For many, walking is part of daily life in Philadelphia. Whether you are crossing Broad Street on your way to work, running through Center City, heading to a Phillies game in South Philadelphia, visiting Reading Terminal Market, attending classes near Temple University, or enjoying a stroll along the Schuylkill River Trail, you should be able to do so without worrying that a careless driver will change your life in an instant.
At Greenberg Gross, our Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyers help injured pedestrians pursue compensation after serious vehicle collisions. Our attorneys understand how devastating these incidents can be and work to build strong cases that hold negligent drivers accountable.
We know pedestrian accidents can occur throughout Philadelphia, and a driver who is distracted, speeding, impaired, or simply not paying attention can strike a pedestrian with tremendous force. Since pedestrians have no airbags, seat belts, or steel frames to protect them from impact, these accidents often cause severe or life-threatening injuries that require extensive medical treatment and lengthy recoveries.
Of course, the physical injuries are only part of the problem. Many pedestrians face mounting medical bills, lost income, mobility limitations, emotional trauma, and uncertainty about how they will support themselves and their families after the accident.
If you were hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian, we may be able to help. Call (215) 602-7211 today for a free consultation with our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers.
Greenberg Gross LLP is ready to stand by your side
Why Should You Choose Greenberg Gross for Your Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Case?
In our experience, pedestrian accident claims often involve significant injuries, complex liability issues, and insurance companies seeking ways to reduce their financial exposure. Negligent drivers and their insurers may argue that you:
- Crossed outside a crosswalk
- Stepped into traffic unexpectedly
- Failed to pay attention
- Were distracted by your phone or something else
- Otherwise contributed to the accident
Even when a driver clearly caused the collision, insurers frequently attempt to shift the blame to reduce the claim's value.
At Greenberg Gross, our attorneys know how these cases are aggressively defended and how to respond. We investigate the accident thoroughly, preserve evidence, identify witnesses, review available video footage, and work to establish exactly what happened.
Our team has earned a national reputation for successfully handling complex litigation and high-stakes cases, including settling a personal injury claim for $10,800,000 for one of our clients. While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, you can be assured that we will bring that same commitment to preparation and advocacy to every pedestrian accident claim we handle.
When you partner with the Greenberg Gross team, you’ll work with attorneys who understand that a pedestrian accident can affect every aspect of your life. We take the time to understand how your injuries have impacted your health, employment, finances, independence, and future so that your claim reflects the full value of what occurred.
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Why Are Pedestrian Accidents Often More Serious Than Other Traffic Collisions?
Many people assume that pedestrian accident claims are simply another type of motor vehicle accident case. While many of the same legal principles apply, pedestrian accidents often result in significantly more serious injuries because the pedestrian absorbs the full force of the collision.
Even a vehicle traveling at a relatively low speed can cause devastating harm when it strikes a person on foot. Victims may be thrown onto the hood of the vehicle, projected into the roadway, or collide with nearby objects.
Because of this, pedestrian accident claims frequently involve catastrophic injuries, extensive medical care, and substantial future damages. The severity of the injuries often means insurance companies scrutinize these claims closely, since the potential financial exposure can be significant.
Where are the Most Common Locations for Pedestrian Accidents in Philadelphia?
Pedestrian accidents can occur almost anywhere, but certain areas tend to pose higher risks due to traffic volume, congestion, and interactions between vehicles and pedestrians. Common locations around Philadelphia for car-pedestrian collisions include:
- Busy intersections throughout Center City
- Broad Street corridors
- Market Street crossings
- University City near Penn and Drexel campuses
- Temple University neighborhoods
- South Philadelphia commercial districts
- Areas near SEPTA stations
- Sports Complex pedestrian routes
- Schuylkill River Trail crossings
- Shopping and entertainment districts
Many accidents occur when drivers are focused on traffic, navigation systems, parking opportunities, or other distractions rather than carefully watching for pedestrians.
Common Causes of Philadelphia Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents often occur when a driver negligently fails to recognize or respond appropriately to a pedestrian who has the legal right to be present. Pedestrian crashes may be caused by careless behavior, such as:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield at crosswalks
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
- Running red lights
- Making turns without checking for pedestrians
- Backing up without looking
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Aggressive driving
- Poor visibility combined with inattentive driving
Understanding why the collision occurred is one of the first steps in determining who may be held responsible and building a strong claim.
Pedestrian Accidents Frequently Occur When a Driver Makes a Turn
One of the most common pedestrian accident scenarios involves turning vehicles. Basically, a driver making a left or right turn may focus on oncoming traffic while failing to notice a pedestrian lawfully crossing the street. In busy areas of Philadelphia, drivers often become so focused on finding an opening in traffic that they neglect to check for pedestrians in crosswalks.
These collisions can be particularly frustrating because the pedestrian may have had the right-of-way and little opportunity to avoid impact. Our attorneys carefully investigate these situations by reviewing traffic patterns, signal timing, witness statements, and available video footage.
Serious Injuries We Commonly See in Pedestrian Accidents
Because pedestrians lack the protection available to vehicle occupants, car collision injuries are often severe. Some of the injuries frequently associated with pedestrian accidents include:
| Injury Type | Potential Impact |
| Traumatic Brain Injuries | Memory problems, cognitive impairment, personality changes, and reduced earning capacity |
| Concussions | Headaches, dizziness, concentration difficulties, and ongoing symptoms |
| Spinal Cord Injuries | Paralysis, chronic pain, and permanent mobility limitations |
| Broken Bones | Surgeries, rehabilitation, and prolonged recovery periods |
| Pelvic Injuries | Mobility challenges and extensive treatment |
| Internal Injuries | Organ damage and life-threatening complications |
| Soft Tissue Injuries | Chronic pain and functional limitations |
| Scarring and Disfigurement | Physical and emotional consequences |
Many victims require ongoing medical treatment, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other forms of rehabilitation long after the accident itself. The cost of these necessary medical treatments can add up quickly. We fight to recover every expense you incur because of someone else’s negligence.
