St. George Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

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This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Dustin Lance following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. Dustin Lance, the Founding Partner, has handled many types of personal injury cases and is licensed in Utah and Idaho.

Pedestrian accidents often change a person’s life in a matter of seconds, especially when a vehicle hits someone walking or crossing the street. These accidents can cause serious injuries, emotional pain, and sudden financial stress.

Lance Bingham helps injured pedestrians understand their rights and options after a crash. Our St. George pedestrian accident lawyer focuses on people hurt in the St. George area and throughout southern Utah. Our goal is to help accident victims recover, pay medical bills, and protect their well-being.

When someone else’s negligence causes harm, injured pedestrians deserve clear answers, strong legal representation, and a path toward fair compensation and justice.

Pedestrian Accidents in St. George Are Often Serious

Pedestrian accidents in St. George often lead to serious injuries because pedestrians have little protection when a car, truck, or motorcycle hits them.

Many accidents happen in busy areas, near crosswalks, or along roads with fast-moving traffic. These crashes can result in long recovery times, high medical costs, and lasting pain that affects daily life and health.

Why You Need a St. George Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

A St. George pedestrian accident lawyer helps injured people understand the legal process and deal with insurance companies. Drivers and insurance adjusters often try to limit what they pay, even when the other party is responsible.

Having an experienced St. George pedestrian accident attorney helps protect your claim, gather proof, and fight for full compensation so you can focus on recovery.

Utah Pedestrian Laws That Apply to Accident Cases

Utah pedestrian laws explain who has the right of way and how fault is decided after an accident. These laws play a major role in pedestrian accident cases. Courts rely on these rules to decide whether a driver or pedestrian acted safely at the time of the accident. Understanding these laws helps injured pedestrians know how responsibility and compensation are determined.

Utah Crosswalk and Right-of-Way Laws

Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and follow right-of-way rules designed to protect pedestrians. When drivers ignore these laws, serious accidents can happen. Failing to slow down or stop at a crosswalk often places full fault on the driver. These rules exist to reduce injuries and protect pedestrians in busy areas.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in St. George

  • Distracted driving: Drivers looking at phones or screens fail to see pedestrians
  • Speeding: Higher speeds reduce reaction time and increase injury severity
  • Failure to yield: Drivers ignore crosswalk and right-of-way laws
  • Poor visibility: Nighttime or bad weather makes pedestrians harder to see
  • Impaired driving: Alcohol or drugs reduce a driver judgment and control

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

  • Traumatic brain injury: A hard impact to the head can affect memory, thinking, balance, and daily function, even when symptoms are not clear right away.
  • Broken bones: Pedestrians are often hit at the leg or hip level, which can cause fractures in the legs, arms, ribs, or pelvis that require surgery or a long recovery.
  • Spinal cord and back injuries: Damage to the spine can cause chronic pain, limited movement, or permanent disability that affects work and quality of life.
  • Internal injuries: Damage to organs like the lungs or abdomen may not be visible at first, but can become life-threatening without fast medical care.
  • Severe cuts, bruises, and road rash: Contact with pavement or a vehicle can tear skin and cause painful wounds that may lead to infection or scarring.

How Fault Is Determined in Utah Pedestrian Accidents

Fault determines who pays compensation after a pedestrian accident. Utah law looks at actions by both the driver and the pedestrian.

Utah’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

  • 50% fault bar under Utah law: Under Utah law, an injured pedestrian cannot recover compensation if they are found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident. This rule means the court carefully reviews each person’s actions before deciding who can recover damages.
  • How shared fault affects compensation: When a pedestrian is partly at fault but less than 50%, compensation is reduced by that percentage. This allows injured pedestrians to still recover money even when responsibility is shared.

Evidence Used to Prove Liability

Evidence is used to show who caused the pedestrian accident and how it happened. This often includes police reports, medical records, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and photos of the scene. Strong evidence helps clearly establish fault and supports a fair settlement or court decision.

What Compensation Is Available for Injured Pedestrians

Compensation helps injured pedestrians cover losses caused by an accident.

Economic Damages

  • Medical bills and medical costs
  • Lost wages and reduced ability to work
  • Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in St. George

  1. Get medical attention right away: Seeing a doctor protects your health and creates medical records that connect your injuries to the accident. Even minor injuries can become serious without proper care.
  2. Call the police and report the accident: A police report documents what happened and can help prove fault later in the claim process. This report often includes driver details and witness information.
  3. Gather information at the scene: If possible, collect the driver’s name, insurance details, and contact information from witnesses. This information is important for filing a claim.
  4. Take photos and notes: Pictures of the scene, vehicle damage, crosswalks, and injuries help preserve evidence. Writing down what you remember while it is fresh can also help.
  5. Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer: Speaking with a lawyer early helps protect your rights and avoids mistakes when dealing with insurance companies.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Pedestrian Accident

Insurance companies often prioritize their own interests. Knowing the challenges helps injured pedestrians avoid mistakes.

Challenges With Driver Insurance Claims

Driver insurance claims can be difficult because insurance companies often try to reduce how much they pay after a pedestrian accident.

Insurance adjusters may question injuries, delay responses, or argue about fault to protect the company’s money. These tactics can make it hard for injured pedestrians to receive fair compensation without legal help.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can help when the driver who caused the accident has no insurance or not enough coverage to pay for injuries.

This coverage may help pay medical bills, lost wages, and other damages when the at-fault driver cannot. Understanding this coverage can make a big difference in recovery after a serious pedestrian accident.

Utah’s Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accident Claims

Time limits control how long you have to file a claim or lawsuit.

Time Limits for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Utah law sets strict deadlines for personal injury cases, including pedestrian accidents. These deadlines control how long an injured person has to file a lawsuit in court. Missing the deadline usually means losing the right to seek compensation, no matter how strong the case may be.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

Acting early helps preserve evidence and protect your right to compensation. Witness memories can fade, and video footage may be erased over time. Quick action also allows your legal team to begin the claim process before insurance companies gain an advantage.

When a Pedestrian Accident Leads to Wrongful Death

Some pedestrian accidents result in the tragic loss of a life, leaving families facing grief and financial stress.

Utah Wrongful Death Laws

Utah wrongful death laws allow certain family members to seek compensation when a pedestrian accident results in the loss of a loved one.

These laws are meant to help families recover financial support for medical bills, lost income, and the emotional loss caused by the accident. Wrongful death claims must follow specific legal rules and deadlines.

Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable

Holding negligent drivers accountable helps families seek justice after a fatal pedestrian accident. When a driver’s careless actions cause a death, legal action can require that driver to answer for the harm caused. This process can also help prevent similar accidents and protect others in the community.

How a St. George Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help

An experienced St. George pedestrian accident attorney guides clients through every step of the process.

Building a Strong Injury Claim

Building a strong injury claim takes careful work from experienced personal injury attorneys who understand how pedestrian accident cases are handled. A personal injury lawyer gathers facts, medical records, and proof of losses to clearly show how the accident affected your life. Many clients report a very positive experience when their case is organized clearly and supported by strong evidence from the start.

Investigating the Pedestrian Accident

Investigating the pedestrian accident involves reviewing the scene, the vehicle involved, and the actions of everyone present. Experienced personal injury attorneys review reports, photos, and witness statements to understand what happened. This investigation helps show how the other party was responsible for the accident.

Proving Fault and Liability

Proving fault and liability means showing that the other party responsible acted carelessly and caused the injuries. A personal injury lawyer uses evidence to connect the driver’s actions to the harm suffered by the pedestrian. Clear proof makes it easier to hold the at-fault party accountable.

Calculating Full Compensation

Calculating full compensation means reviewing all losses caused by the accident, not just immediate medical bills. Experienced personal injury attorneys consider future care, lost income, and the lasting effects of the injuries. This careful review helps ensure the injured person receives fair and complete compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do pedestrians always have the right of way?

No, but drivers must yield in many situations.

Should I talk to the insurance company first?

It is safer to speak with a lawyer first.

What if I were partly at fault?

You may still recover under Utah law.

Can pedestrian accidents involve cars, motorcycles, or trucks?

Yes, pedestrian accidents can involve a car accident, motorcycle accidents, or truck accidents, and each type can cause serious injuries.

Do pedestrian accident cases happen often in St. George, UT?

Yes, pedestrian accidents happen in St. George, UT, especially in busy areas with traffic, crosswalks, and tourist activity.

Contact Our St. George Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you or a family member was hurt in a pedestrian accident, Lance Bingham is ready to help. Our personal injury law firm serves clients throughout the St. George area and southern Utah.

We understand how injuries affect life, work, and health, and we fight for fair settlements and the best possible outcome. Our team offers a free consultation so you can discuss your accident, injuries, and options with an experienced attorney.

Contact us today to learn how we can make a real difference and help you move forward toward recovery and justice.

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