Bellevue Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Legally Reviewed By: Robert M. Knowles
Attorney & Partner At Knowles Law Firm
Pedestrian collisions create devastating consequences that far exceed typical motor vehicle accidents. When cars strike unprotected individuals, the resulting injuries prove catastrophic – traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, multiple fractures, and internal organ trauma frequently occur even at relatively low speeds. These severe injuries generate overwhelming medical expenses while simultaneously preventing victims from working, creating financial hardship precisely when recovery demands full attention and resources.
The attorneys at Knowles Law Firm have advocated for Bellevue pedestrian accident victims for 55 years. Our legal team understands the challenges of pedestrian cases and has obtained multi-million dollar settlements for clients suffering life-altering injuries. Our Bellevue personal injury lawyers thoroughly investigate each case, identify all responsible parties, and aggressively pursue maximum compensation while you focus on physical recovery.
Understanding Pedestrian Accident Claims in Bellevue
Bellevue Pedestrian accident cases involve distinct legal considerations that set them apart from standard vehicle collision claims. These differences significantly impact recovery if not properly addressed by your attorney.
Nebraska law provides special protections for pedestrians, particularly in crosswalks and intersections. Drivers must yield right-of-way in marked crosswalks and at intersections, even unmarked ones. This creates a higher duty of care toward pedestrians than toward other vehicles. Understanding these nuances helps establish liability in complex scenarios.
Additionally, pedestrian accidents typically produce severe injuries requiring extensive medical intervention. Healthcare costs often reach six or seven figures for catastrophic injuries, making accurate valuation of current and future expenses essential. Insurance companies frequently undervalue these cases initially, offering quick settlements that fail to address long-term needs.
The attorneys at Knowles Law Firm understand these challenges and develop strategies to overcome them. We partner with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and life care planners to build compelling cases demonstrating both liability and the full extent of damages.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Bellevue
Most pedestrian collisions result from preventable circumstances, often involving driver negligence or hazardous roadway conditions.
Driver Negligence
Many incidents happen simply because drivers fail to notice pedestrians or disregard their right-of-way. Common scenarios include:
- Distracted driving prevents the timely recognition of pedestrians
- Failure to yield at crosswalks or intersections
- Speeding through residential areas or school zones
- Improper backing in parking lots or driveways
- Driving under the influence
Our Bellevue pedestrian accident attorneys thoroughly investigate these crashes, analyzing driver statements, witness accounts, traffic camera footage, and physical evidence to establish exactly how the collision occurred and who bears responsibility.
Dangerous Roadway Conditions
Some pedestrian accidents stem from infrastructure problems rather than driver behavior. Hazardous conditions include:
- Poorly marked crosswalks with inadequate visibility
- Malfunctioning traffic signals creating confusion
- Inadequate lighting in high-pedestrian areas
- Missing sidewalks forcing pedestrians into roadways
- Construction zones lacking proper pedestrian accommodations
When infrastructure deficiencies contribute to accidents, government entities or contractors responsible for design and maintenance may share liability. These claims involve special procedural requirements and shortened filing deadlines, making immediate legal consultation essential.
Wrongful Death Claims in Fatal Pedestrian Accidents
When a pedestrian loses their life due to a driver’s negligence, the impact on surviving family members is immeasurable. Fatal pedestrian accidents often occur in crosswalks, parking lots, or along roadways where drivers fail to yield, drive distracted, or operate vehicles under the influence. These preventable tragedies leave families not only grieving but also facing significant financial hardships.
Nebraska law recognizes the right of surviving family members to pursue wrongful death claims when their loved one is killed in a pedestrian accident. These claims can provide compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support and benefits, loss of companionship and parental guidance, and pain and suffering endured by the deceased before death. The personal representative of the estate typically files the claim on behalf of eligible family members, which may include spouses, children, parents, or other dependents.
Filing a wrongful death claim requires acting within Nebraska’s two-year statute of limitations from the date of death. These cases often involve complex investigations to establish liability, including analyzing traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction reports. Our wrongful death lawyers in Bellevue handle these sensitive cases with compassion while pursuing maximum compensation for grieving families. We work to hold negligent drivers accountable and secure the financial support families need during this difficult time.
Let Knowles Law Firm Fight for the Justice You Deserve. Call Us at (402) 431-9000 for a Free Case Evaluation Today.
Proving Liability in Pedestrian Accident Cases
Establishing responsibility requires a thorough investigation and compelling presentation of evidence. Our attorneys employ proven strategies to demonstrate negligence by responsible parties.
