Pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and significant life disruptions for victims and their families. At The Oakes Firm, our experienced Philadelphia pedestrian accident attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges following being struck by a vehicle. Call (267) 310-0656 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyer.
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Why Choose a Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at The Oakes Firm?
At The Oakes Firm, you're more than just a case file—you're a person, and we treat you like one. We take the time to learn your name, understand your story, and stand by you like family. Unlike firms that pass clients off to different attorneys or leave you guessing about your case's progress, we stay in close contact every step of the way. From start to finish, we're committed to giving you the focused, personalized attention your case deserves. Because to us—the most important case is always yours.
Our Philadelphia pedestrian injury attorney offer years of focused experience advocating for individuals hurt while walking on Pennsylvania's streets and sidewalks. We've secured millions in compensation for victims by blending skilled negotiation with assertive courtroom representation when cases go to trial. Every case is handled with a deep understanding of pedestrian safety laws and insurance challenges and a commitment to tailoring our strategy to fit each client's personal situation and recovery goals.
Free Case Evaluations
Our firm provides free, no-pressure case evaluations. We take the time to assess the details of your situation, address your concerns, and offer straightforward guidance on your legal options. There's no commitment required—just clear, honest answers from experienced professionals who genuinely care. Our initial conversation can be the first step toward clarity, confidence, and justice.
Contingency Arrangements
Our Philadelphia pedestrian injury lawyers operate on a contingent fee system, which means you won't owe us a dime unless we win your case and recover compensation for your claim. This results-based approach ensures our goals align directly with yours—we're fully invested in securing the best possible outcome. You never have to worry about upfront legal costs or hidden fees. It's our way of making justice accessible while giving you confidence that we're fighting hard in your corner.
Comprehensive Case Investigations
Creating a strong pedestrian injury claim demands a detailed investigation and persuasive proof that clearly demonstrates who was at fault and how significantly you were harmed. The Oakes Firm collaborates with a network of trusted professionals—including accident reconstruction analysts, healthcare providers, and financial experts—to craft a solid, evidence-backed case. We explore all avenues to uncover what happened and how it's impacted your life. Here are some of the core areas we focus on when investigating pedestrian accident claims:
- Accident Scene Evidence: Skid marks, debris fields, points of impact, and other physical evidence can help reconstruct how the accident occurred. These details are critical in demonstrating vehicle speed, driver reaction, and point of contact.
- Surveillance Footage: Traffic cameras, business security systems, and helmet or dashcam videos that may have captured the accident offer objective, time-stamped visuals. Video footage can be instrumental in confirming the sequence of events and assigning fault.
- Witness Statements: Accounts from individuals who observed the collision or the moments before it can provide valuable perspectives. Independent witnesses often help fill in gaps and support your version of events.
- Police Reports: Official accident documentation, including officer observations and preliminary fault determinations, serves as an authoritative record. Insurers and courts frequently use these reports to assess liability.
- Traffic Signal Timing: Records showing how signals were functioning at the time of the collision can confirm whether drivers or pedestrians had the right of way. Malfunctioning signals may also shift responsibility to a municipality or third party.
- Driver Records: A History of previous accidents, traffic violations, or license suspensions may reveal a pattern of negligent behavior. A driver's poor driving background can strengthen claims of reckless or unsafe driving.
- Cell Phone Records: Evidence of distracted driving at the time of the collision, such as texting or calling, is often obtained through subpoenaed mobile data. This kind of evidence can significantly impact liability decisions.
- Vehicle Maintenance Logs: Documentation of brake problems or other mechanical issues that may have contributed to the collision can reveal overlooked safety concerns. Maintenance negligence can shift some or all blame to a third party, like a repair shop or fleet owner.
- Road Design and Maintenance: Identifying hazardous conditions, inadequate crosswalks, or missing signage can lead to municipal or contractor liability. Poorly maintained or designed infrastructure often causes pedestrian crashes.
- Driver Toxicology Reports: Evidence of impairment from alcohol or drugs can dramatically alter the outcome of a case. Positive test results often lead to enhanced damages and potential punitive claims.
- Electronic Data Recorders: Vehicle black box data showing speed, braking patterns, and other operational information provides real-time, objective data. This digital evidence can support or contradict witness and driver statements.
- Medical Documentation: Comprehensive records establishing your injuries' nature, extent, and causation are essential for valuing your claim. Detailed medical records also connect the accident directly to your physical condition and treatment needs.
We investigate and identify all at-fault parties to ensure complete liability and maximum compensation for your claim. If you or a loved one suffered injuries, call (267) 310-0656 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyer at The Oakes Firm. Our offices are located in Penn Center House:
The Oakes Firm
1900 JFK Blvd - Suite 302
Philadelphia, PA 19103
How Much Is a Pedestrian Accident Worth in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
The value of a pedestrian accident claim depends on numerous factors specific to each case, including the severity of injuries, impact on earning capacity, and available insurance coverage. Our lawyers calculate the economic losses and value your non-economic suffering. Pennsylvania law recognizes that pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries with lifelong consequences and allows for substantial damages that reflect both immediate and long-term impacts on victims' lives.
