Pedestrian Accidents
Walkers, joggers, and cyclists hit by negligent drivers on Massachusetts roads.
A pedestrian in a crosswalk is supposed to have the right of way. You’d never know it, judging by how some people drive through crosswalks and intersections.
If you or your child was hit by a car while walking, jogging, or riding a bicycle, you may be entitled to compensation. For more than 75 years, Dane Shulman Associates has fought for injured pedestrians across Massachusetts. Call 617-298-2500 for a free consultation.
Common causes of pedestrian accidents
Most pedestrian accidents are caused by negligent drivers, including:
- Distracted drivers — talking or texting on a phone, using GPS, eating while driving
- Impaired drivers — under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medication
- Drivers who fail to yield at crosswalks and intersections
- Speeding and running red lights
- Drivers who don’t give cyclists enough room
- Backing up in parking lots and driveways without looking
Your right of way in Massachusetts
Massachusetts law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. When a driver ignores that duty, the law is on your side. Even when a pedestrian crosses outside a crosswalk, a driver still has a duty to use reasonable care — so don’t assume you don’t have a claim.
Talk to a lawyer, no matter how minor it seems
A car doesn’t have to be speeding to seriously injure a pedestrian. Getting bumped in a parking lot or on a side street can seem minor at first and become a long-term back or hip problem later. Even if you don’t think you or your child was badly hurt, get medical care and talk to us about the injuries that may surface later.
Who pays when a pedestrian is hit?
In Massachusetts, a pedestrian struck by a car may be able to recover personal injury protection (PIP) benefits for medical bills and lost wages, in addition to a claim against the at-fault driver. If the driver fled or has no insurance, uninsured motorist coverage may help. We sort out every available source of compensation.
Bicycle accidents
Cyclists face the same dangers as pedestrians, with little protection against a moving vehicle. We investigate bicycle crashes as thoroughly as any other, including “dooring” accidents, right hooks at intersections, and drivers who pass too closely.
FAQ
Hit while walking or biking? Let’s talk.
Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win. The sooner we start, the more we can do.