Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Jackson, Mississippi
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident as a result of a negligent driver, Mama Justice can help you. Contact our pedestrian accident lawyers in Jackson to get started on your case.
Walking to grab lunch or taking a leisurely stroll is something we should be able to do without any concerns for our safety. Whether you are walking in an urban or suburban area of Jackson, you expect to be able to make it to your destination safely. However, we see thousands of people harmed in disastrous collisions all too often. In Jackson and throughout the state of Mississippi, we see numerous pedestrians harmed in crashes caused by the actions of other drivers sharing the road.
Given the fact that pedestrians and bicyclists do not have the same protection as other motorists, they are more likely to suffer severe injuries after being struck on the road. Whether you were walking alongside the road, crossing the street, or riding your bicycle, you should never have to suffer as a result of a reckless, negligent, or malicious driver.
Should you be victimized by another person’s actions, you have legal rights and you deserve to be compensated by the at-fault driver. Reaching out to a Jackson pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible can help to ensure you are in the best position possible to get justice.
At Mama Justice, we work with victims who have been harmed in accidents caused by negligent and reckless motorists. Our team provides trusted and aggressive representation to help victims get the maximum amount of financial compensation available for their legal claims.
We never let our clients accept lowball settlement offers from self-serving insurance companies. Instead, we fight to ensure each victim we work with is able to reach their goals in recovery. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact our personal injury law firm in Jackson at your earliest convenience to get started on your case.
Types of Pedestrian Accidents We See in Jackson
When we hear people use the term “pedestrian,” we often think about people walking at crosswalks. However, foot traffic can interact with roads in a variety of ways. There are several scenarios that are likely to result in injuries to pedestrians. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) created a list of the most common circumstances surrounding pedestrian accidents across the country. These include:
Turning Vehicle Accidents
These accidents take place when vehicles make left or right turns without first checking for foot traffic.
Mid-Block Accidents
There are many instances where pedestrians are struck in areas outside of crosswalks. Drivers are less likely to look for pedestrians crossing roadways in unmarked areas. As a result, we see many mid-block accidents take place.
Walker/Jogger Accidents
People who are traveling in the same direction as traffic may not be able to see approaching hazards. Drivers who fail to exercise extreme care to avoid crashes are likely to strike joggers and walkers.
Multiple Threats
When people are crossing a street that has more than one lane traveling in either direction, vehicles may not be able to see the pedestrians due to their line of sight being blocked by other stopped vehicles. If approaching vehicles do not stop for pedestrians, they may not be able to react in time to avoid being harmed.
Bus-Related Accidents
City and school buses often play a role in mid-block pedestrian crossings. These vehicles can stop in designated areas to pick up and drop off riders. When people follow too closely, fail to obey traffic control devices, and pass buses, they increase the risk of pedestrians being seriously harmed or killed.
Not only do pedestrian crashes take place at an alarming rate on roadways across our area, but we see countless victims harmed in alleys, parking lots, and various other areas where both foot and vehicle traffic take place at the same time. Working with a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer in Jackson to discuss your accident can help you determine legal options available for you moving forward.
Contact Mama Justice – MW Law Firm online or by phone at (833) 626-2587 today for a free and confidential consultation.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Jackson
Pedestrian accidents can take place for a variety of reasons. In many instances, these accidents can be attributed to some form of negligence. Here in Jackson, nearly four out of every five accidents are caused by drivers engaging in reckless and negligent driving behaviors, such as:
Failing to yield the right of way
Pedestrians are often afforded the right of way at any designated crossing area and some unmarked locations as well. When drivers fail to allow pedestrians to cross safely, it can have life-changing consequences.
Speeding
When drivers fail to maintain a safe speed while traveling, they are often unable to stop to allow pedestrians to cross the road. In other instances, unsafe speeds prevent drivers from maintaining a single lane, and, as a result, they may strike pedestrians on sidewalks, shoulders, and other areas.
Driving while impaired
Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol are more likely to crash into pedestrians. There are many cases where drunk driving crashes occur when motorists drive up onto sidewalks and shoulders and strike innocent pedestrians.
Driving while distracted
Driving while using a cell phone, messing with the radio, or engaging in other distracting behaviors can have life-changing consequences for others sharing the road. We see many pedestrians injured as a result of driver inattention.
Drowsy driving
When people are tired or falling asleep behind the wheel, they are likely to lose control of their vehicles and strike others traveling in the area. These vehicles can veer off the road and strike innocent bystanders and pedestrians.
Running red lights
There are many instances where pedestrians take advantage of red lights to cross the road at intersections. Unfortunately, there are cases where drivers run red lights and, as a result, they crash into innocent parties crossing the road.
