Denver Pedestrian Accident Lawyer: Expert Help for Victims of Pedestrian Accidents

Understanding Pedestrian Accidents

On average, a pedestrian is injured in a traffic accident every eight minutes in the US. These largely preventable accidents with motor vehicles often lead to devastating and serious injuries for pedestrians. 

If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident, we can help you secure the financial compensation you need to fully heal. Our Denver pedestrian accident attorneys will fight to get you the maximum compensation to treat your injuries, cover your expenses, and get the justice you deserve after such a traumatic event.

Our Colorado law firm operates on a contingency fee, so we will never ask for legal fees until you receive a settlement. We make this “no fees until we win” promise to all our clients. Let us help you with your pedestrian accident injuries today. 

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Time and time again, studies show that many pedestrian accidents are caused by negligent drivers who fail to uphold their duty of care on the road. Pedestrian accidents are especially dangerous in urban areas like Denver and Boulder, where many people walk to work or school. These are some of the most common reasons for pedestrian accidents in Colorado: 

Speeding: Drivers who exceed the speed limit and disregard traffic laws endanger themselves and others. This is especially hazardous in residential neighborhoods and school zones where children play.

Distracted driving: Distraction from phones, music, talking, and eating can cause a driver to not stop in time or yield to a pedestrian. In Colorado, it’s against the law to text while driving.

Reckless driving: Reckless behavior, such as running red lights and stop signs, making illegal turns, and drag racing, can have serious consequences and carry heavy fines and criminal offenses.

Failure to yield right of way: In Colorado, drivers are required to give pedestrians the right of way at all intersections and crosswalks, even if the lines are not clearly marked. Drivers must always stay alert and focused to stop at a pedestrian crossing.

Failure to signal: Drivers who fail to use their turn signals when turning can confuse and throw off pedestrians. This is especially common when drivers make left-hand turns and may focus on the oncoming traffic rather than a person walking or jogging.

Driving under the influence: Approximately half of all fatal pedestrian accidents involve alcohol. Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s judgment and reaction time. In Colorado, it is illegal to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more. 

Injuries Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable people on the road. When pedestrian accidents occur with a motor vehicle, catastrophic injuries or death can result from the impact. Even injuries that may not seem obvious at first require medical attention. Our pedestrian accident attorneys have been successful in recovering compensation for these types of injuries:

• Broken bones: Fractures are common to the legs, arms, shoulders, hands, and wrists.
• Soft tissue injuries: Lacerations, sprains, dislocations, and tears.
• Spinal cord injuries: The most serious cases can lead to permanent disability or paralysis.
• Head and brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), like concussions, can range from mild to severe. 
• Neck and back injuries: A herniated disc or torn ligament in the neck or back can cause extreme discomfort.
• Wrongful death: If your loved one suffered from fatal injuries, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf.

Damages Available in a Pedestrian Accident Claim

Compensation in traffic accidents or personal injury cases falls into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages, also known as special damages, are meant to compensate victims for their actual financial losses. They include:

• Medical expenses, including doctor and hospital bills, surgery, and medication
• Lost wages
• Ongoing medical care, including physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
• Personal property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Non-economic damages, otherwise known as general damages, do not have a set monetary value. They include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma such as PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

It can be difficult to estimate the exact amount of your claim without the help of a pedestrian accident attorney. Our attorneys can review your case in detail and give you a fair estimate of your claim and possible damages. 

The Benefits of Working with a Denver Pedestrian Accident Attorney

An experienced Denver pedestrian accident attorney can provide you with all the help you need during this difficult time. After an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need legal representation from someone who will advocate for you. An attorney will assist you with every stage of your pedestrian accident case. At Alpha Accident Attorneys, these are just some of the excellent services we provide:

1. Carry out a full case evaluation

Our team of experienced attorneys will immediately get to work and gather all the information pertaining to the incident, such as your medical treatment and the police report. They will also talk to any witnesses who were at the accident scene and saw what took place to recover damages.

2. Discuss your options and provide clarity

Once we have everything together, we can discuss your options to determine whether compensation is worth pursuing. You can ask us questions about your claim, and we will not only answer them but explain things so that you will understand exactly what’s going on. We ensure you are informed about everything from what to expect to how much compensation your case may be worth.

3. Investigate the accident to build evidence

Our team will investigate your injuries to gather the evidence needed to prove you were a pedestrian accident victim and have the right to recover compensation. This may include talking to medical specialists to determine how your injuries will affect you now and in the future.

4. Deal with insurance adjusters so you don’t have to

As stated earlier, insurance adjusters work hard to get out of paying you. They have several tactics they will try to use against you and may even try to place the blame on you. We know how to deal with insurance agents and all the loopholes they will use.

First, we will try to negotiate a settlement that will compensate you for your injuries and other damages the accident caused you and will continue to cause you in the future.

5. File motions with the court

If a desired settlement with the insurance adjusters cannot be reached, we will proceed with litigation.

We take care of all the paperwork and the entire presentation regarding your claim. This includes creating a legal draft of the summons and complaint, filing for motions and procedures, building your case for the trial using legal strategy, gathering and submitting evidence, negotiating settlements, and more while continuing to keep you updated.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

As a pedestrian in Colorado, you have rights. If you were involved in a pedestrian accident case that resulted in injury from a negligent driver, you could be eligible for compensation. Follow these steps to get the most out of your personal injury claim.

