Representing Injured Members of Our Community
Karns & Kerrison is proud to be known as a law firm that stands up for our community by representing people who were wrongfully injured in accidents, including pedestrian accidents. If you were walking down the street, crossing a crosswalk, or moving through a parking lot when a reckless driver hit you, then we want to hear from you. Depending on the details of the accident, you could be owed significant compensation to help you get back on your feet without ruining your finances. Getting that compensation can be a challenge, but it isn't one that's too big for our firm.
On This Page:
- Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Providence, RI
- Injuries in Pedestrian Accident Cases
- Pedestrian Right-of-Way
- Pure Comparative Negligence for Pedestrian Accidents
- Call Our Firm for a Free Consultation
Get legal help from Providence pedestrian accident attorneys. Call 401-841-5300 or contact us online at your first opportunity.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Providence, RI
Our Providence pedestrian accident lawyers are here to thoroughly investigate your claim. To build your claim's strength and validity, we need to know what caused the pedestrian accident. An investigation might uncover what the driver did wrong and why that puts liability on them.
Pedestrian accidents can be caused by many acts of negligence, such as:
- Distracted driving, like texting and driving
- Drunk and impaired driving
- Failing to check for pedestrians when turning
- Failing to yield to pedestrians
- Ignoring school zone regulations
- Illegal U-turns
- Running stop signs and red lights
- Speeding in parking lots
Based on the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), about 75% of pedestrian accidents happen at night, so low visibility and poor light conditions can be considered causes of pedestrian accidents. However, the ultimate cause remains as a form of driver negligence.
Injuries in Pedestrian Accident Cases
Pedestrian accident cases usually involve catastrophic injuries suffered by the pedestrian. Our firm focuses on cases that include life-changing injuries, so you can call on us if you or a loved one were terribly injured in a pedestrian accident.
Injuries that can occur in a pedestrian accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Permanent scarring
Our firm can also help with wrongful death claims filed after fatal pedestrian accidents. We would be honored to fight for your loved one's memory.
When an injury is significant, it can take a lot of medical care to treat. It might also result in many weeks or months of missed work. For this reason, the worse the injury is, the higher the compensation owed to the plaintiff might be. We have the experience and resources needed to handle any pedestrian accident claim, including those that involve multi-million-dollar damages.
Pedestrian Right-of-Way
It is often said that pedestrians always have the right-of-way. This statement is not entirely true. Pedestrians must follow the rules of the road as motorists and bicyclists must.
Pedestrian right-of-way rules vary, such as:
- Pedestrians must use a crosswalk where available.
- Pedestrians must act with reasonable caution when entering the street.
- Motorists must take all reasonable measures to avoid a pedestrian accident, even when the pedestrian does not have the right-of-way.
If you were in a pedestrian accident, then we might have to prove that you had the right-of-way. We will be ready to counter the defense's arguments with solid evidence and convincing arguments.
Pure Comparative Negligence for Pedestrian Accidents
Rhode Island follows pure comparative fault rules when considering negligence and liability in pedestrian accident claims. Under this rule, you can file a claim against a liable defendant even if you were found to be mostly liable for the pedestrian accident. However, any compensation that you can demand will be reduced by a percentage equal to your liability, so it is still important to fight to keep your liability as low as possible with an attorney's help.
Call Our Firm for a Free Consultation
Learning about your rights as an injured pedestrian in Providence is easy. You just need to call 401-841-5300 and talk to a Providence pedestrian accident lawyer from Karns & Kerrison. We offer free initial consultations, so you can discuss your case without reaching for your pocketbook first.