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Raleigh Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been hit by a vehicle while walking in North Carolina’s capital city, it is important to contact an experienced Raleigh pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

A walk through the Oakwood neighborhood, crossing the street near the North Carolina State Capitol, or navigating Fayetteville Street should never end with a trip to the emergency room. Unfortunately, for many pedestrians, one driver’s moment of carelessness can cause lasting harm.

At Maginnis Howard, we know how difficult life can become after a pedestrian accident. Victims often face serious injuries, unexpected medical costs, time away from work, and emotional distress. We’re here to provide clear legal guidance and strong representation to pedestrians injured in Raleigh and throughout Wake County.

Raleigh Pedestrian Accident Guide

Why Choose Our Raleigh Pedestrian Accident Lawyers to Fight for You

If you’ve been hurt in a Raleigh pedestrian accident, it’s important to have a legal team that understands the unique challenges these cases bring. At Maginnis Howard, we focus on pedestrian injury claims and work hard to show how a driver’s negligence caused your injuries.

How Our Raleigh Pedestrian Injury Attorneys Investigate Your Case

A successful claim starts with a thorough investigation. Our Raleigh pedestrian injury attorneys examine every detail of your incident. We gather police reports, which often detail scenes near landmarks like Moore Square or along routes like Glenwood Avenue. We also interview eyewitnesses, as their accounts can be vital.

When possible, we secure traffic or surveillance footage from nearby businesses, which can clearly illustrate the driver’s actions and support your account of the incident.

Proving Driver Negligence After a Pedestrian Accident in Raleigh, NC

Proving driver negligence is crucial, particularly under North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence laws. A lawyer for pedestrians hit by cars in Raleigh from our firm focuses on showing the driver’s failure to use reasonable care. This might involve proving they were speeding, distracted, or failed to yield right-of-way.

We analyze accident scenes, sometimes with reconstruction experts, to show how the driver’s actions directly caused your injuries. Our goal is a clear narrative establishing the other party’s fault, which is key for anyone needing a Wake County pedestrian accident lawyer.

How We Secure Maximum Compensation for Raleigh Pedestrian Accident Victims

Dealing with insurance companies after a pedestrian accident is often complex. Adjusters may try to minimize payouts or assign blame to you. The Raleigh pedestrian accidents lawyers at Maginnis Howard act as your advocates during these negotiations.

We manage all insurance communications, protecting you from their tactics. We prepare and present your claim, detailing all damages, and firmly negotiate for a settlement reflecting what you’ve suffered.

Damages You Can Recover After Being Hit by a Car in Raleigh

Being hit by a vehicle often results in a range of serious consequences, both physical and financial. At Maginnis Howard, we meticulously assess every aspect of your suffering and financial hardship to build a comprehensive claim for damages. 

Our goal is to secure compensation that truly reflects the full impact of the accident on your life. Victims of pedestrian accidents in Raleigh may be entitled to recover for a wide range of damages, which can be broadly categorized:

  • Economic Damages: These include all medical costs—emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medication, and medical devices—as well as lost wages and diminished future earning capacity due to permanent injury. Property damage, such as to phones, glasses, or other personal items, is also covered.
  • Non-Economic Damages: Compensation may be awarded for pain and suffering, emotional distress (like PTSD, anxiety, or depression), and permanent effects such as disability, disfigurement, or loss of mobility.
  • Loss of Consortium: In North Carolina, a spouse may claim damages for loss of companionship, affection, and household services resulting from the injury.
  • Wrongful Death (If Applicable): When a pedestrian accident is fatal, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim covering funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.

Understanding the full extent of your recoverable damages is complex. Our legal team works diligently to ensure nothing is overlooked, fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve.

The Long-Term Impact of Serious Pedestrian Injuries in Raleigh

Pedestrian accidents often cause severe, life-altering injuries like TBIs, spinal damage, and fractures. We know the impact goes beyond physical, including emotional trauma and financial strain.

We work with you and medical providers to grasp the full scope of your injuries and future needs. This allows us to accurately calculate damages and pursue the compensation you need after being hit by a car in Raleigh as a pedestrian.

How North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Law Affects Your Raleigh Pedestrian Accident Claim

A significant hurdle for anyone injured in North Carolina, including pedestrians, is the state’s adherence to the doctrine of pure contributory negligence. This legal principle is one of the harshest in the country.  In simple terms, if the injured person is found to be even 1% responsible for the accident that caused their injuries, they may be barred from recovering any compensation from the other at-fault party. Imagine you were crossing a street in Raleigh, perhaps a bit outside a designated crosswalk, but a car speeding and running a red light struck you. An insurance company might try to argue that your decision to cross where you did makes you partially at fault, even if the driver’s actions were far more egregious.  Under contributory negligence, this 1% of fault on your part, if proven, could mean you receive nothing for your medical bills, lost income, or suffering. This is precisely why having a skilled Raleigh pedestrian accidents lawyer is so important.  Insurance adjusters are well aware of this law and often use it to deny claims or pressure victims into accepting unfairly low settlements. Your attorney’s role involves thoroughly investigating the accident to gather all evidence proving the driver’s full or primary responsibility.  They also anticipate and counter arguments from the defense that attempt to shift blame onto you, the pedestrian. Your legal team will build a robust case showing that the driver’s actions directly caused your injuries, without any contributing fault on your part. Handling a pedestrian injury claim on your own is risky, as even a small misstep can cost you your case. A dedicated legal advocate from Maginnis Howard fights to protect you from unfair allocations of fault.  It’s also important for pedestrians to understand their responsibilities under North Carolina law, such as those outlined in N.C.G.S. § 20-174, which details pedestrians’ duties. Meanwhile, N.C.G.S. § 20-173 covers a driver’s duty to yield. 

Top Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Raleigh and How We Prove Liability

Pedestrian accidents in Raleigh often stem from driver negligence or recklessness. Understanding common accident scenarios helps our attorneys pinpoint liability and build a strong case for our clients. 

Driver Inattention and Impairment

A significant number of pedestrian incidents are caused by distracted driving, where motorists are texting, using GPS, or otherwise not focused on the road. Similarly, drivers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI/DWI) pose an extreme danger due to impaired judgment and reaction times.

Violations of Traffic Laws and Safe Driving Practices

Many accidents occur due to clear violations of traffic rules. This includes speeding or reckless driving, which reduces a driver’s ability to stop, and failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks or at intersections. We also see accidents caused by drivers ignoring traffic signals or signs or making improper turns without checking for pedestrians.

Situational Hazards and Negligence

Certain environments present unique risks. Accidents in parking lots or garages are common, as are back-up accidents where drivers fail to see a pedestrian behind them. 

Poor visibility, especially during dusk, dawn, or nighttime, can also contribute if drivers are not exercising sufficient caution or if street lighting is inadequate.

No matter the specific cause, if a driver’s negligence led to your injuries while you were walking in Raleigh, Maginnis Howard is prepared to investigate thoroughly and hold them accountable.

Severe Consequences: Common Injuries in Raleigh Pedestrian Accidents

When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the unprotected human body absorbs the full impact, often leading to catastrophic and life-altering injuries. 

The team at Maginnis Howard frequently represents Raleigh clients who have suffered a wide range of devastating harm. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can affect cognitive function and personality, and spinal cord damage which might result in partial or complete paralysis.

Many victims also endure multiple bone fractures, such as broken legs, arms, or hips, often requiring surgery. Internal injuries to organs can be life-threatening. Severe lacerations, abrasions (road rash), and, in tragic cases, amputations, are also seen.

Beyond the immediate physical wounds, significant psychological trauma like PTSD and anxiety is prevalent. The medical treatment for these injuries can be extensive and incredibly expensive, involving long-term rehabilitation and leading to substantial financial strain from lost income.

A dedicated pedestrian accident lawyer in Raleigh NC works to account for all these current and future damages.

Protecting Your Rights After a Pedestrian Incident in Raleigh

The actions you take in the days and weeks after being hit by a car, once you are home and have addressed immediate safety and emergency needs, can significantly impact your ability to recover fair compensation.

Continue and Document All Medical Treatment

Your health is paramount. Attend all doctor’s appointments, physical therapy sessions, and specialist consultations. Follow through with all prescribed treatments. 

Keep detailed records of every medical visit, medication, and any medical devices you need. These records are crucial evidence of your injuries and their impact.

Preserve Evidence You Control

Take clear photographs of your injuries as they heal. Keep any damaged clothing, shoes, or personal items from the accident in a safe place; do not wash or discard them. 

Start a journal detailing your daily pain levels, physical limitations, emotional state, and how the injuries affect your ability to perform daily activities, work, and enjoy life. Note any missed workdays or social events.

Be Extremely Cautious with Insurance Companies

Expect the driver’s insurer to reach out quickly, often with a lowball offer or tricky questions. Their goal is often to settle your claim for as little as possible or find ways to deny it. Avoid giving a recorded statement to the other party’s insurer without first speaking to a Raleigh Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer. 

Do not sign any documents, releases, or settlement offers without legal review, as you might unknowingly sign away your rights. Refrain from discussing the accident or your injuries on social media.

Notify Your Own Insurer (If Applicable)

If you have MedPay coverage on your auto insurance policy or other relevant coverage, notify your insurer about the accident. However, still exercise caution in your statements, even with your own insurance provider.

Contact an Experienced Raleigh Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer Promptly

The sooner you involve a lawyer, the better they can protect your rights and begin building your case. Evidence can disappear, and witnesses’ memories can fade. 

An early consultation with a pedestrian injury lawyer in Raleigh allows your attorney to provide immediate guidance and start the investigation while critical details are still fresh.

Why Trust Maginnis Howard as Your Raleigh Pedestrian Accidents Advocate?

At Maginnis Howard, we provide strong and compassionate representation for pedestrians injured in Raleigh. Our attorneys live and work in the area, giving us valuable insight into Wake County’s court system and local traffic conditions. This local knowledge helps us build stronger cases for our clients.

We fight hard against insurance companies while guiding you through each stage of your recovery. With a client-centered approach, we tailor our legal strategies to your situation and keep you informed every step of the way.

You do not pay anything upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay if we recover compensation for you. With a strong track record in complex personal injury cases, Maginnis Howard is a trusted advocate committed to helping you secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

Take the First Step: Contact Your Raleigh Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you were hit by a car while walking in Raleigh and are now facing the consequences of someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to go through it alone. The experienced pedestrian accident attorneys at Maginnis Howard are here to support you.

We will take the time to listen to your story, explain your legal options, and build a plan to pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. While you focus on healing, we’ll handle the legal challenges with aggressive advocacy and compassionate counsel.

Don’t wait to get the help you need. Call Maginnis Howard today at (919) 526-0450 for a free, confidential consultation. A Raleigh personal injury lawyer is ready to stand up for you and fight for the recovery you’re entitled to.

Maginnis Howard Personal Injury Lawyer – Raleigh Office

Address: 7706 Six Forks Rd Suite 101
Raleigh, NC 27615, United States
Phone: (919) 526-0450

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7706 Six Forks Rd.
Suite 101
Raleigh, NC 27615