Evidence Collection and Preservation
Critical evidence begins disappearing immediately after a collision. Our attorneys take prompt action to secure:
- Physical evidence from the accident scene before weather or cleanup efforts remove it
- Vehicle damage documentation showing impact points and force direction
- Medical records establishing the connection between the collision and specific injuries
- Witness statements while memories remain fresh
- Surveillance footage from businesses or traffic cameras
- Electronic data from vehicles equipped with recording devices
This evidence forms the foundation for reconstructing exactly how the collision occurred and which party violated traffic laws or safety principles.
Addressing Comparative Negligence Arguments
Nebraska follows modified comparative negligence rules, meaning pedestrians can recover damages only if less than 50% is responsible for the accident. Compensation is lowered by the percentage of fault. Insurance companies aggressively pursue this angle, attempting to shift blame to pedestrians.
Common allegations against pedestrians include:
- Crossing outside marked crosswalks
- Entering roadways suddenly
- Walking along highways improperly
- Wearing dark clothing at night
- Distraction from electronic devices
Our pedestrian accident lawyers anticipate these arguments and develop proactive strategies to counter them with evidence and expert testimony. We focus on establishing the primary causation stemming from driver negligence while minimizing any potential contributory factors.
Compensation Available for Pedestrian Accident Victims
The severe nature of pedestrian injuries typically results in substantial damages. We fight to secure comprehensive compensation for all accident-related losses.
Medical Expenses and Future Care
Pedestrian accidents often require extensive treatment, including:
- Emergency trauma care
- Surgical interventions
- Hospital stays
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Long-term nursing assistance
- Adaptive equipment
- Home modifications for accessibility
- Ongoing medical appointments
- Prescription medications
We work with medical experts to project the lifetime cost of your injuries, ensuring your settlement accounts for present and future medical needs.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
Serious injuries typically prevent victims from working for extended periods. Some never return to their previous employment. Our attorneys calculate:
- Wages lost during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity from permanent limitations
- Lost employment benefits
- Diminished retirement contributions
- Vocational rehabilitation costs
We use economic experts to quantify these losses accurately, particularly for cases involving permanent disability or career-ending injuries.
The Knowles Law Firm Approach to Pedestrian Accident Cases
Selecting the right attorney significantly impacts your case outcome. Unlike general practice firms, Knowles Law Firm brings extensive knowledge of pedestrian accident litigation to every client.
Our approach includes:
- Immediate dispatch of investigators to accident scenes
- Consultation with accident reconstruction specialists
- Expert medical testimony regarding injury severity and prognosis
- Strategic presentation addressing comparative negligence arguments
- Aggressive negotiation with insurance companies
- Thorough trial preparation when fair settlements aren’t offered
Our attorneys provide personalized attention throughout your legal claim, keeping you informed and involved in critical decisions.
Understanding the Legal Timeline for Pedestrian Accident Claims
Pedestrian accident cases follow specific timelines that impact your right to compensation. Understanding these deadlines helps protect your legal options.
In Nebraska, personal injury claims generally carry a four-year statute of limitations from the accident date. However, claims against government entities for roadway defects or municipal vehicle involvement have substantially shorter notice requirements–sometimes just 30 days.
Additionally, evidence preservation concerns make immediate action crucial. Surveillance footage may be overwritten, witnesses become difficult to locate, and physical evidence disappears over time. Early attorney involvement ensures preservation of these critical elements.
Contact a Bellevue Pedestrian Accident Attorney
When facing the aftermath of a pedestrian collision, prompt legal action proves crucial. Evidence disappears quickly, and insurance companies begin building their defense immediately.
The lawyers at Knowles Law Firm have dedicated their careers to helping pedestrian accident victims throughout Bellevue and across Nebraska. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you face and work tirelessly to obtain compensation for injuries. Our extensive experience with pedestrian cases allows us to build compelling claims even in challenging circumstances. Contact us today at (402) 431-9000 or through our contact form.
About Our Attorney
Robert M. Knowles
Attorney & Partner at Knowles Law Firm
Robert has tried cases in both state and federal courts and was selected as one of the top 100 litigation lawyers in Nebraska for 2014 by the American Society of Legal Advocates. Less than 1.5 percent of lawyers nationally are selected for this recognition. He is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest rating an attorney can obtain. He was also selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2019 Top Rated Lawyer.
Menu
