A Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case
Any car accident can be a devastating event, but this is especially true when pedestrians are involved. Because pedestrians are much smaller than motor vehicles and are more vulnerable than motorists, they often suffer more serious injuries.
The Advocates’ personal injury attorneys have been representing pedestrian accident victims for three decades. We understand the difficulties you are facing in the wake of your accident and we are committed to helping you throughout the recovery process to get your life back on track.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver in Iowa, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact The Advocates law firm today for a free initial consultation.
The Next Steps In Your Case
Injury
Immediately after your accident, check for injuries
Hire Attorney
Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery
Treatment
Seek medical attention as soon as you can
Medical Records
Keep track of any and all treatment you receive during recovery
Treatment Complete
Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward
Demand
Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party
Frequently Asked Questions
Consultations are always free. You will pay nothing to speak with an attorney to discuss your case.
Additionally, The Advocates work on a contingency basis. This means that there are zero upfront costs to hire an attorney. The eventual fee you will pay your attorney will be calculated as a percentage of your settlement. Our fee will come out of that settlement, not your pocket.
Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.
Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.
The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.
Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.
In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.
When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin. In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations.
If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.
We Get Results
In Settlements
A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case
For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.
We can help you:
- Understand the claims process
- Investigate your accident
- Build your case
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters
- Take your case to court if necessary
Talking to a Professional
- No need to schedule an appointment
- No need to wait for an email response
- Free online consultation
- Talk directly with an attorney
I was in an accident 3 years ago and had a very bad experience with the attorney back then I was in another accident last year and called the advocates mark and his team were amazing changed my view on accident attorneys they kept I'm touch with me every step of the way gave me authority on choices for myself I didn't have to go with what they said I could go against it and they still would have worked with me the same I had choices this time around I would always go with Mark I have even sent friends his way just cause I appreciate all the help and support the whole way threw.
My experience with the advocates was a good one. After being hit by a car on my motorcycle they helped me with a settlement with the insurance company to get the hospital bills paid. They were extremely helpful. They always answered any questions I had with in a day. Every email I sent was always responded to. If you unfortunately has to go through a injury by another person I would recommend them in helping you resolve any debt you have because if that injury. The Advocates were great to work with and help me get this unfortunate event behind me.
Steve and his crew at The Advocates were nothing short for amazing. They took my case after I was rear-ended resulting in neck surgery. Steve and company made sure all of the was taken care of and that I got the maximum compensation possible. I definitely recommend The Advocates
Mr. Brad Johnson, our lawyer; was Awesome! He was very informative, kept us up to date on my case with regular calls. He returned calls back to us within 24 hours or less. Brad Johnson is very courteous, honest, kind, and a pleasure to talk to and work with. There are very few Lawyers out there that could even come close to the high morals that Brad Johnson has and has shown towards us. We need more lawyers like Brad Johnson . If we ever needed a disability lawyer again in the future; it would be Brad Johnson and The Advocates Firm that he works at. We will definitely turn ALL of our family and friends towards this lawyer and firm; in a heartbeat!!!
I want to First say that I am truly thankful for the advocates Law Firm they have been a great service to me through this ordeal and Katie she is a tremendous lawyer someone that I would recommend she fights tooth and nail for her clients and the rest of the team they supported me to the fullest with that being said I would like to say for anyone who is trying to find an attorney to fight their case The Advocates is the way to go.
Iowa Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Where are pedestrian accidents most likely to occur?
- Most pedestrian accidents occur at crosswalks or in other urban areas
- Rural roadways away from intersections see more fatal accidents because vehicles are more likely to travel at high speeds
- Most motor vehicle accidents, including pedestrian accidents, happen in Polk, Scott, Pottawattamie, and Linn counties. These four counties account for more than 20% of the state’s traffic fatalities.
