Arkansas Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Arkansas Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury, contact our Arkansas Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Caddell Reynolds Law Firm today for a free consultation. You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Arkansas Pedestrian Accidents Guide

Why Do I Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

Hiring an experienced Arkansas pedestrian accident lawyer helps protect your rights and recover compensation. At Caddell Reynolds Law Firm, we know every aspect of pedestrian law and can help pursue the best possible outcome. Here’s how we can help:

Thorough Investigation: We’ll investigate the accident, gather evidence, and prove negligence to strengthen your claim.
Insurance Negotiations: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims. We’ll handle negotiations to ensure you receive fair compensation you’re entitled to.
Expert Legal Navigation: Arkansas pedestrian accident laws can be complex. We’ll guide you through state-specific regulations, including comparative negligence laws, to maximize your recovery.
Comprehensive Damage Assessment: We’ll evaluate all damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and future rehabilitation costs, to ensure every aspect of your injury is covered.

What to Do If You’re Injured:

Seek Medical Attention: Regardless of the injury type, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention after a pedestrian accident. Even seemingly minor injuries can have long-term effects.
Gather Evidence: Take photos, talk to witnesses, and document everything related to the accident.
Consult an Attorney: An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can help you understand your rights and guide you through the process of seeking maximum compensation. (Need Help After an Accident? Call us today to find out what steps you should take next)

Remember, even though pedestrians have the right of way in many situations, accidents can still happen, and knowing your rights helps ensure you’re fully protected.

Where do Most Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Arkansas?

Pedestrian accidents can occur anywhere people walk near traffic, but certain locations in Arkansas are particularly high-risk due to traffic patterns, visibility issues, and driver behavior.

Urban Areas and City Streets

Most pedestrian accidents in Arkansas occur in densely populated urban areas like Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, and Springdale, where traffic congestion and high foot traffic increase the likelihood of collisions. Busy intersections, shopping districts, and entertainment areas are common hotspots.

Crosswalks and Intersections

While crosswalks are designed to protect pedestrians, many accidents still happen here due to:

Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way.
Speeding vehicles that can’t stop in time.
Distracted or impaired drivers who don’t notice pedestrians crossing.

Unmarked crosswalks at intersections can be especially dangerous, as some drivers may not recognize them as pedestrian-priority zones.

Parking Lots and Driveways

Pedestrians are often struck in parking lots or while walking past driveways due to limited visibility and distracted drivers backing out without checking for foot traffic. Large shopping centers, grocery stores, and commercial buildings pose a higher risk.

School Zones and Residential Areas

Children walking to school or playing near residential streets are at high risk, especially in areas without proper traffic signals, speed bumps, or crossing guards. Despite lower speed limits, distracted or reckless drivers still pose a danger in these zones.

Areas with Poor Lighting or Visibility

Nighttime and low-visibility conditions significantly increase pedestrian accident risks. Many crashes occur on roads with:

Dim or nonexistent streetlights.
Sharp curves or obstructions blocking the driver’s view.
Adverse weather conditions like fog or heavy rain.

Zones with Poor Road Conditions

Hazards like potholes, uneven sidewalks, or poorly marked crosswalks can put pedestrians at risk. Similarly, construction zones may create situations where pedestrians are forced to walk in unsafe areas.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Arkansas

Pedestrian accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, and understanding these common causes is key for prevention. While drivers are often at fault, there are also instances where pedestrians themselves contribute to accidents. Below are some of the most frequent causes of pedestrian accidents in Arkansas:

Distracted Drivers: Texting, phone calls, or in-car entertainment can make drivers less aware of pedestrians.
Speeding: In areas where pedestrians frequent, like school zones or busy streets, speeding is a major risk factor. When drivers go too fast, they have less time to react to people walking or crossing the street.
Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way: Drivers often fail to stop at crosswalks, even when pedestrians have the legal right to cross.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s ability to see pedestrians and respond quickly, increasing the likelihood of an accident.

Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries due to the direct impact with a motor vehicle. Some of the most common injuries include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Spinal cord injuries
Broken bones (legs, arms, ribs, pelvis)
Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains, bruises, lacerations)
Internal injuries (internal bleeding, organ damage)
Facial injuries (fractured jaw, dental damage, eye injuries)
Road rash and severe abrasions
Dislocations
Nerve damage
Amputations

What Are Your Rights as a Pedestrian in Arkansas?

As a pedestrian in Arkansas, you have certain legal rights that help protect you when walking on the road. These rights are designed to ensure your safety and hold negligent drivers accountable. Here’s a breakdown:

Right to Safe Crossings: Pedestrians have the right to cross streets at designated crosswalks. Drivers are legally required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, whether they’re at marked or unmarked intersections.
Right to Compensation: Injured pedestrians have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Right to File a Claim: If you’re hurt due to a driver’s negligence, you can file a personal injury claim. This could include compensation for injuries, property damage, and emotional distress.
Right to a Safe Environment: Local and state governments are responsible for maintaining safe walking environments. If an accident occurs due to unsafe road conditions, the government may be held liable.

