What Happens When a Car Accident Involves a Pedestrian or Cyclist?

As a personal injury firm, we know that there are a lot of different kinds of motor vehicle accidents. Most drivers are familiar with “standard” accidents that happen with other vehicles, but sometimes non-motorists such as pedestrians or bicyclists are also involved, which can be extremely frightening for all parties. While these incidents are certainly rare, a little knowledge can go a long way in a bad situation.

Before we talk more about these accidents, it’s worth noting that a trusted car accident attorney from Van Law Firm can assist you with anything accident-related, but you must act fast in order to have a successful claim. Call our office nearest you today to schedule a free, confidential consultation. 

Vehicle Accidents Involving Non-Motorists 

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All vehicle accidents that involve pedestrians and bicyclists are unfortunate, and most result in serious injuries. Most people might assume that all of these accidents are the fault of the driver, but non-motorists can also be held liable for accidents and their resulting damages just the same. The claim process will look differently depending on which role a claimant played in an accident, and there are some things that each party should consider. 

In the event that you hit a non-motorist while driving, consider these questions: 

• Where did the accident take place? 

The location of an accident often says a lot about who may be liable. If the person was crossing the street at a designated crossing area, you may be held responsible for their injuries even if they didn’t have a “walk” signal. 

• When did it take place?

If the accident happened at night, it becomes more difficult to assign liability, especially if the non-motorist was wearing dark clothing or was not in a designated crossing area. 

• Was there any acknowledgement? 

Oftentimes drivers and non-motorists will make eye contact or hand gestures to acknowledge that they see one another before crossing. If someone cut in front of your vehicle without notice and caused you to crash, they may be found liable. 

If you were hit by a vehicle while walking or biking, consider these questions: 

• What speed was the vehicle traveling?

If you can, you should try and discern how fast the car was going–even if you were not in a designated area, the driver can still face liability if they were driving over the speed limit. 

• Did the driver see you or acknowledge you? 

As mentioned above, there is usually some level of acknowledgement between drivers and non-motorists. If you had the right of way and a driver did not see you or acknowledge you, you may be entitled to compensation. 

Need Help With Your Accident Claim? Call Van Law Firm Today 

If you need help recovering compensation for an accident involving pedestrians or cyclists, or have more questions about accident claims, call the experienced car accident attorneys from Van Law Firm today. We’ve helped countless accident victims get back on their feet, and we’re ready to help you and your family as well. Cal our location nearest you to experience the VLF standard for yourself.