- Pedestrians accidents are more likely to happen in dark conditions than during the daytime or at dusk
Iowa pedestrian accident statistics
- In general, pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur in spring and summer months
- An average of 26 pedestrians are killed in Iowa every year
- 1 in 6 pedestrians involved in an accident is impaired
- Nationwide, a pedestrian is killed in an accident about every 81 minutes
- The number of pedestrian accidents in the United States has increased over the last few years
Common causes of pedestrian accidents
- Speeding: When drivers travel too fast, they decrease their reaction time and increase the risk of injury or death.
- Impaired driving or walking: Motorists and pedestrians are both more prone to making unsafe decisions when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Distracted driving and/or walking: Cell phone use, fiddling with music, and other activities can cause both drivers and pedestrians to become distracted from their surroundings.
- Failure to yield right-of-way: It’s important to be familiar with the rules of the road–drivers should yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, while pedestrians should yield when crossing at non-crosswalk
- Poor visibility: When pedestrians walk at night or in areas with low visibility, it increases their chances of being hit by a car. Pedestrians should walk in well-lit areas when possible and wear bright or reflective clothing to keep them safe.
- Pedestrians walking unsafely: Pedestrians should use sidewalks when possible and walk against the flow of traffic. Being as predictable as possible is the best way to keep yourself safe while walking.
Common pedestrian accident injuries
Depending on the severity of the accident, pedestrian injuries can range from mild to life-threatening. It is not uncommon for injured pedestrians to suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Broken or missing teeth
- Ligament tears or strains
- Lacerations and bruising
Iowa Pedestrian Laws
Where can pedestrians cross the street?
Iowa law states that pedestrians may cross the street in the following locations:
- At a marked crosswalk
- At an unmarked crosswalk (typically at intersections with a sidewalk on either side)
- Using a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing
Motor vehicles should yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks. If a pedestrian crosses the street at any point besides a crosswalk, they must yield the right-of-way to motor vehicles.
If a traffic control light is in operation at a non-intersection location, pedestrians may only cross in marked crosswalks.
Where should pedestrians walk when there is no sidewalk?
Pedestrians and those in wheelchairs should always use the sidewalk when possible and practicable. When a sidewalk is not present, pedestrians should:
- Walk on the shoulder of the road, as far from the roadway as possible
- Walk against traffic (usually the left side of the road)
- Strive to remain as visible as possible– wear bright and/or reflective clothing, especially at night
Who can use the sidewalk besides pedestrians?
There is no state law regarding the operation of bicycles and scooters on sidewalks.
Many municipalities, however, have their own ordinances regarding bicycles, motorized scooters, and mopeds on sidewalks. It’s important to familiarize yourself with local laws before riding.
What is the statute of limitations for a pedestrian accident?
For any personal injury claim, a plaintiff has a limited amount of time to file. After that time period is up, they lose their right of action. This time period is referred to as the statute of limitations.
In Iowa, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally 2 years. However, it is a good idea to file your claim much sooner than that. Personal injury cases can take a long time to settle, so it is a good idea to give yourself as much time as possible.
As soon as you think you may have a case, contact a personal injury lawyer so you can understand your legal options. The sooner your attorney begins working on your claim, the better your chances of receiving a settlement.
When Should I Hire an Iowa Pedestrian Attorney?
Not every personal injury case requires an attorney. However, if you are dealing with pain, injuries, emotional trauma, and/or financial damages in the wake of your accident, it’s a good idea to have a lawyer on your side.
Your attorney with The Advocates will help you throughout your entire recovery. We understand that every injury case is different, so we’ll provide you with help that meets your unique needs. If you need assistance finding excellent medical care or getting your bills paid on time, your Advocate can help.
Additionally, insurance companies will often do whatever they can to prove you had some responsibility for your injury. It will likely not be an easy road to obtaining fair compensation for your damages. Our team will take care of the claims process for you, so you can focus on feeling better.
We are here to help every step of the way–with an Advocate, you are never alone. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve an attorney who truly cares about you and your well-being. You deserve an Advocate.
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