What types of compensation can I receive as a pedestrian accident victim?

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to several types of compensation. Each case is unique, but the following are the most common types of damages that you might be able to claim:

Medical Expenses: This includes all past and future medical bills related to your injury, such as hospital visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
Lost Wages: If you were unable to work due to your injury, you could be compensated for lost wages. This could also include future lost earnings if your injury affects your ability to work in the long term.
Pain and Suffering: This refers to compensation for the physical and emotional distress caused by your injury, including the pain you’ve endured, anxiety, depression, or any permanent disabilities.
Property Damage: If your personal property (like a phone or bicycle) was damaged in the accident, you could be reimbursed for repairs or replacement.
Punitive Damages: In cases where the at-fault party was particularly reckless or negligent, you may be entitled to additional punitive damages to punish them for their actions and deter similar behavior in the future.
Emotional Distress: Injuries don’t just affect you physically; they can also cause emotional trauma. You may be able to claim compensation for the emotional impact of your accident, such as anxiety, depression, mental anguish, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Factors Affecting Your Compensation:

The Severity of Your Injury: The more severe your injury, the higher the compensation you are likely to receive.
The Negligence of the Driver: If the driver was particularly reckless, you might be entitled to higher compensation.
Insurance Coverage: The amount of compensation you can receive often depends on the available insurance coverage. In some cases, you may need to pursue a claim with your own insurer.

Curious about the types of compensation you may be entitled to? Reach out to us now to get a personalized evaluation of your case.

Safety Tips For Arkansas Pedestrians and Motorists

For pedestrians:

Be predictable – always look both ways before crossing a street and do not make risky decisions that could cause a potential accident.
Remain visible – this becomes especially important at night. It can be difficult for drivers to see pedestrians, therefore, it can help if you wear clothing and gear that makes you more visible. We advise wearing bright, reflective gear if walking, jogging, or biking, especially at dawn and dusk hours.
Utilize sidewalks when available – walking on the shoulder of a road can be dangerous so when sidewalks are available, use them.
Do not get distracted – when walking, keep your head up at all times. Do not look down at your mobile device or do anything that will cause you to take your eyes off what’s ahead of you or around you.

For Motorists:

Do not drive distracted – don’t use your cell phone, eat, adjust the radio, or do anything that takes your focus off the task of driving. In doing so, you risk causing injury not only to yourself but to others on the road.
Drive with caution – this becomes even more important when driving at night or driving in inclement weather. During bad weather, visibility is decreased and makes it harder to see pedestrians on the road. Drive slowly and cautiously to avoid an accident.
Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks – pedestrians have the right-of-way at crosswalks and therefore it is important that you yield and allow them to cross the street safely.

If you have been seriously injured or if you have lost a loved one, call the experienced Arkansas motor vehicle accident attorneys at Caddell Reynolds Law Firm for help.

Contact an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Arkansas for a Case Review

If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, we are here to help. Contact Caddell Reynolds Law Firm at 866-738-6499 or online to schedule a free consultation. Our Arkansas pedestrian accident attorneys will fight so that you get the compensation you rightfully deserve!

Pedestrian Accident FAQ

What do I need to do right after I’m hit by a car?
After being hit by a car as a pedestrian, you should call 911 if you have severe injuries. If they are not, then you should call the local sheriff’s office to have a squad car sent to the scene because all accidents involving a vehicle and a pedestrian should be reported. Next, you need information from the driver who hit you, including their ID and their insurance information. Collect any evidence you can from the scene, which will primarily be photographic evidence you can capture with your smartphone. Lastly, if you aren’t taken to the hospital via ambulatory care, then you should still go to urgent care as soon as possible for a checkup.
I wasn’t in a crosswalk — do I still have a case?
Yes, you probably still have a credible pedestrian accident case, even if you were hit outside of a crosswalk. Although your liability could be increased if you are found to have been jaywalking or if you suddenly entered the road without checking for approaching vehicles, it does not automatically disqualify you from filing a claim. It is worth noting that crossing the street without a crosswalk does not always constitute jaywalking. Also, drivers always need to make an attempt to yield the right-of-way and prevent a pedestrian accident if doing so would not cause another accident.
What happens if you hit a pedestrian by accident?
If you hit a pedestrian by accident, you should immediately stop, check on their condition, and call emergency services. You may be required to exchange information with the pedestrian, including your insurance details. Even if the accident was unintentional, it’s important to cooperate fully with law enforcement and the insurance process.
Does insurance cover pedestrian accidents?
Yes, insurance can cover pedestrian accidents, typically under the driver’s liability insurance or the pedestrian’s own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. The type of coverage and compensation will depend on the details of the accident and the involved parties’ insurance policies.
What charges can you get for hitting someone with a car?
If you hit a pedestrian, you could face various charges, depending on the circumstances. These might include traffic violations like failure to yield, reckless driving, or even more serious charges such as DUI or vehicular manslaughter if the accident was caused by negligence or intentional actions.