Denver Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Colorado is known for its beautiful scenery and abundance of outdoor space, which makes it a prime destination. People often walk for pleasure and commuting purposes. A Denver pedestrian accident lawyer from The Wilhite Law Firm can help you if a negligent motorist has injured you or caused a fatal accident that resulted in the loss of a loved one.

Unfortunately, as more people use walking for travel and adapt to a green lifestyle, accidents have increased as well. Motorists are not always aware of the rules concerning pedestrians. Additionally, people on foot do not always exercise as much care as they should when interacting with motor vehicles.

Our dedicated injury attorneys are ready to take on new cases related to pedestrian injuries caused by driver negligence. Contact us today to learn more about our personal injury and wrongful death law practice during a free consultation at our Denver office. Consult with a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer immediately after an accident. We can ensure you receive good legal assistance.

Our office understands that when you are dealing with the trauma of an accident, you need to have faith in the people who are helping you through this ordeal. As one of our 4 values that we follow when practicing law, we recognize that “faith keeps us tuned to a higher power.”

Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Colorado?

Accidents in which pedestrians are struck and killed by cars or trucks account for about 15 percent of Colorado’s total traffic fatalities in 2022, according to the 2024 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Highway (NHTSA) Safety Plan. Additionally, Colorado pedestrian accident statistics reveal that in 2022, 115 pedestrians died in traffic accidents in Colorado, highlighting the importance of tailored legal goals for victims. Pedestrians include people who are walking, jogging, hiking, standing by the road, and lying on the ground.

Pedestrian accidents occur more frequently between 6 p.m. and midnight when drivers have more difficulty seeing people on foot, according to NHTSA’s 2022 Traffic Safety Fact report. Additionally, approximately 30% of fatal pedestrian accidents involve alcohol. This is in contrast with two-thirds of incidents where neither the driver or pedestrian is intoxicated.

What Types of Compensation Can An Injured Pedestrian Recover?

Injured pedestrians often suffer serious injuries due to their vulnerability and lack of protective gear compared to drivers. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident and a motorist was responsible, you may claim compensation from the driver’s insurance for all expenses related to your injuries. This includes doctor and hospital bills, medications, physical therapy, and lost wages due to missed work. If your injuries will require ongoing medical care, you can seek compensation for future medical care and other expenses related to the injury. You may also seek compensation for modifications to your house if the accident leaves you with permanent disability requiring accommodations.

Our experienced Denver pedestrian accident attorneys are committed to justice. We can assist clients in recovering compensation for injuries and financial hardships resulting from such accidents. You also may have a right to seek compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress and post-traumatic stress related to the accident.

If the driver was acting with outrageous disregard for safety, you may be entitled to seek exemplary damages under Colorado law. Exemplary damages, also known as punitive damages, may be sought in cases in which the behavior of the driver who caused the accident was extremely outrageous. This can include driving 90 miles per hour through downtown Denver or driving while highly intoxicated.

The Physical Toll: Injuries Denver Pedestrian Accident Victims Commonly Face

Because pedestrians have no protective barrier between themselves and a vehicle, the injuries sustained in these collisions tend to be severe and life-altering. The most common injuries we see in our Denver pedestrian accident cases include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

The impact of being struck by a vehicle and/or hitting the ground can cause concussions, contusions, or more severe brain damage with long-term cognitive consequences.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the spine can result in chronic pain, limited mobility, or paralysis. These injuries often require ongoing medical care and can permanently change a person’s ability to work and live independently.

Broken Bones

Fractures of the legs, hips, arms, and pelvis are extremely common. Some require surgery and extended rehabilitation.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Torn ligaments, muscle damage, and nerve injuries may not show up on initial imaging but can cause significant, lasting pain.

Scarring and Disfigurement

Road rash and lacerations from the pavement or vehicle can leave permanent scars that carry both physical and emotional consequences.

Emotional Trauma

Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression are real and compensable injuries. The psychological impact of a violent collision deserves the same attention as physical harm.

The severity of your injuries will inform much of what your case is worth. We will work with your medical providers and, when necessary, independent medical experts to make sure the full extent of your injuries is properly documented and accounted for in your claim.

What Are the Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents?

Many pedestrian accidents occur because a negligent driver fails to yield the right of way. In Colorado, drivers are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians who are in the same half of the roadway as the vehicle.

Distracted driving is an increasing cause of all crashes, including pedestrian accidents. If a driver is staring at a cell phone, the driver may not notice a pedestrian crossing an intersection or stepping off a curb.

Inattentive drivers making turns at intersections may fail to check the crosswalk and hit a pedestrian who is crossing an intersection with the light. Legal crosswalks exist at all public street intersections, regardless of whether the crosswalk is marked.

Many pedestrian accidents occur when one vehicle stops for a pedestrian at a crosswalk, and another vehicle tries to go around the stopped vehicle and strikes the pedestrian.

Pedestrian accidents occur more commonly at marked crosswalks than at unmarked crosswalks on multi-lane roads, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Pedestrians expect motorists to stop for a person on foot at a crosswalk. However, drivers, particularly on higher-speed roads, often fail to stop, causing serious accidents.

Aggressive drivers who are speeding, running red lights, or passing on the road shoulder also cause pedestrian accidents.

Whether you were in a crosswalk or crossing a street at another location when you were injured, you may be entitled to seek compensation if a driver was responsible for your injuries. Let an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Denver review your options. If you were involved in a pedestrian crash involving a truck, contact our truck accident attorney today.

