GlastonburyPedestrian Accident Attorney

Pedestrians are at grave risk every time they step onto a sidewalk or crPedestrian accidents can be devastating, often leaving victims with serious injuries and long-lasting emotional scars. The road to recovery can be overwhelming, burdened by mounting medical bills, time away from work, and financial pressures. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a pedestrian accident, we can help you seek justice and compensation for your suffering.

At Tehrani Law Group, our Glastonbury car accident lawyers are here to support you through this challenging time. We pride ourselves in providing aggressive, approachable legal representation. We will stand by your side, ensuring you are fully informed and confident in your decisions. Our experienced attorneys work to secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Pedestrian Safety in Glastonbury, CT

Whether down by the river or through the historical district, Glastonbury is a beautiful city for walking. As our city continues to grow and traffic patterns change, pedestrian safety becomes essential. According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 7,522 pedestrian deaths and over 67,000 pedestrian injuries in collisions with motor vehicles in one year alone. This translates to a pedestrian fatality every 70 minutes. Tragically, the number of pedestrian fatalities has been on the rise, likely due to the prevalence of distracted driving.
Pedestrian collisions are most common at night when visibility is limited, highlighting the importance of wearing reflective clothing when walking in low-light conditions. Vulnerable populations, such as children and seniors, are disproportionately affected, accounting for over a quarter of pedestrian deaths and nearly 30% of injuries. While drivers are legally required to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and on sidewalks, negligence, and reckless driving continue to put pedestrians in harm’s way.

Pedestrian accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, often due to driver negligence or a mix of unfortunate circumstances. A brief distraction can have devastating consequences for a pedestrian. Several factors commonly contribute to these accidents:

• Distractions: Distracted driving has become one of the most dangerous and widespread causes of accidents. Whether adjusting the radio, chatting with passengers, or texting, drivers who take their focus off the road—even for just a few seconds—pose a serious threat to pedestrians.
• Impairment: Alcohol and other substances can severely impair a driver’s ability to react quickly, judge distances, and maintain control of their vehicle. Driving under the influence is a major factor in many fatal pedestrian accidents, highlighting the importance of never getting behind the wheel while impaired.
• Traffic Law Violations: Laws are designed to protect everyone on the road, including pedestrians. When drivers ignore these laws—such as running red lights, speeding, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, or not checking before turning—the risk of a pedestrian accident escalates significantly.
• Other Contributing Factors: Beyond driver behavior, poor weather conditions, inadequate street lighting, poorly maintained roads or sidewalks, or confusing road layouts make it difficult for drivers and pedestrians to navigate safely.

If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, you know how profoundly it affects your life. The injuries sustained often require extensive medical care and rehabilitation and may keep you from working for extended periods. The financial strain, with medical bills and lost pay, can be overwhelming. Victims of pedestrian accidents deserve justice, and holding the negligent driver accountable is a crucial step toward recovery. Our knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorneys are here to help if you want to discuss your case.

Pedestrian Accidents and Drunk Drivers

Driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances presents a considerable danger to everyone on the road, especially pedestrians. Alcohol, even in small amounts, slows reaction time, making it harder to respond to unexpected situations like a child running into the street or a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Judgment of speed, distance, and vehicle control is also dramatically impaired. A driver might misjudge the distance between their car and a pedestrian or overestimate their ability to stop in time.

These diminished abilities are a recipe for disaster, and impaired driving plays a substantial role in pedestrian fatalities. If you were in an accident with a drunk driver, it is important to hold them accountable through personal injury lawsuits. This provides a measure of justice and compensation to you and your family while also deterring others from engaging in reckless and potentially deadly behavior. 

School Zone Accidents

Accidents in school zones pose a serious threat to children, who are often less aware of the dangers of traffic and more likely to dart into the street unexpectedly. These areas, designed for safety, become especially hazardous during periods of high-traffic congestion, such as drop-off and pick-up times. Drivers speeding, distracted driving, and failing to obey traffic signals or crosswalk laws are common contributing factors to school zone accidents. Heightened vigilance and adherence to traffic regulations are crucial in school zones to protect the lives of children.

If your child was injured in a school zone accident, consult with an experienced pedestrian attorney to get the justice your family deserves. We will advocate for your rights and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.

Pedestrian Accidents and Injuries

Pedestrian accidents often lead to significant financial and personal consequences due to the extreme vulnerability of those on foot. Unlike people inside vehicles, who are protected by the car’s structure and safety features, pedestrians are fully exposed to the force of a collision. This lack of protection frequently results in serious, life-changing injuries. A typical pedestrian accident involves two impacts: the vehicle strike itself and the subsequent fall to the ground, both of which can cause devastating damage. These injuries often lead to permanent disabilities, profoundly affecting a victim’s life.

Accident Severity

Speed plays a big part in the severity of injuries caused by these accidents. Studies have shown the faster a vehicle is traveling, the greater the risk of severe injury or death to a pedestrian. Even at lower speeds, the potential for harm is significant, with the danger increasing exponentially as speed rises. Larger vehicles, like trucks and SUVs, are especially dangerous due to their mass and size.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports data that shows just how much speed affects the outcome of pedestrian accidents. A person on foot hit at 20 mph has a 46% chance of sustaining moderate injuries, like a fracture or concussion, and an 18% chance of severe injuries, such as a compound fracture. When a vehicle is traveling at 35 mph, those numbers jump to an 86% chance of moderate injury and a 67% chance of serious harm. The risk of fatality also climbs significantly—at 20 mph, the chance of death is only 1%, but it rises to 19% at 35 mph and over 80% at 50 mph.

