Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian Accident Injury Law Firm in Northwest Indiana
When a car hits someone on foot, the person walking has no protection at all. Pedestrian accidents often cause serious injuries, even at low speeds. Vollmer Law Group helps pedestrians and their families in Lake, Porter, Jasper and surrounding counties. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
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Common causes of pedestrian accidents
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A driver who does not yield in a crosswalk.
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A driver turning at an intersection without looking for people crossing.
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Speeding, distracted or impaired drivers.
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A driver backing out of a driveway or parking space.
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Poor lighting or missing sidewalks.
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A driver who leaves the scene after hitting someone.
Why pedestrian cases are different
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Injuries are often serious, such as broken bones, head injuries and spine injuries, and can need long treatment.
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Insurers sometimes claim the person walking was not paying attention or was outside a crosswalk. Evidence matters: photos, witnesses and any video from nearby businesses or doorbell cameras, which can be lost quickly.
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If the driver had little or no insurance, or drove away, your own auto policy's uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help, even though you were walking.
What to do after being hit by a car
1. Get medical care right away, even if you feel okay.
2. Call the police and get the crash report number.
3. Take photos of the scene, the car, the crosswalk or roadway, and your injuries.
4. Get the names and phone numbers of the driver and any witnesses.
5. Note any businesses or homes with cameras that may have recorded the crash.
6. Do not give a recorded statement to the driver's insurer before you talk to a lawyer.
How a pedestrian accident claim works
1. We investigate: the crash report, photos, witnesses and any video.
2. You focus on getting medical treatment.
3. We document your medical bills, lost wages and how the injuries affect your life.
4. We send a demand to the insurance companies and negotiate.
5. If they will not offer a fair settlement, we can file a lawsuit.
Important deadlines
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In Indiana, most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash.
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If a city, county or state vehicle was involved, a written notice is generally due much sooner: 180 days for a local government and 270 days for the State of Indiana.
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If you were partly at fault, you can generally still recover as long as your share of the fault is not more than 50%. Your recovery is reduced by your share.
What it costs
We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee. Our fee is 33.3% of the recovery if the case settles before a lawsuit is filed, and 40% after a lawsuit is filed. If we do not recover money for you, you owe no attorney fee.
Common questions
What if I was not in a crosswalk?
You may still have a claim. Drivers must still use care to avoid hitting people. Your recovery may be reduced if you were partly at fault, but you can generally still recover if your share of the fault is not more than 50%.
The driver drove away. Can I still get help?
Yes. Call the police right away. Your own auto policy's uninsured motorist coverage may help pay for your injuries, even if you were walking.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim?
Most Indiana injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash. Claims involving a government vehicle have much shorter notice deadlines, so call as soon as you can.
My child was hit by a car. What should I do?
Get medical care first, then call the police and us. Claims for children have special rules, and we can explain them to you.
How much does a pedestrian accident lawyer cost?
You pay no attorney fee up front. Our fee is 33.3% if the case settles before a lawsuit is filed and 40% after. If we do not recover money for you, you owe no attorney fee.
Talk to us about your case
Call (219) 587-5641 or send a message below. Tell us briefly what happened and which county your case is in, and a staff member will call you back as soon as possible during office hours.