CALL (800) 863-5312 TO SPEAK WITH FORT COLLINS PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT LAWYERS FOR FREE
Pedestrian crashes often result in more catastrophic injuries than many automobile accidents. Pedestrians often have little or no protection from the force of an impact with a vehicle.
An experienced attorney may help you pursue any compensation you may be entitled to while you focus on recovering from your injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian crash, call the Fort Collins pedestrian accident lawyers at Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation. If we are not able to win your case, you will not owe us anything.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ZINDA LAW GROUP
The attorneys at Zinda Law Group have years of experience in helping pedestrian accident victims seek compensation for their injuries. Accident victims may suffer a serious financial burden caused by medicals bills and lost wages. Our team works to help victims focus on their physical recovery while their attorney handles their injury claim.
Pedestrian accident claims may be very different from automobile collisions in terms of the extent of injuries involved, as well as the nature of the claim and relevant laws. Our attorneys may help you better understand your legal options following your accident as well as the next steps to take. Zinda Law Group’s experienced team of professionals may help you recover from the economic impact of a serious pedestrian accident.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationCOLORADO PEDESTRIAN LAWS
CO Rev. Stat. § 42-4-802 establishes a right-of-way for pedestrians in crosswalks. Pursuant to this statute, if there are no traffic control signals in place, or these signals are not in operation, drivers must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrians crossing the roadway within a crosswalk. The statute also provides a right-of-way to any pedestrians using a crosswalk while a “Walk” sign is illuminated. Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians with the right-of-way in these crosswalks or intersections may be liable for any injuries suffered by a pedestrian the driver hits.
Further, the Colorado Driver Handbook advises drivers that pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections and crosswalks and that drivers “must come to a complete stop and let the person pass safely.” The Handbook also advises drivers that they “must do everything [they] can to prevent striking a pedestrian or another vehicle, regardless of the circumstances.”
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationFORT COLLINS PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT STATISTICS
After a decline in pedestrian accidents from 2011-2013, pedestrian crashes increased in 2014 with 48 pedestrian crashes occurring in 2014. About half of these crashes resulted in possible injury.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationCOMMON INJURIES
- Broken bones or fractures
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Internal injuries or bleeding
- Punctured lungs, spleen, or other organs
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and/or bleeding on the brain
- Amputated limbs
- Loss of consciousness
- Road rash
- Bruises or lacerations
- Death
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationCOMMON PEDESTRIAN CASES WE HANDLE
Accidents at Crosswalks
Nearly 70 percent of pedestrian crashes involving severe injuries or death in Fort Collins were caused when a motorist struck a pedestrian outside of a designated crosswalk or signalized intersection. Almost all such crashes occur at night. When pedestrians attempt to cross a road away from designated crossing points, drivers may be caught by surprise and fail to see the pedestrian in time to avoid a collision. This risk is magnified at night with lower visibility, especially in areas that may not be well-lit or the pedestrian may otherwise be obstructed from view. Distracted drivers who fail to keep an adequate lookout for pedestrians entering the roadway may fail to stop in time or at all.
Hit While Riding Bike, Scooter, or Skateboard
Accidents may also happen when someone is riding a bike, scooter, or skateboard, either on the road or the sidewalk next to a roadway. Drivers often fail to keep a safe distance from these riders while on the roadway. Drivers following too closely may fail to adequately slow down or may strike the rider after failing to see the rider’s turn signal. Drivers may also misjudge the rider’s speed or strike the rider in an intersection after failing to wait for the driver’s turn.
Hit While on the Sidewalk
Pedestrians may be struck by drivers who drive or swerve onto the sidewalk. These accidents may occur as a result of distracted driving, such as a driver who is texting and driving. Drunk driving may also be a cause of these accidents, as intoxicated drivers may be more likely to swerve and weave and be unable to remain in their lane. Finally, accidents may be caused by drivers who swerve to avoid a hazard in front of them, such as a stopped car, another pedestrian, or an object in the road in front of the driver.
Children Hit by Cars
Children may be hit by cars in a variety of circumstances. The children may be in or near the roadway or in a driveway. Because of their smaller height and size, children may often be harder to see for drivers. Drivers may back up in driveways without seeing a child behind the vehicle. In other cases, drivers may be speeding through a residential neighborhood and be unable to stop in time to avoid striking a child that suddenly enters the roadway. Drivers must take additional care in residential areas, such as by slowing down and keeping a careful lookout to avoid any accidents.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT
1. Call the Police
If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident in the Fort Collins area, you should notify law enforcement as soon as possible, whether the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office or the Fort Collins Police Services. Law enforcement may take statements from you, the driver who hit you, and any witnesses to the incident. Before you leave the scene after speaking with law enforcement, you should be sure to ask how to obtain a copy of the accident report once it has been prepared by the officer. This accident or police report may be helpful to your attorney in preparing your Fort Collins pedestrian accident lawsuit.
2. Seek Medical Attention
You should also seek medical attention as soon as possible after your accident. It is important to identify and treat any potential injuries. Pedestrian accidents may involve serious or life-threatening injuries. Many injuries may not be readily apparent, such as internal injuries. Victims of pedestrian accidents may be at an increased risk of severe injuries because there is less protection for the rider than in a passenger vehicle. If you have been struck by a vehicle, seek immediate medical attention to diagnose and treat your injuries.
You should also keep thorough documentation of your medical diagnosis and treatment following the accident. This medical documentation, such as hospital records and medical bills, may help your pedestrian injury lawyer gather evidence to support your claim.
3. Document the Scene
Thorough documentation of the accident and your injuries is crucial to supporting your pedestrian accident claim. You should gather contact information and statements from any witnesses to the accident. Take pictures of the accident scene and pictures of the vehicle that struck you if possible. This documentation may help your Fort Collins pedestrian accident lawyer prove the driver’s liability for the accident.
4. Call A Personal Injury Lawyer
Perhaps the most important step to take following your accident may be to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you consider your legal options and seek compensation for your injuries. Your attorney may help you focus on recovering from your injuries while your lawyer pursues your claim. An experienced attorney may level the playing field between you and the insurance company. Insurers have a team of lawyers and claims adjusters hired to make sure the insurer pays as little as possible to settle any claims. Your pedestrian accident lawyer may negotiate with the insurer on your behalf to pursue a mutually acceptable settlement offer.
Read More: How to Calculate the Value of a Personal Injury Claim
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN COLORADO
Pedestrian accidents are subject to the same legal time limits imposed on other personal injury lawsuits in Colorado. This legal time limits, known as a statute of limitations, sets the timeframe during which a victim may file a lawsuit to pursue compensation after an accident. Pursuant to CO Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102 and CO Rev. Stat. § 13-21-204, any pedestrian injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident in Colorado. If the victim fails to file a lawsuit within two years of the accident, the victim may not be allowed to file any claim for compensation as it will be time-barred once the statute of limitations has expired.
GET A CASE EVALUATION FROM ZINDA LAW GROUP
The Fort Collins personal injury lawyers at Zinda Law Group may assist you with your claim. We help our clients pursue the maximum compensation they may be entitled to as a victim of a pedestrian accident. We believe our clients should not have to worry about affording legal representation after an accident, which is why we work on a contingency fee basis. If we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us anything.
Call (800) 863-5312 today for a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.
Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