Common Injuries Resulting from Pedestrian Accidents:

• Spinal Cord Injury: The spinal cord, which connects the brain to the rest of the body, is highly vulnerable in pedestrian accidents. Any damage to this vital structure can disrupt communication between the brain and body, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis.
• Internal Injuries: A crash can damage internal organs, including the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen. Internal bleeding is a major concern, as it may not always be immediately visible but can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A violent blow to the head can cause TBIs, ranging from concussions to more serious conditions, such as brain bleeds. TBIs can result in long-lasting cognitive issues, motor skill impairments, memory loss, and, in the most severe cases, death.
• Chest and Rib Injuries: Pedestrians struck by vehicles often suffer broken ribs, punctured lungs, or internal bruising in the chest area. These injuries can cause difficulty breathing, pain, and potential long-term respiratory issues.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Injuries to soft tissue can occur when a pedestrian is struck. These injuries, such as sprains, strains, and contusions, can cause long-lasting pain, swelling, and bruising, requiring extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation to heal.
• Psychological and Emotional Trauma: Beyond the physical injuries, pedestrian accidents often leave lasting psychological effects. Victims may get emotional injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, or a fear of walking or crossing streets.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: The force of a pedestrian accident can cause a variety of bone fractures, from simple breaks to complex fractures where the bone is shattered into pieces. These fractures can lead to prolonged recovery times, and complications like infections can further complicate the healing process.
• Crush Injuries and Crush Syndrome: When a body part is trapped or compressed during an accident, crush injuries can cause severe damage to internal organs and limbs. These injuries restrict blood flow, and when blood flow is restored, toxins can flood the bloodstream, leading to life-threatening conditions such as organ failure, toxic shock, or cardiac arrest.
• Amputation and Limb Loss: In some cases, severe crush injuries or lack of blood flow to a limb may result in the need for amputation. When tissue is deprived of oxygen for too long, it can die, making amputation necessary to prevent further damage and infection.

Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Help Secure Maximum Compensation

If a negligent driver has injured you, you can seek compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Navigating a pedestrian accident case alone can be complicated and stressful, but with the help of a Connecticut pedestrian accident attorney from Tehrani Law Group, you do not have to face it alone.

Our experienced attorneys will work tirelessly to pursue the maximum compensation available under Connecticut law, ensuring that your compensation covers both current and future medical expenses, lost pay, and other related damages. We will carefully assess both economic and non-economic losses, including pain and suffering. Your lawyer may recommend including factors such as medical bills, lost income, property damage, out-of-pocket expenses, emotional distress, disfigurement, and more in your claim.

Check out our case results to learn how we have helped clients like you. 

A Proven Track Record: Successful Pedestrian Accident Cases

$130,000 Settlement:

In one case, our client was involved in a minor fender bender and had pulled over to contact emergency dispatch. While waiting behind his disabled vehicle, a police officer arrived on the scene and accidentally struck our client with his cruiser. As a result of the collision, our client suffered damage to his back and knees. Although there were no permanent injuries, our client required nearly a year of medical treatment and physical therapy, which contributed significantly to the pain and suffering portion of his settlement.

$285,000 Verdict

In another case, our client was struck by a motor vehicle while crossing in a crosswalk. Initially, she suffered a fractured wrist, but over time, both hands developed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome in her left shoulder. The defense team disputed our case, arguing that our client was not in the crosswalk, that she wasn’t even hit by a car, claiming her injuries were pre-existing, and downplaying the extent of her damages. After a challenging three-day trial, we secured a $285,000 verdict, giving our client the compensation she deserved.

Statute of Limitations in Connecticut

In Connecticut, the general statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the injury. This means that to pursue a valid claim, you must file your lawsuit within two years of the incident. However, there are exceptions to this rule depending on the nature of the injury and specific circumstances. 

The deadline may be extended if the injury is not initially discovered, if the injured party was a minor at the time of the injury, or if the responsible party leaves the state or cannot be found immediately. Additionally, if the injury was caused by a government entity, such as a city or state agency, the time to file a claim may be much shorter—sometimes as little as 90 days.

Given these nuances, consulting with a Glastonbury, CT, pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after an injury is essential. This ensures you understand potential exceptions or time limitations that may apply to your case.

Connecticut Modified Comparable Negligence

If you are concerned that your own actions contributed to the incident, you may still be able to pursue compensation. Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning that even if you share some responsibility for the accident, you can still recover partial compensation from other at-fault parties. However, your share of fault cannot exceed 51 percent. An experienced Connecticut pedestrian accident lawyer can help reduce your percentage of fault and maximize the compensation you receive by effectively presenting your case.

Under Connecticut’s modified comparative negligence law, an accident victim is entitled to compensation if their level of fault is not greater than the other party’s. If an injured party is found partially at fault, their compensation will be reduced in proportion to their share of the blame. For example, if you’re deemed 25 percent at fault for a car accident with $100,000 in damages, your recovery would be reduced by $25,000. However, if you are found to be 51 percent or more at fault, you would be barred from receiving any compensation, even if the other party shares significant responsibility.

Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with one of our Glastonbury pedestrian accident attorneys to discuss your case and learn how we can assist you.

Contact Our Glastonbury, CT Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

At Tehrani Law Group, we have successfully represented many victims of pedestrian accidents, handling hundreds of cases through both trial and settlement in state and federal courts. Our team is known for its aggressive yet approachable legal approach, always prioritizing our client’s best interests. Our experienced Connecticut pedestrian accident attorneys are available to meet with you at a time that works best for your schedule. Contact us online or call our office today to discuss your case.