In addition, there are various factors that often contribute to pedestrian accidents. These include:
- Traveling at night, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. increases the risk of being harmed.
- Traveling in dark areas with dark clothing can make it difficult for drivers to see you.
- Traveling by foot during inclement weather conditions.
- Traveling in busy cities rather than in rural areas.
Pedestrian crashes across Jackson are becoming increasingly more dangerous. Over the past decade, we have seen a significant increase in the number of pedestrian deaths in our area and across the entire state.
When SUVs are involved in pedestrian accidents, the chances of catastrophic and fatal injuries are dramatically increased. These vehicles commonly strike the midsections of victims rather than their legs. This makes it more likely that victims will suffer internal organ damages than those who are struck by vehicles at lower areas of their bodies. These vehicles are also slower to stop when compared to other passenger vehicles due to their weight and they have more blind spots than other vehicles.
Children and elderly individuals involved in pedestrian accidents are more likely to suffer severe injuries in accidents. These age groups tend to cross roadways more slowly, which leaves them vulnerable to negligent and impatient drivers.
If you have been injured in an accident due to these or other acts of negligence, you should seek the assistance of a Jackson pedestrian accident lawyer at Mama Justice as soon as possible. You may have legal options available to help you recover.
Measures in Place to Protect Pedestrians in Jackson
Pedestrians throughout Jackson are afforded protection while traveling. There are several laws in place that are designed to protect pedestrians crossing roadways throughout the city. It is crucial that pedestrians obey traffic-control devices that indicate to “WALK” or “DON’T WALK.” These lights help guide pedestrians by providing them with a safe opportunity to cross the street with little worry.
Drivers sharing the road must yield to pedestrians who enter or are traveling in crosswalks. Vehicles should never pass others who are stopped to allow pedestrians to cross the road. It is also important that motorists never stop in or block crosswalks.
These rules were created under the assumption that vehicles will remain on the roadway where they are supposed to be and follow all of the rules. Unfortunately, these laws cannot protect pedestrians against drivers who fail to obey stop signs, red lights, and other traffic control devices.
The majority of pedestrian accidents we see in Jackson are caused by drivers. However, it is important to understand that pedestrians are required to act cautiously while crossing roadways. If you have been harmed in a pedestrian accident, you may have legal options available to recover.
Injuries Sustained by Pedestrians in Accidents
The fact that pedestrians are entirely exposed during accidents means they are likely to suffer severe injuries that require immediate medical care. Some of the most common injuries suffered by pedestrians involved in crashes include:
- Broken bones/compound fractures
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
Depending on the type and severity of injuries, victims may have to go through surgery, therapy, and rehabilitation. Given the vulnerability of pedestrians, these victims are likely to suffer severe injuries that leave them permanently disabled and unable to work. When pedestrians are harmed in Jackson car accidents as a result of negligent drivers, they may be entitled to compensation to help them move forward.
Call us at (833) 626-2587 to discuss your situation during a free consultation. You may also contact us using our free online case evaluation form.
Compensation Available to Pedestrian Accident Victims
The Jackson pedestrian accident lawyers at Mama Justice work diligently to help victims recover the maximum amount of compensation available to them. Our team will meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss your accident and identify all liable parties. We will gather evidence in support of your claim and help determine the amount of economic and non-economic damages you suffer then we will take an aggressive approach to help you get the maximum amount of compensation available to you. Some of the damages we help our clients recover compensation for include:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Long-term treatment costs
- Lost earnings/benefits for victims left permanently disabled
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages
If your loved one has lost their life in a pedestrian accident, Mama Justice will help you get the maximum amount of compensation available for these damages as well as financial compensation for funeral expenses, burial costs, and more by pursuing a wrongful death claim. Our law firm takes a knowledgeable and compassionate approach toward providing each client we work with only the most trusted and valuable representation possible.
Contact a Jackson Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
At Mama Justice, we treat our clients like family. We are committed to helping each person we work with achieve their legal goals and we are committed to empowering each of our clients to take control of their situation at the same time. We understand that most victims feel incredibly overwhelmed after being involved in a pedestrian accident.
We recognize the challenges that our clients face, and for this reason, we remain by their side every step of the way as we aggressively advocate on their behalf. We provide our clients with real insight as to what their expectations should be regarding the outcome of their personal injury case. We guide our clients through all the technicalities and help them understand where they are during each step of the legal process.
If you have been hurt in a pedestrian accident, you must act quickly to protect your legal rights. The Jackson pedestrian accident lawyer, Missy Wigginton, AKA Mama Justice is available to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss your accident and to help you move forward and get justice. We offer free, no-obligation consultations in Jackson and in all of our thirteen offices across Mississippi. Contact our Jackson pedestrian accident law firm today by calling (833) 626-2587.