A young boy was left with critical injuries after he was hit by a car on Friday, July 12th, in Virginia Beach. According to official reports, the incident occurred at about 4:35 p.m., when local officers were called to the scene of a pedestrian accident in North Witchduck and Virginia Beach Boulevard. Upon their arrival, they discovered a juvenile male in critical condition. The victim was transported by ambulance to an area hospital. There have been no updates on his current condition. This incident remains under investigation by the Virginia Beach Police Department.
Pedestrians in Virginia Beach should be able to walk without worrying about being injured by a negligent driver. Sadly, this is not always the case. When accidents involving pedestrians happen, especially those involving children, the results are often devastating. The Virginia Beach pedestrian accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp only practice personal injury law. Since our doors opened in 1985, we have assisted hundreds of injured clients to obtain the compensation they are entitled to after being hit by a careless or reckless motorist. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with one of our Virginia Beach pedestrian accident lawyers.
Virginia Beach Pedestrian Accident Statistics
In recent years, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has reported that the rate of Virginia pedestrian accidents has increased. Between 2020 and 2021, the state saw almost a 13% uptick in vehicle collisions involving pedestrians. These accidents lead to 1,325 victim injuries and 125 pedestrian deaths.
Virginia Beach Pedestrian Traffic Laws
Virginia Beach’s pedestrian laws require drivers to come to a complete stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, not simply yield. It is, however, worth noting that the mere presence of a crosswalk does mean that pedestrians can cross the road with impunity. If the crosswalk is located at an intersection equipped with traffic lights or stop signs, pedestrians are obligated to obey walk/ don’t walk signs and the lights in accordance with general right-of-way laws.
If a motorist hits a pedestrian inside a crosswalk, they will most likely be financially accountable for the pedestrian’s injuries and other damages. A motorist who strikes a pedestrian not inside a crosswalk may still be liable for the accident, even if the pedestrian was unlawfully crossing the street. Establishing liability in a Virginia Beach pedestrian accident case is often very complex, which makes working with a skilled Virginia Beach pedestrian accident lawyer of utmost importance.
Proving Fault for a Pedestrian Accident in Virginia Beach
Proving fault in a pedestrian-involved collision is the first step toward determining whether or not you have a valid personal injury claim since the at-fault party is liable for the injured party’s damages. Most people mistakenly believe the driver is always to blame in a pedestrian accident. There are, however, many scenarios in which fault is not so black-and-white.
Potentially liable parties in a Virginia Beach pedestrian accident may include:
- A passenger vehicle operator who is responsible for obeying Virginia traffic laws and the safe operation of their vehicle
- A commercial vehicle driver who is capable of causing severe damage given the weight and size of their vehicle
- A freight company, especially if it failed to properly train or screen a driver
- Other roadway users, like a bicycle rider who fails to stop for a pedestrian
- The City of Virginia Beach or the government entity responsible for roadway maintenance and making sure traffic signals are in good working order
Although lengthy, this list is far from exhaustive. Your attorney’s investigation into your pedestrian accident could reveal numerous defendants.
Recoverable Compensation for Pedestrian Accidents in Virginia Beach
The goal of any lawsuit, including a pedestrian accident lawsuit, is to financially restore you to your pre-accident state. In other words, the law entitles you to pursue financial compensation from the party who caused your accident and subsequent damages.
Economic damages are objective monetary losses you incurred due to your accident. Although every case is different, these commonly include:
- Medical care: You require surgery, an extended hospitalization, occupational and physical therapy, and expensive prescription medications to fully recover from your injuries.
- Lost wages: If you had to use sick days or personal days or were otherwise forced to miss work due to your recovery, you could be eligible to collect damages for your lost wages
- Disability modifications: If you are permanently or temporarily disabled, your car and home may need to be modified
- Long-term care costs: If your injuries are severe, you might require special accommodations, in-home care, or a nursing home.
- Loss of earning potential: If you cannot return to work or can only work part-time, you could seek the discrepancy between what you are currently earning and what you would have earned had your accident not occurred.
Not all damages are economic, so you might also be eligible for financial compensation for losses that do not have a set dollar value. Non-economic damages could indemnify you for:
- Pain and suffering: Injuries arising from pedestrian accidents are often painful and accompanied by an excruciating recovery period
- Emotional trauma: After being struck by a car, many accident victims develop conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and phobias
- Damaged relationships: After a pedestrian accident, you might be unable to provide and care for your family as you used to. Your relationship with your spouse could also be affected by your injuries.
- Diminished quality of life: If you are no longer able to participate in the same hobbies and activities you enjoyed before your accident, you may be eligible to collect compensation
All We Do Is Injury Law
If you were injured in a Virginia Beach pedestrian accident through no fault of your own, a seasoned Virginia Beach pedestrian injury lawyer from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can help. For example, in one recent case, we secured a $1.1 million settlement for a teenager who was struck by a commercial truck driver as he was waiting on the side of the road.
With over three decades of legal knowledge and experience, the Virginia Beach law firm of Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp has the talent, skill, and resources necessary to achieve a successful outcome for your case. Call us at (833) 997-1774 or fill out the short contact form on our website to schedule your free case review.
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