What Should I Do If I’m Hit by a Car While Crossing the Street in Denver?

Call (800) 863-5312 to Speak with Denver Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for Free  

Pedestrian crashes often result in more catastrophic injuries than many automobile accidents.  Pedestrians often have little or no protection from the force of an impact with a vehicle.

An experienced attorney may help you pursue any compensation you may be entitled to while you focus on recovering from your injuries. If you or a loved one was hit by a car while crossing the street, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free case evaluation with our Denver pedestrian accident attorneys.  If we are not able to win your case, you will not owe us anything.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ZINDA LAW GROUP

The attorneys at Zinda Law Group have years of experience in helping pedestrian accident victims seek compensation for their injuries.  Accident victims may suffer a serious financial burden caused by medicals bills and lost wages.  Our team works to help victims focus on their physical recovery while their attorney handles their injury claim.  

Pedestrian accident claims may be very different from automobile collisions in terms of the extent of injuries involved, as well as the nature of the claim and relevant laws.  Our attorneys may help you better understand your legal options following your accident as well as the next steps to take. Zinda Law Group’s experienced team of professionals may help you recover from the economic impact of a serious pedestrian accident.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT

1. Call the Police

If you have been involved in a Denver pedestrian accident, you should notify law enforcement as soon as possible.  Law enforcement may take statements from you, the driver who hit you, and any witnesses to the incident.  Before you leave the scene after speaking with law enforcement, you should be sure to ask how to obtain a copy of the accident report once it has been prepared by the officer.  This accident or police report may be helpful to your attorney in preparing your Denver pedestrian accident lawsuit.

2. Seek Medical Attention

You should also seek medical attention as soon as possible after your accident.  It is important to identify and treat any potential injuries. Pedestrian accidents may involve serious or life-threatening injuries. Many injuries may not be readily apparent, such as internal injuries. Victims of pedestrian accidents may be at an increased risk of severe injuries because there is less protection for the rider than in a passenger vehicle. If you have been struck by a vehicle, seek immediate medical attention to diagnose and treat your injuries.

You should also keep thorough documentation of your medical diagnosis and treatment following the accident. This medical documentation, such as hospital records and medical bills, may help your pedestrian injury lawyer gather evidence to support your claim.

3. Document the Scene

Thorough documentation of the accident and your injuries is crucial to supporting your pedestrian accident claim. You should gather contact information and statements from any witnesses to the accident. Take pictures of the accident scene and pictures of the vehicle that struck you if possible. This documentation may help your Denver pedestrian accident lawyer prove the driver’s liability for the accident.

4. Call A Personal Injury Lawyer

Perhaps the most important step to take following your accident may be to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you consider your legal options and seek compensation for your injuries.  Your attorney may help you focus on recovering from your injuries while your lawyer pursues your claim.  An experienced attorney may level the playing field between you and the insurance company.  Insurers have a team of lawyers and claims adjusters hired to make sure the insurer pays as little as possible to settle any claims.  Your pedestrian accident lawyer may negotiate with the insurer on your behalf to pursue a mutually acceptable settlement offer.

Read More:  How to Calculate the Value of a Personal Injury Claim

COLORADO PEDESTRIAN LAWS

CO Rev. Stat. § 42-4-802 establishes a right-of-way for pedestrians in crosswalks.  Pursuant to this statute, if there are no traffic control signals in place, or these signals are not in operation, drivers must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrians crossing the roadway within a crosswalk.  The statute also provides a right-of-way to any pedestrians using a crosswalk while a “Walk” sign is illuminated.  Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians with the right-of-way in these crosswalks or intersections may be liable for any injuries suffered by a pedestrian the driver hits.

Further, the Colorado Driver Handbook advises drivers that pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections and crosswalks and that drivers “must come to a complete stop and let the person pass safely.”  The Handbook also advises drivers that they “must do everything [they] can to prevent striking a pedestrian or another vehicle, regardless of the circumstances.”

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN COLORADO

Pedestrian accidents are subject to the same legal time limits imposed on other personal injury lawsuits in Colorado.  This legal time limits, known as a statute of limitations, sets the timeframe during which a victim may file a lawsuit to pursue compensation after an accident.  Pursuant to CO Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102 and CO Rev. Stat. § 13-21-204, any pedestrian injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident in Colorado.  If the victim fails to file a lawsuit within two years of the accident, the victim may not be allowed to file any claim for compensation as it will be time-barred once the statute of limitations has expired.

GET A CASE REVIEW FROM ZINDA LAW GROUP

The Denver personal injury lawyers at Zinda Law Group may assist you with your claim. We help our Denver clients pursue the maximum compensation they may be entitled to as a victim of a pedestrian accident. We believe our clients should not have to worry about affording legal representation after an accident, which is why we work on a contingency fee basis.  If we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us anything.

Call (800) 863-5312 today for a free consultation with one of our Denver personal injury attorneys.

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