Special Damages
Special or economic damages refer to the measurable financial setbacks caused by injuries from a pedestrian accident. These losses can be accurately calculated using evidence like hospital invoices, income records, and expert evaluations of long-term costs. In Philadelphia pedestrian accident claims, typical economic damages we evaluate may include:
- Medical Expenses: Healthcare costs, such as ER visits, hospitalizations, surgical procedures, diagnostic tests (CT scans, MRI, X-rays), prescription medications, and follow-up care. Medical bills are often the most immediate and substantial financial burden after a pedestrian accident.
- Long-Term Care Needs: Some injuries require ongoing treatment, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or in-home nursing support. Depending on the severity of the injury, these long-term care costs can continue for months or years.
- Lost Earnings: Victims may miss work during recovery, resulting in lost income, overtime pay, tips, commissions, and even missed promotion opportunities. Lost income also includes the value of employment benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions that are unavailable during time off.
- Diminished Earning Capacity: When injuries permanently limit a person's ability to return to their previous job or field, it can reduce future earning potential. Expert analysis may be used to estimate how much income has been lost over a lifetime due to the injuries.
- Property Damages: Pedestrian accidents may also result in damage to personal property such as cell phones, clothing, or other valuables carried at the time of the crash. These items can be included in a claim for replacement or repair costs.
- Transportation Costs: These expenses include rental vehicles, rideshare services, public transportation, or mileage reimbursement for travel to and from medical appointments.
- Home Modifications: Serious injuries may require structural changes to a home, such as wheelchair ramps, stair lifts, or accessible bathrooms. These modifications are necessary to ensure a safe and functional living environment during recovery or permanently.
The Oakes Firm collaborates with a network of expert witnesses, including healthcare professionals, economists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and life care planners, to calculate these losses accurately, including accounting for inflation. We understand that severe and catastrophic injuries often create lifelong financial burdens, and we fight to secure compensation that provides true financial security for our clients.
General Damages
General damages cover the non-financial, deeply personal hardships that result from a pedestrian accident. These non-economic losses reflect the emotional, physical, and psychological toll that injuries impose—impacting a person's daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Though these damages aren't easily calculated, they often account for the most meaningful part of a victim's recovery. Common general damages in pedestrian accident cases include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Sleep discomfort and disturbances
- Amaxophobia—fear of walking near vehicles after an accident
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Humiliation and loss of self-esteem
- Decrease in quality of life
- Disability and disfigurement
- Lost years or a shortened life expectancy
- Loss of bodily or sexual function
- Loss of consortium—companionship, physical intimacy, support
- Loss of society and companionship
- Worsening of existing medical conditions or injuries
- Functional limitations or restrictions on daily activities
- The development of a substance use disorder (SUD) due to prescribed pain management
Valuing general damages requires legal experience and genuine empathy for victims' experiences. At The Oakes Firm, our attorneys take the time to understand how injuries have affected each client's unique life circumstances and relationships. This practice enables us to communicate these profound impacts effectively to insurance adjusters, judges, and juries.
Wrongful Death Benefits
When pedestrian accidents result in fatal injuries, families face not only the devastating emotional loss of a loved one but also significant financial burdens that compound their grief. In these tragic cases, surviving family members may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Wrongful death benefits in pedestrian accident cases may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses before death
- Lost income and financial support
- Loss of benefits (health insurance, retirement, pension)
- Loss of household services
- Loss of guidance and nurturing
- Loss of love, companionship, and consortium
- Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased
- Emotional distress of surviving family members
Our Philadelphia pedestrian accident attorneys understand that no amount of money can truly compensate for the loss of a family member, but securing financial stability can provide peace of mind during an incredibly difficult time. We handle these sensitive cases with compassion and dignity while aggressively pursuing the maximum compensation available under Pennsylvania's wrongful death statutes.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages in pedestrian accident cases are not awarded in every lawsuit but are reserved for situations where the at-fault party's behavior was especially reckless, malicious, or grossly negligent—such as in cases involving drunk driving or intentional harm. Unlike compensatory damages, which are meant to cover a victim's losses, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.
Punitive damages are rare and typically require clear and convincing evidence of egregious misconduct. Statistically, only about five percent of personal injury lawsuits result in punitive damages, making them an exception rather than the rule. However, when awarded, they can significantly increase the total value of a claim and send a powerful message about accountability.
Our Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Fight for Full Compensation
Insurance companies representing at-fault drivers often use aggressive tactics to minimize payouts to pedestrian accident victims or deny claims entirely. Our experienced attorneys anticipate these strategies and develop proactive approaches to counter them, ensuring our clients receive the full compensation they deserve. We have extensive experience negotiating with insurance adjusters and defense attorneys, giving us insight into their playbook and enabling us to stay one step ahead throughout the claims process.
Our Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyers have successfully countered these tactics in hundreds of cases, recovering substantial compensation for our clients despite determined insurance opposition. Our approach usually leads to favorable settlements. But we have the trial experience and resources to present your case effectively to a Philadelphia jury when necessary.
Speak to an Experienced Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Don't face this challenging time alone. Contact us at (267) 310-0656 to speak to an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer at The Oakes Firm today. Take the first step toward justice and recovery. Our compassionate team is standing by to answer your questions and help you understand your options for moving forward after a pedestrian accident.