Alexandria Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

The negligent or reckless actions of motorists can result in traffic accidents or injuries to innocent pedestrians. Due to limited physical protections, individuals involved in pedestrian-vehicle crashes can suffer severe injuries, incapacitation, or sometimes even death. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when faced with an entirely preventable pedestrian accident in Virginia.

If you or someone you love was injured in a pedestrian accident caused by another person’s negligence, you may have a claim for damages against the person whose negligence caused the accident. At Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, we’re committed to offering personalized attention and compassionate representation to clients in their pedestrian accident cases. Our Virginia personal injury attorneys can examine every aspect of your unique circumstances and explore your available options to recover all of the compensation that you deserve.

Our goal is to help you move forward and be made whole, so reach out to us for a free consultation. Blaszkow Legal, PLLC proudly serves clients across Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, Fairfax, Springfield, Arlington, Prince William, Manassas, Woodbridge, Falls Church and more. We also represent pedestrian victims in Maryland and DC.

See what one of our Virginia pedestrian accident clients had to say!

Virginia’s Pedestrian Right of Way Law

It’s important to be aware of laws in Virginia regarding pedestrians. According to Virginia law, drivers shall yield the right-of-way to:

• Any pedestrian crossing the highway by stopping and remaining stopped until the pedestrian has crossed
• Any pedestrian crossing highways at intersections (when safe to do so)
• Any pedestrian crossing at clearly marked or unmarked crosswalks
• Any pedestrian on the adjacent sidewalk
• Any pedestrian boarding or alighting from a bus

Pedestrian’s Responsibilities

Pedestrians have to follow the laws, however, just like drivers. You have responsibilities—as well as rights—in Virginia, which include the following:

• Pedestrians must obey all official traffic rules and regulations that apply to them.
• Pedestrians must obey all pedestrian control signals.
• Pedestrians must always use the sidewalk when they’re available.
• Pedestrians must not dangerously interfere with traffic.
• Pedestrians must not step into a highway where they can’t be seen by approaching motorists.
• Pedestrians must not use the roadways for travel except when necessary and must always keep to the left.
• Pedestrians are prohibited from standing or stopping in any roadway to solicit rides.

Driver’s Responsibilities

Automobile drivers have a tremendous responsibility on the road, including the following elements:

• Drivers must take adequate precautions, drive carefully, and exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians on the roadway.
• Drivers entering, crossing, or turning at intersections must slow down or stop to allow pedestrians to cross safely.
• The driver of an approaching vehicle shall not overtake another vehicle that stopped for pedestrians to cross the road.

Fault Determination

Virginia is an “at-fault” state for auto accidents. Under the state’s at-fault system, the driver responsible for the pedestrian accident may be held financially and civilly liable for injuries, damages, and other accident related-losses sustained by the accident victims. In order to recover damages, you must prove fault by showing the following elements:

• The at-fault party owed you a legal duty of care
• The at-fault party engaged in a negligent or careless act that violated their expected duty
• The at-fault party’s recklessness or negligence caused your injuries
• You suffered bodily injuries, actual harm, or other losses due to the accident

A Virginia pedestrian accident attorney can handle your claims effectively, seek to prove fault and establish liability, and help you recover the maximum available financial compensation.

Contributory Negligence in Virginia

Additionally, Virginia operates using the “pure contributory negligence” system. According to the system, a person injured in a pedestrian accident may only be eligible to pursue damages if the at-fault party was totally (100%) responsible for the accident or injuries. Hence, if the injured pedestrian was partially liable for the accident—even if it was only 1%—they would be completely barred from seeking any compensation.

Statute of Limitations

Keep in mind that the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in Virginia, including pedestrian accident claims, is two (2) years of the accident or injury. This means that you must commence a civil action to recover damages within two years from the date the injury or accident occurred. Otherwise, you might be barred from pursuing your claim.  It is absolutely vital to call a Virginia pedestrian accident attorney right away, after the incident!