How Pedestrian Injuries Can Affect Daily Life
The consequences of a pedestrian accident often extend well beyond the initial physical injuries. For example, many victims experience challenges returning to work, caring for family members, driving, exercising, or participating in activities they once enjoyed. Even typical daily tasks such as grocery shopping, climbing stairs, or attending social events may become difficult.
Serious injuries can also create emotional and psychological challenges. Some individuals experience anxiety around traffic, fear of crossing streets, sleep disturbances, depression, or symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress.
At Greenberg Gross, our attorneys work to understand and evaluate these broader effects because they are an important part of the overall damages suffered by each injured person.
What If the Driver Claims You Caused the Accident?
Many injured pedestrians worry that they may be blamed for the collision. Insurance companies sometimes argue that a pedestrian was at least partially at fault for the crash. Even when these arguments arise, they do not automatically prevent your recovery from a negligent driver.
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence system. Depending on the circumstances, an injured pedestrian may still be able to recover compensation even if they are found partially responsible for the accident. However, the final compensation amount may be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the pedestrian.
Because fault disputes can significantly affect the value of a claim, our attorneys carefully investigate and present objective evidence of what actually happened and who was to blame.
How We Prove Liability in Pedestrian Accident Cases
Pedestrian accidents often generate valuable evidence that can help establish fault. Our attorneys may review:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Traffic camera footage
- Business surveillance video
- Photographs of the scene
- Vehicle damage
- Medical records
- Cell phone records
- Event data recordings and vehicle movement information
Many Philadelphia intersections and commercial areas are monitored by cameras that may capture important details regarding the collision. When you partner with our team, we can help preserve this evidence before it is deleted or overwritten.
What Compensation May Be Available in a Philly Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Pedestrian accident claims often involve significant damages because the injuries are usually more severe. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for:
| Category | Examples |
| Medical Expenses | Emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, therapy, medication, and future treatment |
| Lost Income | Missed work, diminished earning capacity, and future income losses |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced enjoyment of life |
| Permanent Disabilities | Long-term impairments and lifestyle changes |
| Scarring and Disfigurement | Visible injuries and related emotional impacts |
| Other Related Financial Losses | Transportation expenses for medical treatment, home modifications, and additional personal care needs |
Our pedestrian injury attorneys work to document both current and future damages so that our settlement negotiations or jury demands reflect the true impact of your injuries.
Why Insurance Companies Fight Serious Pedestrian Claims
The more serious the injuries, the more aggressively an insurance company may defend the claim. Insurers often attempt to reduce exposure by arguing that the pedestrian contributed to the accident, that medical treatment was excessive, that symptoms are unrelated to the collision, or that the injured person has largely recovered.
These arguments can significantly affect settlement negotiations if they are not challenged effectively. Our attorneys understand these tactics and work to build cases with evidence that fully supports compensation for our clients' injuries and losses.
Why You Should Act Quickly
Under Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations, injured pedestrians generally have only two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your chance to seek payment for your legal damages.
Also, pedestrian accident cases depend on evidence that may not remain available indefinitely. Video footage may be overwritten. Witnesses may move away or forget important details. Physical evidence at the scene may disappear. Traffic patterns and construction conditions may change.
When you reach out quickly, our team can identify and preserve evidence before it is lost or becomes unavailable. This can make a meaningful difference when liability is disputed or serious injuries are involved.
Ask the Greenberg Gross Team...
What should I do after a pedestrian accident?
Seeking medical attention should be the first priority, even if injuries initially seem minor. Some injuries may not become fully apparent until hours or days after the collision.
What if I was crossing outside a crosswalk?
You may still have legal rights. Liability depends on the specific circumstances of your accident. We can further explain your legal rights during a free consultation.
How long will my pedestrian accident case take?
Every case is different. Factors such as injury severity, available insurance coverage, liability disputes, and settlement negotiations all influence the timeline.
What if the driver left the scene?
Hit-and-run accidents create additional challenges, but you may still have some legal options. We can investigate alternative insurance coverage and gather other evidence to help identify possible compensation options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Claims
Do pedestrian accidents usually result in higher settlements?
Not necessarily. However, pedestrian accidents often result in more severe injuries, which can significantly increase the potential damages awarded.
Can I bring a claim if I was hit in a parking lot?
Yes. Drivers still have a duty to operate their vehicles safely in parking lots, garages, and other private property areas.
What if the driver claims they never saw me?
Failing to see a pedestrian does not automatically excuse negligence. Drivers are expected to remain attentive and watch for pedestrians in areas where foot traffic is reasonably foreseeable.
Will my case have to go to trial?
Many pedestrian accident claims resolve through settlement negotiations. However, in some cases, litigation is necessary when insurers refuse to offer fair compensation. Our team can guide you through the legal process needed to resolve your claim.
Contact Our Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
Being struck by a vehicle can leave you with painful injuries, financial uncertainty, and difficult questions about your future. You do not have to face insurance disputes and legal challenges on your own.
At Greenberg Gross, our Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyers help injured pedestrians pursue compensation after serious accidents caused by negligent drivers. Our team can investigate the collision, preserve critical evidence, evaluate available insurance coverage, explain your legal options, and fight for your future.
Call (215) 602-7211 today to speak with our team and learn how we may be able to help after a Philadelphia pedestrian accident.