Pedestrian accidents in Lincoln and throughout Nebraska represent some of the most devastating traffic incidents on our roads.
Every year, hundreds of pedestrians are injured across the state. When vehicles weighing thousands of pounds collide with unprotected pedestrians, the consequences are often catastrophic. Even low-speed impacts can cause life-altering injuries or death.
At Friedman Law Offices, we’ve dedicated ourselves to protecting pedestrian accident victims’ rights since 1962. Our team understands the profound impact these accidents have on victims and their families, and we can help hold the responsible parties accountable.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Understanding what leads to pedestrian accidents helps establish liability and prevent future tragedies. We regularly see accidents in Nebraska caused by:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers using phones, adjusting controls, or otherwise not focusing on the road often fail to notice pedestrians until it’s too late.
- Failure to Yield at Crosswalks: Many drivers disregard pedestrians’ right-of-way at marked and unmarked crosswalks, leading to dangerous collisions.
- Speeding in Residential and School Zones: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases impact severity, particularly in areas where pedestrians are common.
- Poor Visibility Conditions: Dawn, dusk, inclement weather, and inadequate street lighting create situations where drivers may not see pedestrians in time to avoid collisions.
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drugs significantly impair judgment, reaction time, and perception—often with deadly consequences for pedestrians.
- Right-Turn-on-Red Collisions: Drivers looking left for oncoming traffic while turning right frequently fail to check for pedestrians crossing from their right.
- Backing-Up Incidents: Particularly common in parking lots, these accidents occur when drivers fail to adequately check behind their vehicles before reversing.
Nebraska Pedestrian Laws
Understanding pedestrian rights and responsibilities is crucial when evaluating accident cases:
- Right-of-Way Regulations: In Nebraska, pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked crosswalks and in unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
- Crosswalk Laws: Once a pedestrian has entered a crosswalk, drivers must yield.
- Pedestrian Responsibilities: Pedestrians must use sidewalks when available and walk facing traffic when sidewalks aren’t present. When crossing outside of marked crosswalks or intersections, pedestrians must yield to vehicles.
- Driver Responsibilities: Drivers must exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians under all circumstances, regardless of crosswalk presence.
- School Zone Regulations: Reduced speed limits in school zones are strictly enforced, with enhanced penalties for violations. Drivers must stop for school crossing guards and yield to children.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
The physical impact of pedestrian accidents is typically severe, often resulting in:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): From concussions to severe brain trauma, these injuries can cause cognitive impairment, personality changes, and long-term disability.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong care and assistance.
- Fractures and Orthopedic Injuries: Broken bones are extremely common in pedestrian accidents, particularly to the legs, hips, arms, and ribs.
- Internal Injuries: The force of impact can cause damage to internal organs, internal bleeding, and other life-threatening conditions requiring emergency surgery.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Severe lacerations, abrasions, and contusions often occur when pedestrians are thrown onto pavement or other hard surfaces.
- Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, many victims experience PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of walking outdoors again.
Recovery from these injuries can require extensive hospitalization, surgeries, and lengthy rehabilitation. Many victims face permanent disabilities that require lifelong care and accommodation.
Compensation Available for Pedestrian Accident Victims
Nebraska law allows injured pedestrians to seek compensation for numerous damages:
- Medical Treatment Costs: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and medical equipment
- Future Medical Expenses: Ongoing care needs, future surgeries, rehabilitation services, and long-term assistance
- Lost Income and Earning Capacity: Both current lost wages during recovery and reduced future earning ability due to permanent limitations
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and discomfort resulting from injuries
- Emotional Distress: Psychological impacts including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent Disability: Additional compensation for permanent physical limitations and life alterations
- Wrongful Death Damages: Compensation for families for funeral expenses, lost financial support, lost companionship, and the victim’s pain and suffering
The Legal Process for Pedestrian Accident Claims
Successfully navigating a pedestrian accident claim involves several critical steps. Our process begins with a thorough investigation, where our team collects photographs, surveillance footage, physical evidence, witness statements, and police reports. We meticulously document skid marks, vehicle damage, road design, and visibility conditions to build a comprehensive understanding of the accident.
To strengthen your case, we can collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts who provide crucial testimony about how the accident occurred and its impact on your life. Armed with this comprehensive evidence, we aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to secure fair compensation that truly reflects your damages.
If a fair settlement isn’t possible, our experienced litigation team thoroughly prepares your case for court. Throughout this entire process, we handle all communications with insurance companies and other attorneys, allowing you to focus entirely on your recovery.
Why Choose Friedman Law Offices
Since 1962, our attorneys have had extensive experience handling pedestrian accident cases across Nebraska, giving us unparalleled insight into the unique aspects of these claims. Our established relationships with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and other local resources help us to both build a compelling case on your behalf and support your recovery.
Our focus is fixed on securing maximum compensation. We thoroughly calculate all current and future damages to ensure you receive compensation that fully covers your needs, not just your immediate expenses. You’ll work directly with experienced attorneys who remain accessible throughout your case, providing truly personalized attention.
Contact Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Lincoln, Friedman Law Offices stands ready to fight for your recovery. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.