Damages Available

Here are some of the available damages that might be recovered through a pedestrian accident claim in Virginia:

• Medical bills, including the cost of ongoing and future medical treatments
• Lost wages and benefits
• Repair or replacement of damaged property
• Loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Mental anguish
• Punitive damages to punish the at-fault party for their reckless or willful conduct

A skilled attorney can help file your pedestrian accident claim and help you seek the financial justice you deserve.

If You’re the Victim of the Pedestrian Accident

To pursue financial compensation as the victim of a pedestrian accident, you can proceed by:

• Filing a first-party claim with your own insurance provider
• Filing a third-party claim with the insurer of the at-fault party
• Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party in civil court

You should always speak to an attorney before speaking to any insurance company. The insurance companies have skilled adjusters and attorneys reading to defend them, and minimize your claim – you should have a skilled attorney ready to fight hard to maximize yours!

If You’re Representing a Deceased Loved One

If your loved one died from a pedestrian accident or due to the resulting injuries, you may be entitled to seek wrongful death benefits. Under Virginia law, only the personal representative or executor of the deceased person’s estate may file a wrongful death claim.

Work With Skilled Personal Injury Attorneys

Getting hurt in a pedestrian accident can be a difficult and emotional experience. The incident can greatly impact your physical, emotional, and financial health. However, you don’t have to face the challenges and financial liability all alone. If you or someone you know was hurt in a pedestrian accident, act quickly and hire a personal injury attorney to advocate for your best interests and seek rightful financial compensation.

At Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, our attorneys have the resources to help clients achieve the best possible outcome in their pedestrian accident cases. As your legal counsel, we can walk you through the complexities involved in filing injury claims and recovering damages. Above all, we will fight compassionately for your legal rights, hold the responsible party liable, and help you seek fair compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. Call Blaszkow Legal, the Alexandria Injury Attorney, today: 703-879-5910

How We Can Help You

The careless actions of a car driver can cause accidents to innocent pedestrians. Those who travel by foot, bike, or scooter are vulnerable to being struck by a driver. Due to the limited physical protection, victims may sustain severe injuries, incapacitation, or even fatality. Incidents like these are entirely preventable, if only drivers were more careful when sharing the roadway. If you or a relative was injured in a pedestrian accident caused by another’s negligence, then you may have a claim for compensation against the at fault driver. Our team provides big results from strategic attention to your case. Contact us today for a consultation.

Types Of Cases We Can Handle

Distracted driving is a common reason why pedestrian accidents happen. However, it is not the only cause of pedestrian injury. Our team has extensive experience in helping victims recover financially and physically after being struck by a car. We have seen the way that people can suffer and are dedicated to the task of getting you through. The injuries tend to be severe and the person may not be able to return to the health they once had. We can ensure your compensation amount covers current and future medical care costs. Examples of cases we can handle pertaining to pedestrian injury include:

• Pedestrian accidents from distracted driving
• Pedestrian accidents from malfunctioning signage or signals
• Pedestrian accidents involving intoxicated drivers
• Pedestrian accidents involving trains, buses, or public transportation
• Pedestrian accidents involving rideshare vehicles
• Pedestrian accidents from commercial trucks
• Pedestrian accidents that caused catastrophic injuries
• Pedestrian accidents from collision with a motorcycle

What To Do After The Accident

Pedestrians can sustain injuries that are severe, catastrophic, and could leave them with new conditions or disabilities they have to manage. Sadly, we have seen insurance companies attempt to reduce or deny fair claims. These companies are for profit and may use your words against you or find other ways to diminish your claim value. But you can depend on us to be relentless in protection and advocate for your side of what happened. You have already suffered enough, let us help you. We are available to get to work for you right away. After the accident, our Alexandria, VA pedestrian accident lawyer recommends these steps in taking care of yourself:

• Call 911 and have the ambulance personnel examine you
• Have the responding officer write an incident report
• Get yourself to the nearest hospital for treatment
• Notify your insurance company about the accident
• Keep records of any out of pocket expenses
• Contact our team so we can represent you

Blaszkow Legal, PLLC

If a pedestrian accident left you with expensive medical bills and other losses, we can do everything in our legal power to give your claim the best odds of success. We can imagine the anguish you are going through, and are here to be of support. Our team is the resource you can rely on after sustaining injury in an incident that was due to the fault of another. At Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, your case matters to us. Let us consult with you further to learn more and then begin working for you. We hope to hear from you today.

