Hartford Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Walking should be one of the simplest, safest activities in daily life. For too many Hartford residents, a routine trip across the street becomes the moment everything changes. When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the consequences are often catastrophic: broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and, in the worst cases, death.
If you or someone you love has been injured while walking in Hartford, you need an advocate who will fight relentlessly for the compensation you deserve. At Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante, our personal injury attorneys in Hartford have spent decades helping injured individuals and families navigate these pedestrian accident claims. We know that behind every case is a person whose life has been upended, and we will fight for you every step of the way. Schedule your free consultation today.
The Dangers Pedestrians Face on Hartford Streets
Hartford’s busy intersections, aging infrastructure, and high traffic volume create an environment where pedestrians are constantly vulnerable. Unlike vehicle occupants who are protected by steel frames, airbags, and seat belts, pedestrians have nothing between themselves and a multi-ton vehicle. This disparity often leads to serious injuries.
Pedestrians and motorists cross paths frequently in areas throughout the city, such as downtown corridors with heavy commuter traffic, neighborhoods near schools and parks, and commercial districts with frequent delivery vehicles. Weather conditions common to Connecticut—such as icy sidewalks in winter and rain-slicked roads in spring and fall—further increase the likelihood of accidents. These conditions limit a driver’s ability to stop quickly and make it difficult for pedestrians to move out of harm’s way.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Connecticut
The most frequent causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving, particularly from smartphone use
- Failure to yield at crosswalks and intersections
- Speeding, which reduces a driver’s ability to stop in time
- Impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications
- Poor visibility, including nighttime driving and glare from the sun
- Aggressive driving behaviors, such as running red lights or making illegal turns
- Backing-up accidents in parking lots and driveways
What to Expect When You Work with Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante
Choosing the right legal representation after a pedestrian accident is one of the most important decisions you will make during your recovery. At Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante, we believe our clients deserve transparency about the legal process from day one.
When you work with our firm, your case begins with an initial consultation where we listen to your story and evaluate the strength of your claim at no cost to you. From there, our attorneys conduct an in-depth investigation of your accident: gathering police reports, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with accident reconstruction experts when necessary. Throughout this process, we maintain clear and consistent communication so you always know where things stand.
Our attorneys negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to secure maximum compensation in your pedestrian accident claim. If the other side refuses to offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. Above all, we provide compassionate guidance that respects the physical and emotional challenges you face during recovery. Our attorneys handle every aspect of your legal claim so you can focus on healing and moving forward with your life.
Injuries Pedestrians Commonly Sustain When Struck by Vehicles
The human body is simply not designed to withstand the force of a vehicle impact. Pedestrians struck by cars, trucks, or SUVs frequently suffer multiple serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and lengthy rehabilitation:
- Traumatic brain injuries ranging from concussions to severe impairment
- Spinal cord damage that may result in partial or complete paralysis
- Multiple bone fractures requiring surgical intervention
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Severe lacerations and soft tissue injuries
- Psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder
Determining Fault in a Hartford Pedestrian Accident
To recover compensation after a pedestrian accident, you must establish that another party’s negligence caused your injuries. Liability refers to legal responsibility for the harm you suffered, and proving it requires demonstrating that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty through careless or reckless behavior, and directly caused the injuries and losses you are now facing.
In most pedestrian accident cases, the driver of the vehicle bears liability. However, other parties may share responsibility depending on the circumstances. A trucking company may be liable if a commercial driver struck you while on the job. A municipality may bear responsibility if poorly maintained roads, malfunctioning traffic signals, or inadequate signage contributed to the accident. In some cases, a vehicle manufacturer may be at fault if a defect in the car’s braking system or other components played a role in the collision.
Our Hartford pedestrian accident lawyers take a meticulous approach to proving fault in every case we handle. We obtain and analyze police reports, review traffic camera footage and surveillance video from nearby businesses, interview eyewitnesses, examine physical evidence from the scene, and consult with accident reconstruction experts when necessary. This thorough investigation allows us to build a compelling case that clearly establishes who is responsible for your injuries and holds them accountable for the full extent of your damages.
What to Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident
The steps you take in the hours and days following a pedestrian accident can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. If you are physically able, you should:
- Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance.
- Obtain the driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details.
- Document the scene with photographs of your injuries, the vehicle, and the area.
- Collect contact information from any witnesses.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Avoid discussing fault with the driver or making statements to insurance adjusters.
- Contact a Hartford pedestrian accident attorney before accepting any settlement offers.
Speak with a Hartford Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante has represented injured Hartford residents for decades, and we recognize the profound toll a pedestrian accident takes on every part of a victim’s life. Our Hartford pedestrian accident lawyers will do whatever it takes to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us at (203) 333-3333 to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward recovery.