If you’ve been hit by a car while walking, you know how quickly your life can change. Pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries because there’s no protective shell around you like there is in a vehicle. The medical bills pile up fast, and you may struggle to work while you recover. That’s where CHASENBOSCOLO comes in. We help pedestrians injured in accidents throughout Fairfax recover the compensation they deserve.
Why Choose CHASENBOSCOLO for Your Fairfax Pedestrian Accident Claim
When you’re injured as a pedestrian, you need a law firm that understands both the medical and legal sides of your case. CHASENBOSCOLO has been helping injured people since 1986. Our team includes 27 attorneys with significant trial experience. We’ve handled over 1000 jury trials in the past five years alone. We’ve recovered more than $1.1 billion for our clients.
Here’s what we offer:
- We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case
- Our attorneys include Super Lawyers and AV-rated lawyers recognized by professional organizations
- We have personal injury attorneys in Fairfax ready to serve you with 24/7 client availability
- We prepare every case for trial if the insurance company won’t offer fair compensation
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Fairfax
Pedestrian accidents occur for many reasons, and understanding what caused yours is important to your case. Drivers are responsible for most pedestrian accidents through negligence.
Distracted driving is a common cause. When drivers text, check their phones, or adjust their GPS, they take their eyes off the road. Even a few seconds of distraction can be enough to hit a pedestrian. This is one of the leading causes of accidents in Virginia and across the country.
Speeding makes accidents worse. A driver traveling at 30 mph is more likely to hit a pedestrian than one going 20 mph. Higher speeds also mean more severe injuries. Speed-related accidents are particularly dangerous in pedestrian scenarios.
Failure to yield at crosswalks and intersections causes many pedestrian accidents. Virginia law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks, but many drivers ignore this rule.
Impaired driving, whether from alcohol, drugs, or medication, slows a driver’s reaction time and judgment. An impaired driver may not see a pedestrian until it’s too late.
Poor visibility also plays a role. Accidents happen more often at night, in bad weather, or in areas with inadequate lighting. Some drivers fail to use headlights or watch for pedestrians in low-light conditions.
Types of Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accidents cause serious injuries because pedestrians have no protection. The impact of a vehicle can cause multiple injuries at once.
Head and brain injuries are common in pedestrian accidents. A blow to the head can cause concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), or diffuse axonal injury. These injuries may not show symptoms immediately, but they can affect your thinking, memory, and personality for years.
Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis. Even if you survive a spinal cord injury, you may need lifelong care and medical equipment.
Broken bones are frequent in pedestrian accidents. Legs, arms, ribs, and pelvis fractures require surgery and months of recovery. Some breaks never fully heal. Fracture injuries often require extensive rehabilitation.
Internal injuries may not be visible but can be life-threatening. Damage to organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys requires emergency surgery and intensive care.
Soft tissue injuries include sprains, strains, and torn ligaments. While these may seem less serious, they can cause chronic pain and limit your ability to work.
Understanding Pedestrian Accident Liability in Virginia
Virginia has strict rules about pedestrian accident liability. Understanding these rules helps explain why you need a lawyer.
Virginia follows a rule called “contributory negligence.” This rule is harsh: if you are even 1% at fault for the accident, you cannot recover any compensation. This means the insurance company will try hard to blame you, even a little bit. That’s why having a lawyer who can fight back matters.
Virginia Code § 46.2-820 gives pedestrians the right of way in marked crosswalks. If you were in a marked crosswalk when hit, the driver was likely breaking the law. However, the insurance company may still argue you were partially at fault. They might claim you weren’t paying attention or stepped into traffic suddenly.
Liability depends on several factors. Did the driver have time to see you and stop? Was the driver speeding? Was the driver distracted? Did the driver fail to yield? Our attorneys investigate these questions thoroughly. We gather police reports, interview witnesses, review traffic camera footage, and consult accident reconstruction experts if needed.
What Compensation Can Our Fairfax Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Help Recover?
If you win your pedestrian accident case, you can recover several types of damages.
Medical expenses include all costs related to your injury. This covers emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, medications, and medical equipment. If you’ll need ongoing care, we work to include future medical costs in your settlement.
Lost wages compensate you for the income you lost while recovering. If your injury prevents you from returning to your job, we calculate your lost earning capacity. This is what you would have earned over your lifetime.
Pain and suffering damages recognize the physical pain and emotional trauma you experienced. Serious injuries cause real suffering, and you deserve compensation for that.
Other damages may include costs for home care, transportation, or modifications to your home if you have a permanent disability.
CHASENBOSCOLO works to maximize your compensation. We don’t accept the first offer from an insurance company. We negotiate aggressively and prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Insurance companies know we’re serious, and that helps us get better settlements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a pedestrian accident?
First, get to safety if you can. Move away from traffic if you’re able. Call 911 and report the accident. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt, get medical attention. Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and the vehicle if possible. Get the driver’s name, phone number, address, and insurance information.
Get contact information from any witnesses. Don’t admit fault or apologize for the accident. Anything you say can be used against you later. Call (301) 220-0050 as soon as you can.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Virginia?
Virginia gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. However, don’t wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses move away, and memories fade. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better. We can preserve evidence and start investigating right away.
Can I be partially at fault and still recover compensation?
Not in Virginia. Virginia’s contributory negligence rule means that if you are even 1% at fault, you recover nothing. This is why the insurance company will try to blame you. They might claim you weren’t paying attention, stepped into traffic without looking, or wore dark clothing at night. We fight these arguments. We prove the driver was negligent and you were not at fault.
How much is my pedestrian accident case worth?
The value of your case depends on several factors: the severity of your injuries, the cost of medical treatment, how much income you lost, whether you have permanent injuries, and how clear the liability is. A minor injury with clear liability might be worth $10,000 to $50,000. A serious injury with permanent effects could be worth much more. We evaluate your case carefully and give you an honest assessment of what it’s worth.
Do I need a lawyer for my pedestrian accident claim?
Yes. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize what they pay you. You need someone on your side with legal experience. A lawyer can investigate the accident, gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and take your case to trial if necessary. Most importantly, a lawyer can help you avoid the contributory negligence trap. We make sure the insurance company can’t unfairly blame you for the accident.
Contact CHASENBOSCOLO for A Free Consultation About Your Fairfax Pedestrian Accident Claim
You don’t have to figure this out alone. CHASENBOSCOLO offers free consultations for pedestrian accident victims. We’ll listen to what happened, answer your questions, and explain your options. We work on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
The statute of limitations gives you only two years to file a lawsuit. Don’t wait! Call (301) 220-0050 today to schedule your free consultation. Our team is ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve.