Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles are likely to suffer severe, life-altering injuries. They often face costly medical bills, long periods of missing work, and ongoing pain and suffering. Oklahoma law recognizes that injured pedestrians have a right to compensation from the drivers who hurt them.

At Edwards & Patterson Law, an experienced Tulsa personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights after a serious crash. Contact us today to discuss your case in a free consultation.

What to Do If You Have Been Hurt in a Tulsa Pedestrian Accident

The actions you take after being hurt in a pedestrian accident will greatly affect your personal injury claim. The most important steps to take after this type of crash include:

  • Call for help: After a pedestrian accident, you are likely suffering from serious injuries. Call 911 so you can receive medical attention immediately. Documentation that you received medical treatment immediately will be important in your personal injury case. In addition, police officers responding to the scene will file an accident report that can help your case.
  • Exchange information: Obtain the driver’s name and contact information, as well as the driver’s license number and insurance coverage information.
  • Document the scene: If you are able, take pictures of the scene and get the names and contact information from eyewitnesses. This will serve as valuable evidence.
  • Talk to an attorney right away. Do not try to deal with the insurance companies on your own. Let an attorney handle all communication on your behalf.

How Is Fault Proven in a Tulsa Pedestrian Accident Case?

After a pedestrian accident, your claim will rest on the evidence presented. Some of the most important pieces of evidence in a pedestrian accident case include:

  • Pictures of the accident scene, the vehicle involved, and your injuries
  • Medical records that prove the extent and nature of your injuries
  • Police report that indicate a fault
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Paystubs and other evidence of the income you have lost due to the accident
  • Accident reconstruction analysis from an expert
  • Assessments from medical specialists, economists, vocational experts, life care planners, etc., on how your injuries will affect you in the future

Evidence is often very difficult to collect when you are trying to recover from injuries. A Tulsa pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm can handle all of this for you. Contact our Tulsa personal injury lawyer today.

Pedestrian crossing in the lane

Do You Need a Lawyer for a Tulsa Pedestrian Accident?

An insurance adjuster may act like you can handle a personal injury claim on your own. But that would only benefit the insurer. If you have suffered injuries in a crash, you need an attorney on your side to fight for your best interests. When working on your claim, a pedestrian accident attorney will:

  • Determine all potentially liable parties
  • Accurately evaluate your claim to ensure you demand the full amount of compensation you deserve
  • Work with experts to craft the strongest case on your behalf
  • Negotiate aggressively with the insurance company
  • Fight for you at trial if the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement

While working on your claim, a lawyer will act as your advocate and always ensure that your rights are upheld.

What Rights Do Pedestrians Have in Tulsa?

Pedestrians have many rights in Tulsa. When a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, vehicles must yield the right-of-way to those on foot. Drivers must also watch for pedestrians, and if a person on foot is approaching a crosswalk, motorists must stop so as not to place the pedestrian in danger. Other drivers are also not allowed to pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk, as the stopped vehicle may be waiting for a pedestrian to pass.

Although pedestrians have the right-of-way when in a crosswalk, they also have responsibilities. Pedestrians must use a crosswalk when crossing the street whenever possible. They should also never jump into a crosswalk, or into the path of oncoming vehicles.

Pedestrians should also always try to walk on a sidewalk. When a sidewalk is not available, pedestrians have the right to walk on the roadway, but they must walk on the side of the road, facing traffic. Contact our Tulsa car accident lawyer today.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Associated with Tulsa Pedestrian Accidents?

Any part of the body can become injured in a pedestrian accident, due to the fact that those on foot have nothing to protect them from the impact of the vehicle. In a pedestrian accident, the most common injuries include:

  • Head injuries: During a crash, pedestrians may hit their head on the vehicle, or fall back and hit their head on the road.
  • Internal injuries: The impact of a vehicle crashing into a body can easily cause internal injuries such as a traumatic brain injury, organ damage, and internal bleeding.
  • Pelvic injuries: The design of a vehicle’s hood, and the fact that it is often in line with a person’s pelvis, make pelvic injuries very common in pedestrian accidents.
  • Spinal cord injuries: Although a person’s spine may become severely damaged during a pedestrian accident, even a minor spinal cord injury can have significant impacts on the victim.
  • Broken bones: Bone fractures are the most common type of injury suffered during a pedestrian accident. It is not unusual for a pedestrian who has been struck to suffer from multiple broken bones.
  • Wrongful death: Due to the fact that pedestrians have so little protection and that vehicles weigh so much more than pedestrians, these crashes are sometimes fatal. If this is the case, a Tulsa wrongful death attorney may be needed for the case.

Regardless of the type of injury sustained, anyone involved in a pedestrian accident should speak to a lawyer to discuss their right to compensation.

Talk to a Tulsa Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Now

If you have been hurt in a crash, it is crucial that you speak to one of our pedestrian accident attorneys in Tulsa now. At Edwards & Patterson Law, we will fight to hold the insurance company of the negligent driver accountable. Our attorneys will work tirelessly in pursuit of the maximum compensation you deserve.

Call us or contact us online now to schedule your free consultation.

Visit Our Tulsa Pedestrian Accident Law Offices