1
Call 9-1-1 to inform the dispatcher that you have been hit by a car, where you are located, and whether you have any injuries.
Seek medical treatment
Pedestrian accidents often result in life-threatening and catastrophic injuries. Even if you don’t think your injuries are severe, you should get checked. Adrenaline and the shock of being involved in an accident can make it so that you don’t realize the seriousness of your injuries right away.
File a police report
If you are able to, talk to the police about what happened. They may ask you where you were going, whether you were using the sidewalk or crosswalk (if available), and what you believe happened. In the event that you are rushed to the hospital, don’t worry; you can speak to the police once you are able.
Contact a lawyer
If you sustained injuries, you need to speak to a lawyer. Your attorney can help you determine the next steps, which might include negotiating with an insurance company or filing a lawsuit.
How can a lawyer help after a pedestrian accident?
Here are five ways that a lawyer can help after a pedestrian accident.
They can help you determine liability and negligence
An attorney can look over the details of your claim, investigate, and work with other professionals to pinpoint who is at fault, what mistakes were made, and what type of negligence existed. For example, they may determine the driver is liable because they were sending a text message or ran the stop light while you were crossing at the intersection.
They can help you become informed of the laws and your rights
Pedestrian accident attorneys know the various laws surrounding these types of cases. When working with them, they will ensure you are informed of the laws and your legal rights.
A lawyer can help you calculate your losses and seek fair compensation
Your lawyer will sit down with you and help you identify every single loss you have experienced from the accident. Then, they will calculate each loss by working with accountants, doctors, physical therapists, psychologists, and more. If you leave any losses out, you may not receive the full compensation you are owed.
They can help you collect convincing evidence
Although you can collect a lot of evidence independently, you may need some assistance obtaining certain things. For example, your lawyer may request a drug test from the driver, cell phone records from their cell phone company, and medical records from your doctor’s office. This information may be beneficial to your case, but it may be difficult for you to obtain it alone.
They can help you communicate and negotiate with insurance companies
Insurance companies may try to assign some of the fault to you and attempt to reduce the amount of money they must pay out. To prevent this from happening, your lawyer can handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance companies.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a pedestrian accident? If so, the pedestrian accident lawyers at Bailey & Greer are ready and available to help you. Our team has spent decades building a positive reputation among our clients. Please call our office or submit our contact form to learn more about how we can protect your rights and advocate for the maximum compensation you deserve today.
At Bailey & Greer, PLLC we do everything in our power to assuage those fears, and to help our clients find resolutions to their problems. Our Little Rock based law firm offers a wide variety of legal services to individuals and families throughout Arkansas. When you are hurt, you can trust the injury attorneys of Bailey & Greer.