Our legal team has extensive experience in handling pedestrian accident cases, helping victims recover potential damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

How Fault Is Determined, and Why It Matters for Your Recovery

Not every Denver pedestrian accident is straightforward when it comes to liability. Colorado observes a modified comparative fault rule, which means that if you are found to share some responsibility for what happened, your compensation will be reduced accordingly. Being deemed more than 50 percent at fault typically means you cannot recover anything.

Insurance adjusters know this rule well, and they will use it aggressively. If you crossed outside a marked crosswalk, were wearing headphones, or were crossing against a signal, expect the insurer to argue that you bear partial responsibility in order to reduce their payout.

We build a compelling argument for driver liability by focusing on what the evidence actually shows. Colorado law requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid striking any pedestrian, regardless of where the pedestrian is crossing. A driver who was speeding, distracted, impaired, or failing to yield still bears significant responsibility even in situations where a pedestrian made an error. We will investigate the full circumstances of your accident, challenge unfair fault assignments, and fight to ensure your compensation reflects what you are truly owed under Colorado law.

Pedestrian Accidents Caused By Hit-and-Run Drivers

Many pedestrian injuries our Denver lawyers handle involve hit-and-run drivers who panic and flee the scene of the accident. If you were struck by a hit-and-run driver, you should report the accident to the police and wait for an officer to arrive. Provide police with any description of the vehicle or driver, which will be included in the incident report.

You should seek medical attention even if you do not feel hurt. Pedestrian accident injuries can be severe and may include serious head or brain injuries that are not immediately apparent. Inform the doctor that you were struck by a car. The doctor’s report may be used as evidence in any accident claim you make.

A pedestrian who is injured by a hit-and-run driver may obtain coverage for injuries. This can be done through the uninsured motorist coverage of his or her auto insurance policy. This coverage takes the place of the insurance the hit-and-run driver should have provided. Uninsured motorist coverage covers the named policyholder and family members who live with the policyholder.

Insurance companies in Colorado are required to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist protection as part of an auto insurance policy. Unless you rejected the coverage in writing when purchasing auto insurance, you likely have UM/UIM coverage.

Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident on Denver Streets

The moments and days following a pedestrian accident can feel overwhelming, but the decisions you make in that window will directly affect your ability to recover full compensation. Here is what we recommend:

Stay at the Scene and Call 911

A police report will be critical to your claim because it serves as an official record of what happened. Do not leave before an officer arrives, and do not agree with any version of events that downplays what you experienced.

Get Same-Day Medical Attention, Even If It Seems Unnecessary

As mentioned above, injuries do not always present right away. A prompt medical evaluation protects your health and creates a documented record connecting your injuries to the accident, which is something insurance companies will look for when evaluating your claim.

Document Everything You Can

Photograph the scene, your injuries, the vehicle that struck you, skid marks, traffic signals, and any relevant road conditions. Denver’s busy intersections — from Colfax Avenue to Broadway to the I-25 corridor — each have their own traffic patterns and hazards that can be critical to establishing fault.

Secure the Cooperation of Witnesses

Names and phone numbers from bystanders may turn out to be critical in proving fault. Witnesses often leave quickly, so act fast to gather their contact information.

Decline the Insurance Company’s Request for a Recorded or Official Statement

The at-fault driver’s insurer will contact you quickly and will work to limit what they pay. Politely decline to speak to them and call us first.

Call The Wilhite Law Firm

We will take it from here. Our team will preserve evidence, handle the insurance companies, and build your case while you focus on healing.

How Our Pedestrian Injury Lawyers Can Help

A pedestrian accident attorney in Denver can help you avoid common missteps. This includes accepting an insurance settlement that does not cover the full cost of your medical treatment. The injury attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm bring many years of legal experience to each pedestrian accident case we handle.

We will conduct a thorough investigation of the pedestrian accident, interview witnesses, and establish contact with law enforcement. We can also search for any nearby security camera footage that might have captured the accident. It is important to move quickly to gather evidence, such as security camera footage, before it is discarded.

A pedestrian accident victim often faces numerous challenges. This includes determining fault and seeking compensation for injuries sustained due to the negligence of drivers.

You should not assume that you are at fault if you were hit while crossing the street on foot. The driver who struck you may have been speeding, intoxicated, or distracted by talking on a cell phone and not paying attention to the road. Drivers have a legal responsibility to be alert to their surroundings. We will work to identify all the parties responsible for your injuries.

Based on having handled thousands of cases, our attorneys will have a good idea of the fair value of your pedestrian accident claim. We will deal with the insurance companies and negotiate on your behalf for a full and fair settlement. We can deal with other legal complexities while you focus on your health and recovery.

If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, you have the legal right to file a personal injury lawsuit holding the at-fault driver accountable.

Contact One of Our Colorado Pedestrian Lawyers

Contact us online to discuss your concerns. Our firm is dedicated to helping pedestrian accident victims recover compensation for their injuries and losses. Speak with an experienced:

• Denver Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
• Colorado Springs Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
• Fort Collins Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
• Greeley Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

There are no fees unless we win your case.

Our Denver Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Help You

We strive to achieve this type of confidence and loyalty from our clients by delivering skilled legal counsel. Our focus is on helping our clients recover compensation so they can focus on their recovery.

Our team of experienced pedestrian accident lawyers is dedicated to representing victims of pedestrian accidents and advocating for their rights. Whether you have been injured by a car door or hit by a truck driver who failed to see you in a crosswalk, we know how to build a strong case. We can demonstrate the extent of your injuries and prove liability on the part of the other party.

Our firm knows you have questions regarding your legal rights following a pedestrian accident, and we are here to answer them. Put your faith in our staff’s dedication to you and your case. Contact us day or night, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Our Denver pedestrian accident lawyer will review your case and give you a detailed evaluation at no cost.