Pedestrian Accident Glossary

When looking for an Alexandria, VA pedestrian accident lawyer, it’s important to understand some of the legal terms and concepts that may come up in your case. These terms aren’t always self-explanatory and often require clarification, especially when used in medical or legal settings. This glossary is designed to help current and prospective clients better understand some of the language used during the pedestrian accident claims process. Below are five terms that often appear in connection with legal representation for pedestrian injuries.

Right-of-Way Violation

A right-of-way violation occurs when a driver fails to yield to a pedestrian who is lawfully crossing the street. In Virginia, drivers are required to stop and remain stopped when a pedestrian is in a marked or unmarked crosswalk or boarding or exiting a bus. The law also applies when a pedestrian is walking along an adjacent sidewalk. Violations of these rules often lead to pedestrian injuries, particularly in busy areas like intersections or transit stops. If a driver ignores these obligations, they may be subject to legal claims based on their disregard for state pedestrian safety laws.

Pedestrian Control Signals

Pedestrian control signals refer to traffic signals specifically designed for pedestrians, such as “WALK” and “DON’T WALK” signs. These signals provide clear instructions to pedestrians about when it is safe to cross the street. In Virginia, pedestrians are legally required to obey these signals, even if a crosswalk appears to be clear. Failure to do so can impact the outcome of a claim or the ability to recover compensation. These rules are intended to regulate safe conduct and help reduce pedestrian traffic injuries in urban and residential settings alike.

First-Party Insurance Claim

A first-party insurance claim is filed with your own insurance company rather than the insurer of the at-fault driver. This type of claim typically applies when you have coverage such as MedPay or uninsured motorist coverage included in your policy. In pedestrian accident cases, a first-party claim may be necessary if the driver who caused the injury is unidentified, uninsured, or underinsured. It can also help cover immediate medical expenses while the rest of your case is being evaluated. First-party claims can be complex, and it’s often necessary to have legal guidance when dealing with your own insurer.

Third-Party Insurance Claim

A third-party insurance claim is submitted to the insurance company of the person or entity responsible for causing harm. In the context of pedestrian accidents, this usually means the driver’s auto insurance carrier. Filing a third-party claim typically requires supporting documentation, including a police report, medical records, witness statements, and photographs. Because insurers may attempt to minimize claim payouts, an attorney often plays a key role in assembling a strong, well-documented claim. Pursuing a third-party claim is a common route for injured pedestrians seeking reimbursement for medical treatment, time away from work, and other accident-related losses.

Wrongful Death Action

A wrongful death action may be brought when a pedestrian dies as a result of injuries sustained in an accident. Under Virginia law, this type of legal action can only be filed by the personal representative of the deceased individual’s estate. Compensation recovered through this process may include funeral expenses, lost income the person would have earned, and loss of companionship for surviving family members. These cases follow specific procedural rules and deadlines. It’s a sensitive and detailed process that must be handled with legal care to protect the interests of the deceased person’s loved ones.

If you or someone you care about has been hurt while walking or crossing a street, understanding these legal terms can help you better prepare for the next steps in your case. At Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, we help injured pedestrians throughout Alexandria and beyond pursue the full value of their claims, no matter the circumstances.

Don’t wait to get support after an accident. Call us now for a consultation and learn how we can help you take the next step.

Pedestrian Accident Attorneys In Alexandria, Virginia

If you or a loved one was involved in a negligent pedestrian accident, you may pursue fair financial compensation. Contact us at Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, today to schedule a simple case assessment. Our team can offer you the experienced legal guidance and vigorous representation you need in your case. Our firm proudly serves clients across Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Manassas, and Woodbridge, Virginia.