Simply walking in Philadelphia should not put your life at risk. Yet every day, people crossing streets like Broad, Market, and Roosevelt Boulevard are struck by drivers who fail to yield, speed through intersections, or just fail to pay attention.
In a matter of seconds, a routine walk to work, a trip to the store, or an evening out in Center City can turn into a serious accident with lasting injuries and overwhelming medical bills.
At Hill & Associates, our Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyers fight for people injured on city sidewalks, crosswalks, and intersections. We take a limited number of cases each year so we can give every client the personal attention they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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Can You Sue a Driver Who Hit You While Walking in Philadelphia?
Yes. Pennsylvania law gives pedestrians the right to pursue compensation from negligent drivers. Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3542, drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. When they fail to yield and cause injuries, they may be held liable for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Pennsylvania's two-year statute of limitations means you have a limited window to file your claim. An attorney can help you gather evidence, document your injuries, and build a strong case while the evidence still exists.
Why Philadelphia Families Trust Hill & Associates After Pedestrian Accidents
When a vehicle strikes you while walking, you face an uphill battle against insurance companies that want to pay as little as possible. Our firm has spent over two decades leveling the playing field for injured pedestrians throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding region.
Over $1 Billion Recovered for Injury Victims
Since 1999, Hill & Associates has helped recover more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients. We have the resources and experience to take on insurance companies and fight for maximum compensation.
Advanced Trial Advocacy Credentials
Leonard Hill holds an LL.M. in Trial Advocacy from Temple University Beasley School of Law. Fewer than 1% of attorneys nationwide have earned this advanced degree. Insurance companies know we are prepared to go to trial if necessary.
We Only Represent Injured People
We never represent insurance companies, corporations, or the parties who cause injuries. Every member of our team is focused solely on helping accident victims recover fair compensation.
Personalized Attention for Every Client
We limit the number of cases we accept each year. This allows us to work closely with each client, answer questions promptly, and build the strongest possible case for recovery.
Free Consultations, No Pressure
Your first meeting with our team is always free. We will review your case, explain your options, and answer your questions with no obligation. You can make an informed decision without any pressure.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
Our contingency fee arrangement means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This allows you to focus on healing while we focus on your case.
Philadelphia's Pedestrian Safety Crisis: The Numbers
Philadelphia has a serious pedestrian safety problem. According to the City's Vision Zero Annual Report, 126 people died in Philadelphia traffic crashes in one recent year. Of those fatalities, 57 (about 45%) were pedestrians. Deaths among pedestrians have increased 65% compared to the 2015-2019 average.
Nationally, pedestrian deaths reached levels not seen since the 1980s. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 7,500 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2022. On average, a pedestrian dies in America every 70 minutes.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Philadelphia
Many pedestrian crashes in Philadelphia happen for the same reasons: drivers fail to notice people in crosswalks or misjudge how quickly someone is crossing the street. In busy areas like Center City and along Roosevelt Boulevard, even a small mistake can lead to a serious injury.
Common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Drivers failing to yield at marked crosswalks
- Distracted driving, including texting or GPS use
- Speeding in dense urban corridors
- Drivers turning left without checking for pedestrians
- Impaired driving involving alcohol or drugs
- Poor nighttime visibility or inadequate street lighting
A police investigation, witness statements, and traffic camera footage often help identify the exact cause of the crash. Determining what went wrong is an important step in building a pedestrian injury claim under Pennsylvania law.
What Types of Pedestrian Accidents Do We Handle?
Pedestrian accidents happen throughout Philadelphia, from busy Center City intersections to residential streets in Kensington and Germantown. Our attorneys handle cases involving all types of negligent drivers and dangerous conditions.
Crosswalk and Intersection Crashes
Drivers who fail to yield at crosswalks, run red lights, or turn without checking for pedestrians cause devastating injuries. High-risk intersections include Broad Street at Oregon Avenue, Roosevelt Boulevard at Grant Avenue, and the complex crossing at Market Street and City Hall.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Nearly one in four pedestrians killed in traffic crashes is struck by a hit-and-run driver. Even when the driver flees, compensation may be available through uninsured motorist coverage or other sources.
Distracted Driving Collisions
Drivers texting, using GPS, or otherwise distracted often fail to see pedestrians until it is too late. Cell phone records and witness testimony can help prove distraction.
SEPTA and Public Transit Incidents
Pedestrians struck by SEPTA buses or vehicles at transit stops may have claims against the transit authority. Special rules and shorter deadlines apply to these cases.
Commercial Vehicle and Truck Accidents
Delivery trucks, commercial vehicles, and tractor-trailers turning in urban areas pose serious risks to pedestrians. These cases often involve multiple liable parties, including the driver, trucking company, and cargo owners.
Whatever the circumstances of your accident, our attorneys will investigate what happened, identify all responsible parties, and pursue every available source of compensation on your behalf.
What Are Philadelphia's Most Dangerous Areas for Pedestrians?
Certain streets and intersections in Philadelphia see a disproportionate number of pedestrian accidents. According to the city's Vision Zero program, 80% of severe crashes occur on just 12% of Philadelphia streets.
Roosevelt Boulevard
Long ranked among America's most dangerous roads, the 12-lane boulevard features high speeds, confusing service roads, and extremely long crossing distances. Dangerous intersections include Grant Avenue, Red Lion Road, Cottman Avenue, and Welsh Road.
Broad Street
Broad Street is currently Philadelphia’s deadliest corridor with more than one fatality per month. High-risk intersections include Hunting Park Avenue, Erie Avenue, and Oregon Avenue. North Broad near Temple University and South Broad in the stadium district present particular risks.
Germantown Avenue and Old York Road
These corridors through Mount Airy, Germantown, and North Philadelphia see frequent pedestrian crashes. Old York Road from Erie to Lindley is a priority corridor for safety improvements.
