Manassas Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Attorneys for People Injured After Being Struck by Vehicles in Manassas, Virginia

Walking is one of the most ordinary things a person can do, whether they are traveling on foot to a store, crossing a street to reach a destination, or going to or from their car in a parking lot. It should not be dangerous. However, when drivers fail to pay attention, obey traffic signals, or protect the safety of people on foot, the results can be devastating. Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles have no protection between themselves and the force of the impact. The injuries they suffer may be catastrophic, and the road to recovery can be long and demanding.

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our lawyers represent pedestrian accident victims, helping them hold negligent drivers responsible for injuring them. We understand how these accidents happen, what evidence is needed to establish driver negligence, and how to secure compensation that reflects the true and lasting impact of serious pedestrian injuries.

Why Pedestrian Injuries Are Likely to Be Serious

People on foot are vulnerable to harm in collisions with vehicles. A pedestrian has no seatbelt, airbag, or steel frame to protect them. Their body will absorb the full force of a vehicle that may weigh two tons or more.

When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the collision may occur in stages. The initial impact can throw the person upward and toward the vehicle. The pedestrian may then strike the vehicle's hood or windshield before being thrown to the ground, and each of these impacts may cause additional injuries.

A vehicle's speed at the moment of impact can also affect the severity of a pedestrian's injuries. A pedestrian who is struck by a vehicle traveling at 20 miles per hour may suffer injuries, but they may be able to make a recovery. When a vehicle is traveling at 40 miles per hour, a pedestrian will be much more likely to suffer catastrophic bodily harm, or their injuries may be fatal.

Serious Injuries Affecting Pedestrian Accident Victims

Pedestrians may suffer multiple forms of bodily harm when they are hit by cars or trucks, including:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

When a person's head makes contact with a vehicle's hood or windshield or with the ground, this can cause traumatic brain injuries. A pedestrian who is thrown to the pavement after being struck may not be able to protect their head during the fall, and the resulting brain trauma can have long-term or permanent effects on their memory, their ability to process sensory input, their intellectual abilities, their emotional regulation, and multiple other areas of their life. Traumatic brain injuries may require ongoing medical management, and they can lead to permanent changes to a person's daily life.

Spinal Cord Injuries

A pedestrian accident can place extreme stress on a person's spine. Fractures and dislocations of vertebrae may damage the spinal cord, leading to issues such as chronic pain, problems with mobility, loss of sensation, or complete paralysis. The physical and financial consequences of spinal cord injuries can be extreme, and they may include lifetime medical care, adaptive equipment, modifications to a person's home, and a loss of independence.

Broken Bones

Leg and hip fractures are common in pedestrian accidents when a vehicle strikes a person's lower body. Arm fractures can occur when pedestrians land on the ground. Other fractures may also occur throughout the body. Some fractures may require surgical repair and extended rehabilitation, and they can lead to chronic pain and ongoing physical limitations.

Internal Injuries

Damage to the spleen, liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, intestines, or major blood vessels may occur in a pedestrian accident due to the impact with a vehicle. Internal bleeding may be an issue, and it can put a person's life at risk if immediate treatment is not provided.

Forms of Driver Negligence That Can Cause Pedestrian Accidents

Accidents in which pedestrians are hit by vehicles are almost always the result of driver negligence. Our attorneys can help determine whether an accident may have involved issues such as:

Distracted Driving

A driver whose attention is on their phone, a navigation screen, or any activity other than driving may not see a pedestrian in a crosswalk or parking lot until it is too late. Distracted driving is a leading cause of pedestrian accidents in residential areas, shopping districts, and near schools and parks.

Failure to Yield at Crosswalks

Drivers are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Drivers may roll through crosswalks without checking for pedestrians, make turns without looking for people who are crossing the road, speed through red lights, or fail to stop at stop signs.

Speeding

Speed limits in residential areas, school zones, and near parks and shopping centers are meant to ensure that drivers travel at safe speeds and will have enough time to slow down and avoid hitting pedestrians. Drivers who exceed the speed limit may not be able to see and respond to a person on foot and bring their vehicle to a stop. This form of negligence can have fatal consequences, especially when drivers speed through residential areas, school zones, or areas near parks or playgrounds.

Drunk Driving

When a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they may experience visual impairments that prevent them from seeing pedestrians, especially when driving at night. They will experience delayed reaction times and coordination issues that may prevent them from acting quickly enough to avoid hitting a person on foot.

Negligent Driving in Parking Lots

Some pedestrian accidents may occur in parking lots when drivers back out of parking spaces without looking behind their vehicles. Blind spots behind a vehicle, distractions, or other issues may cause a driver to fail to see a pedestrian when they are backing up. However, drivers are responsible for checking to make sure the areas behind them are clear, and they may be held responsible for injuring pedestrians in these situations.

Contact Our Manassas, VA Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, we stand beside pedestrian accident victims and their families to ensure that they will be able to recover from serious injuries. We will handle every aspect of the legal process so that our clients can focus on healing and moving forward. Contact our Manassas pedestrian injury lawyers at 703-392-6686 to set up a free consultation today.