Indiana Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Representing injured victims in Indiana
The Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Langer & Langer Are Committed to your Recovery
If you were injured or your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident in Indiana, you have the right to seek damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. Our pedestrian accident lawyers have more than 100 years of combined experience helping injured victims in Indiana win claims for damages. We can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other harm you have endured.
Do not jeopardize your financial recovery. Contact Langer & Langer online or call a pedestrian accident lawyer at 219-246-4759 to find out how we can help you win your claim.
Pedestrian Accidents in Indiana
Pedestrian accidents are an undeniable problem for the people of Indiana and throughout the nation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 6,205 pedestrians were killed in the United States in 2019, the most recent year for which data was available. That is equal to one pedestrian fatality every 85 minutes. In Indiana, there were 1,573 pedestrian collisions that same year. Approximately 11% of people killed in fatality traffic accidents in the state were pedestrians. Victims who survived often suffered catastrophic injuries that left them unable to work, paralyzed, or dependent on life-sustaining medical equipment to survive.
Common Injuries Caused by Pedestrian Accidents in Indiana
- Amputation
- Fractures
- Internal Injuries
- Neck Injuries
- PTSD
- Skull Fracture Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Wrongful Death
Contributing Factors in Indiana Pedestrian Accidents
Drivers in Indiana owe a duty to pedestrians to exercise reasonable care when they are behind the wheel. Failure to do so constitutes negligence, and the driver can be held legally liable for any injuries or deaths that result. Negligent behaviors that contribute to pedestrian accidents in Indiana include, but are not limited to:
- Distracted Driving
- Driving While Impaired by Alcohol or Drugs
- Drowsy Driving
- Failing to Obey Traffic Signs and Signals
- Failing to Use Caution in School Zones
- Failing to Use Turn Signals
- Failing to Yield the Right-of-Way to Pedestrians
- Not Checking Rear View Mirrors or Back-Up Cameras when Reversing
- Speeding or Driving Too Fast for Conditions
When and Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
Although pedestrian accidents can occur virtually anytime a person is walking, skateboarding, scootering, jogging, riding in a wheelchair, or riding a bicycle, they are more likely to occur during certain times of the day and in specific locations. According to the NHTSA, the largest percentage of pedestrian accidents occur in the early evening hours between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM. 72% of collisions involving pedestrians happen after dark. Other findings include:
- 73% of pedestrian deaths occur in urban areas
- 69% of pedestrian accidents happen at non-intersections
- 31% of pedestrian accident occur at intersections
- Pedestrian accidents are common in bike lanes, sidewalks, and walking paths
- The largest number of pedestrian deaths occur on Saturdays
- Nearly half of pedestrian accidents involving young children happen when a vehicle is backing up in a driveway
Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims in Indiana
Indiana law allows pedestrians who are hit by motor vehicles to file personal injury claims or lawsuits against the negligent party to receive compensation. Compensatory damages are designed to compensate the victim for out-of-pocket expenses and other losses caused by the collision. These are often referred to as economic and non-economic damages.
If you were hit by a motor vehicle and the driver was negligent, our Indiana pedestrian accident lawyers may be able to help you receive payment for:
- Medical Expenses
You may be entitled to compensation to pay for the care you received from paramedics at the scene, the ambulance, emergency room treatment, surgeries, extended hospital stays, x-rays and other imaging, laboratory tests, prescription medications, medical devices and equipment, in-home nursing care, and medically necessary modifications to your home or vehicle.
- Lost Wages
If your injuries are so severe that you are unable to return to work, our pedestrian accident lawyers can help you recover your lost wages. If you are able to return to your job, but you must work fewer hours or take a position that pays less, we can help you recover compensation to make up the difference.
- Pain and Suffering
If your injuries cause you to suffer from physical pain or emotional distress, you are forced to endure ongoing medical treatment or multiple surgeries, or you are unable to enjoy activities you enjoyed prior to your accident, you may be able to recover for these non-economic losses.
- Punitive Damages
Unlike compensatory damages, which are designed to make the victim whole, punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and prevent similar actions in the future. These damages are sometimes awarded in cases involving malicious acts and those that are extremely reckless.
Pedestrian Accident FAQs
Pedestrian accident victims in Indiana generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit in civil court. Exceptions exist, however. A pedestrian accident attorney can evaluate your case to determine whether special circumstances exist.
Yes. Indiana law permits parents to sue negligent drivers on behalf of injured children who are minors. You may be able to recover for your child’s economic and non-economic losses.
If the driver who hit you was uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to file a claim for damages against your own uninsured/uninsured motorist policy.
Call the pedestrian accident lawyers at Langer & Langer at 219-246-4759 or contact us online to review your case.