Hit by a Car in Pittsburgh? We Step In from Day One.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle

Our Pittsburgh pedestrian accident lawyers have years of hands-on experience representing victims of pedestrian crashes throughout Western Pennsylvania. When negligent drivers cause pedestrian accidents through reckless behavior, distracted driving, or failure to follow traffic laws, our legal team holds them fully accountable.

Common pedestrian accident cases our firm handles:

• Crosswalk and designated crosswalk accidents
• Intersection collisions with pedestrians
• Distracted driving accidents involving pedestrians
• Hit-and-run pedestrian crashes
• Accidents caused by failure to yield the right of way
• Pedestrian crashes involving delivery vans and commercial vehicles
• Drunk or impaired driving pedestrian accidents
• Accidents caused by poor visibility or inadequate lighting
• Accidents in school zones and residential areas
• Fatal accidents and wrongful death cases
• Pedestrian crashes on Route 28, Liberty Avenue, Penn Avenue, and throughout Allegheny County

Common Injuries Suffered by Pedestrian Accident Victims

When a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the human body absorbs the full force of impact. There are no airbags, no seatbelts, and no metal frame for protection. Pedestrian accident victims frequently suffer some of the most severe injuries seen in personal injury cases, and the physical, emotional, and financial toll can last for years.

Injuries our Pittsburgh pedestrian accident attorneys pursue compensation for:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) requiring long-term medical care
• Spinal cord injuries that result in partial or permanent disability
• Broken bones and compound fractures requiring surgical procedures
• Internal organ damage with extensive medical expenses
• Severe road rash and soft tissue injuries, causing chronic pain
• Neck and back injuries affecting your ability to work
• Loss of limb or permanent disfigurement
• Emotional trauma and PTSD from the accident
• Wrongful death when pedestrian accidents are fatal

When injuries are severe enough to permanently change how you live and work, they may also qualify as catastrophic injuries under Pennsylvania law, which can significantly expand the damages available to you.

Waiting to Call Us Helps Them, Not You

Every day you delay gives insurance companies more time and more leverage. The sooner you contact a pedestrian accident attorney, the stronger your legal claim will be.

Why acting fast matters:

• Surveillance footage disappears: Traffic camera footage and surveillance recordings are often deleted within days.
• Witness statements fade: Critical details and memories are clearest right after the accident.
• Pennsylvania's statute has limits: You generally have only 2 years from the date of the accident to file a claim.
• Insurers work fast: Adjusters begin building their defense from day one. You should, too.

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What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Pittsburgh

The steps you take immediately after a pedestrian accident can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. Protecting your rights starts at the scene, and our Pittsburgh pedestrian accident lawyers can guide you through every stage.

Immediate Steps to Take

1. Get to safety: Move out of traffic if physically able and call 911 immediately.
2. Seek medical attention: Accept emergency care on-site and follow up with a doctor even if injuries seem minor. Medical records created right away are key to your personal injury claim.
3. Report the accident: Ensure police arrive and file official police reports. Request a copy for your records.
4. Collect the driver's contact information: Get the driver's name, license plate, insurance details, and vehicle information.
5. Document the scene: Photograph your injuries, the vehicle, skid marks, traffic signals, crosswalk markings, and weather conditions.
6. Gather witness statements: Collect names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the accident happen.
7. Avoid speaking to the insurance company: Do not give recorded statements or accept any settlement offers without consulting an attorney.
8. Contact experienced pedestrian accident lawyers: Reach out to Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd, LLC before you sign anything or speak with an adjuster. Our attorneys also handle car accident claims, truck accident cases, and a full range of motor vehicle accidents throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Where Pedestrian Accidents Happen Most in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh's older infrastructure, narrow streets, and high-traffic neighborhoods pose real risks to pedestrians every day. Our Pittsburgh pedestrian accident attorneys have handled serious injury cases across the city and know how geography and local conditions can shape a legal claim.

High-risk pedestrian accident zones in Pittsburgh include:

Oakland (University and Hospital District)

Heavy student foot traffic, hospital visitors, and confusing intersections make Oakland one of the city's highest-risk neighborhoods for pedestrian crashes. Drivers making unsafe turns near UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh campus frequently endanger pedestrians who are legally crossing.

Downtown Pittsburgh and Market Square

Congested streets, delivery vans, and a constant stream of rideshare vehicles create dangerous conditions for pedestrians, especially during morning and evening rush hours.

Liberty Avenue and Penn Avenue Corridors

These high-traffic corridors are frequent sites of pedestrian-involved incidents, particularly near bus stops and areas with limited crosswalk visibility.

The North Shore

On game days and event nights, significantly increased foot traffic around PNC Park and Acrisure Stadium raises the risk of pedestrian crashes from distracted or impaired drivers.

Squirrel Hill and Shadyside

Residential streets with heavy foot traffic, parked cars that block sightlines, and drivers unfamiliar with the area contribute to pedestrian accidents in these neighborhoods.

Route 28 and Route 51 Corridors

These fast-moving arterial roads present serious hazards for pedestrians attempting to cross outside designated crosswalks or in areas with poor visibility.

Fort Pitt Boulevard and the Strip District

Industrial traffic, delivery vehicles, and limited crosswalk infrastructure create conditions that lead to pedestrian crashes with troubling frequency.

Pennsylvania Pedestrian Accident Laws Explained

Pennsylvania law gives injured pedestrians specific rights, but some rules and deadlines directly affect your case. Our Pittsburgh pedestrian accident lawyers explain what you need to know in plain terms so you can make informed decisions.

Modified Comparative Negligence

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation as long as you are found to be less than 51% at fault for the accident. If a negligent driver ran a red light, but you were crossing outside a designated crosswalk, fault may be shared. Your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you would not be barred from recovery entirely. This is why having an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer evaluate your case matters so much. You can learn more about how fault is assessed across all personal injury cases on our personal injury cases overview page.

Statute of Limitations

Pennsylvania's statute of limitations for pedestrian accident claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you lose the right to recover damages through the court system. Acting quickly is not only smart strategically; it is legally necessary. If your loved one was killed in a pedestrian crash, additional rules apply to wrongful death claims in Pennsylvania.

Proving Fault in Pedestrian Accident Cases

To recover compensation, your legal team must prove that another party's negligence caused your injuries. This typically means showing that a driver failed to obey traffic signals, did not yield at a crosswalk, was texting or otherwise distracted, was speeding, or was impaired. Evidence such as traffic camera footage, surveillance footage, police reports, and witness statements all play a role in building a strong case.

Driver Responsibilities Under Pennsylvania Traffic Laws

Drivers in Pennsylvania are required to yield to pedestrians in designated crosswalks and exercise due care to avoid striking any pedestrian on a roadway. Distracted driving, reckless behavior, and failure to account for poor visibility or weather conditions all constitute violations that can establish liability.

How Much Compensation Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident*

Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd, LLC pursues the full range of economic and non-economic damages available under Pennsylvania law. The table below outlines what accident victims may be entitled to claim, key factors that affect case value, and common settlement variables in Western Pennsylvania. If your injuries resulted from a slip and fall or another type of negligence-related incident, the compensation categories below generally apply to those cases as well.

Disclaimer*

Settlement figures provided are illustrative only and do not constitute legal advice, a promise of recovery, or a guarantee of results. Each pedestrian accident case is fact-specific, and compensation may vary significantly based on individual circumstances. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified attorney.