Center City and Market Street
Dense pedestrian traffic around Market Street, City Hall, and transit hubs creates constant conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians. Turning vehicles at busy intersections pose the greatest risk.
North Philadelphia Corridors
Hunting Park Avenue and Allegheny Avenue are high-injury network streets where pedestrian crashes concentrate. These areas are priorities for infrastructure investment under Vision Zero.
These are just some of Philadelphia’s most dangerous intersections for pedestrians, but accidents can and do happen throughout the city. If you were injured anywhere in Philadelphia, our team can help you pursue compensation.
Common Injuries in Philadelphia Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians have no protection when struck by a vehicle. Even at relatively low speeds, the impact can cause catastrophic injuries. The types of injuries we see most often include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from impact with the vehicle, pavement, or both
- Spinal cord injuries causing partial or complete paralysis
- Fractures to the legs, pelvis, ribs, and arms
- Internal organ damage requiring emergency surgery
- Severe road rash and soft tissue injuries
Many pedestrian accident victims require treatment at Philadelphia's Level I trauma centers, including Temple University Hospital, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital.
In the most serious cases, survivors of pedestrian collisions may undergo long-term rehabilitation at facilities like Jefferson Moss-Magee or Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.
How Insurance Companies Handle Pedestrian Injury Claims
After a pedestrian accident, the driver’s insurance company may contact you quickly, sometimes within days of the crash. Adjusters often ask for a recorded statement or offer an early settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.
These early offers may seem helpful when you’re not working and medical bills start arriving. However, they are often based on limited information about your injuries, future treatment needs, and the other ways your injuries affect your life.
Insurance companies may also look for statements they can use to argue that the pedestrian shared responsibility for the crash. Under Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rules, those arguments can reduce the amount of compensation available.
For these reasons, many injured pedestrians choose to speak with a trial lawyer before discussing a settlement with an adjuster. Our pedestrian accident attorneys can evaluate the evidence, calculate the full value of your claim, and negotiate with the insurance company while you focus on recovery.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?
Pennsylvania law allows injured pedestrians to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. The specific damages depend on your injuries, medical treatment, and how the accident affects your life.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover your financial losses, including:
- Emergency room bills and hospital stays
- Surgeries and medical procedures
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Future medical care and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages during recovery
- Diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous work
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for losses that do not have a specific price tag, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium (impact on your relationship with your spouse)
Wrongful Death Damages
No amount of compensation can ever ease the pain of losing a loved one, especially to a preventable accident. But the right compensation can ease the financial burdens families struggle with during this difficult time. Surviving family members may pursue compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of the deceased's income and financial support
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and parental care
- Medical expenses incurred before death
The Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyers at Hill & Associates will evaluate your case, working with qualified medical and economic experts if necessary, to calculate its full and fair value, not what the insurance companies say it’s worth.
Pennsylvania Pedestrian Accident Law: Your Rights and Deadlines
Pennsylvania's statute of limitations (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524) gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence, including traffic camera footage, witness memories, and vehicle damage.
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% at fault for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to pedestrians, which is why having an experienced attorney matters.
Under Pennsylvania law, drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks when traffic signals are not operating. Pedestrians also have duties, including not suddenly stepping into traffic. However, a pedestrian's right-of-way violation does not automatically bar recovery if the driver was also negligent.
Pedestrian accident cases in Philadelphia County are filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, where our attorneys appear regularly.
Serving Pedestrian Accident Victims Throughout Philadelphia
From our Center City office at 1700 Market Street, Hill & Associates represents pedestrian accident victims injured throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding region.
We handle cases involving accidents in all Philadelphia neighborhoods, including Center City, University City, North Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, Kensington, Germantown, Manayunk, Roxborough, and the Northeast. We also serve clients in Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, and Chester County.
If you need trauma care, Philadelphia's Level I trauma centers include:
- Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
- Temple University Hospital
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
- Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital
For rehabilitation, facilities like Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, and Penn Medicine Rehabilitation provide specialized care for pedestrian accident survivors recovering from traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and orthopedic trauma.
FAQs About Pedestrian Accident Claims in Philadelphia
How much does a pedestrian accident lawyer cost in Philadelphia?
At Hill & Associates, you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our contingency fee arrangement means we only get paid when you do. Your initial consultation is free.
What if the driver who hit me does not have insurance?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy may provide compensation. If you do not own a vehicle, coverage from a household member's policy may apply. We can help identify all available sources of recovery.
Can I still recover if I was crossing outside a crosswalk?
Yes, you may still have a claim. Pennsylvania's comparative negligence rules allow recovery as long as you were less than 51% at fault. Even if you share some responsibility, you can pursue compensation for the driver's share of fault.
How long does a pedestrian accident case take to resolve?
Timelines vary depending on the severity of your injuries and the complexity of your case. Some cases settle within months, while others require litigation and may take a year or longer. We keep clients informed throughout the process.
What should I bring to my first meeting with an attorney?
Bring any documents you have, including the police report, photos of the scene and your injuries, medical records, insurance information, and contact details for witnesses. If you do not have all of these, that is okay. We can help you gather evidence.
Do I have a case if the driver fled the scene?
Yes. Hit-and-run victims may recover compensation through uninsured motorist coverage. Additionally, surveillance cameras, witness descriptions, and debris from the vehicle can help identify the driver. We work with investigators to pursue all options.
Injured in a Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident? Free Consultation Today.
A pedestrian accident can leave you with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about the future. You do not have to face this alone. At Hill & Associates, we are committed to helping injured pedestrians throughout Philadelphia recover fair compensation and move forward with their lives.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We are here to listen to your story and help you explore your options.