1.  Call the police

Contact the local authorities of where the accident took place. Once the officers show up, tell them what happened and that you were injured. They will include this information in their incident "police" report. This is important because that report will be utilized as evidence in your claim.

When speaking to an officer, only disclose the facts of what happened. If there are any uncertainties, do not share that information. In relation, do not exaggerate or embellish your story. Again, this police report will be utilized later in your case, and you do not want to appear dishonest or unclear about the details.

2.  Seek medical attention

Always seek medical attention, even if you think your injuries don't require it. Some pedestrian injuries take longer to develop than others, and you may not know your body was harmed. Only a doctor or medical professional will know with certainty.

Internal bleeding, brain damage, and psychological trauma are a few examples of severe injuries that worsen with time. In some cases, these injuries can result in permanent damage or even death. You will need to undergo complete testing to rule out any serious injuries.

3.  Exchange information

Get information on the driver involved (if possible). This should include their driver's license, contact information, and insurance information. The driver of the car must provide this information. If they do not, you can collect this information from the responding officer.

Additionally, take photos of where the accident occurred. Capture all relevant details, such as the car that hit you, the conditions of the roadways, street signs, and so on.

4.  Talk to witnesses

Talk to witnesses who saw what happened and ask them for their names and contact information. Eyewitnesses can be very helpful in proving your claim.

5.  Hire a pedestrian accident attorney

The responsible party's insurers will eventually contact you for a statement about the accident. Although they may appear friendly and willing to help, do not share any information with them -- at least, not until you have consulted with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney. Any information you disclose to insurance adjusters can be used against you, consequently affecting your claim.

Once you contact Alpha Accident Lawyers, we will handle everything. Your only responsibility is to heal from your emotional and physical injuries.

Time Limit to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Colorado

Under Colorado law, most personal injury victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim against the negligent party. However, if the accident involved a motor vehicle, the statute of limitations extends to three years. 

In certain situations, the statute of limitations can be tolled or extended. For example, if the injury was not discovered right away but later, the time limit to file a claim can be extended to the time the injury was discovered. Accidents involving minors and government agencies 

It is always recommended that you speak with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. You do not want to delay the process and potentially lose your right to compensation. 

How to Find the Right Denver Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

To find the right Denver pedestrian accident attorney, follow these steps:

1. Look for Experience: Choose a lawyer who specializes in pedestrian accident cases, ensuring they have a deep understanding of local traffic laws and personal injury law. 
2. Check Their Track Record: Look for lawyers with a proven success rate in obtaining compensation for clients. 
3. Free Consultation: Many top pedestrian accident attorneys, including Alpha Accident Lawyers, offer free consultations so you can discuss your case without commitment. 
4. Client Reviews: Research client testimonials and reviews online to gauge the reputation and reliability of the attorney or law firm. 

Cost of Hiring a Denver Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Most pedestrian accident lawyers in Colorado operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they win your case. This fee structure eliminates the need for upfront legal costs, making it easier for pedestrian accident victims to obtain quality representation without worrying about expensive retainers or hourly fees.

If our attorneys win a settlement for you, we will take a percentage of your settlement award as agreed to in your contract. 

Our Denver pedestrian accident attorney will explain our fee structure during a free consultation. During this consultation, you have no obligation to sign. 

Colorado Pedestrian Accident Statistics

More than 100,000 motor vehicle accidents happen each year in Colorado. According to data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, fatal accidents involving pedestrians rose across the U.S. by 21% in 2020.

Colorado is also experiencing high numbers of pedestrian fatalities on its roads. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) crash data, there were 1,191 pedestrian crashes in Colorado in 2022. Of those crashes, 109 pedestrians were killed. It also shows that Denver County had the highest number of pedestrian accidents since 2010.  Many accidents involving pedestrians occur at night in more dense urban areas.  

Common Challenges in Pedestrian Accident Cases

One of the most common challenges in pedestrian accident claims is proving liability. When Denver pedestrian accidents happen, the motorist is more often than not found at fault for driver negligence, like speeding or distracted driving. However, there are instances where a pedestrian may be partially at fault. 

Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can be partially liable for an accident but still be able to collect damages. However, if your fault is equal to or greater than 50%, you will not be able to collect anything. 

Proving liability can be a complicated process. Not to mention, the other insurance company will want to claim partial liability to avoid a large settlement. This is why working with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer is very important. Determining who is mostly at fault requires a lawyer who can gather all the evidence, speak to witnesses, and negotiate with the insurance company and the other party. We want to ensure the best outcome for you so you can return to your normal life. Speak with our legal team today in a free initial consultation.  

Contact Alpha Accident Lawyers 

At Alpha Accident Lawyers, our Denver pedestrian accident lawyers will provide you with the help you need to recover the compensation you deserve. We will work tirelessly for you to obtain maximum compensation.

Schedule your 100% free, no-obligation case evaluation with us today. 

Alpha Accident Lawyers — Denver, CO
Address: 1630 Welton St., Suite 917, Denver, CO 80202 
Phone: (720) 799-9986