Personal Injury Lawyers Advocate for the Rights of Pedestrians Injured on the Streets of Greater Boston

Motorists owe those who walk, jog and run along our roadways a duty of care

Safety is a two-way street. Both pedestrians and motorists must obey the law. When pedestrian accidents do happen, however, it is the walker, jogger, runner, skateboarder or in-line skater who is likely to be injured — not those surrounded by thousands of pounds of steel. That is where duty of care comes in: Duty of care is a person’s legal obligation to act with reasonable care when performing an act that could cause foreseeable harm. Those who do not exercise care are considered negligent and may be liable for any harm they caused.

Did you know that Boston and the surrounding cities of Cambridge, Brookline and Somerville have been rated among the most walkable cities in America, with parks, shops and other amenities so close to home? While that’s great news for our communities, the downside for pedestrians who make good use of our streets is the inherent danger of sharing them with motor vehicles.

If you’ve suffered injury in a pedestrian accident resulting from a negligent driver’s actions, you are owed more than a duty of care. You are owed compensation for your injuries. At Swartz & Lynch LLP, our attorneys have a grasp of the legal issues involved in pedestrian accidents and the grit to fight insurance companies who would deny you full and fair compensation for the following:

• Emergency room and hospitalization expenses
• Bills from physicians, surgeons and other medical professionals
• Lost wages because you were unable to work
• The substantial pain and suffering that you are experiencing

How do pedestrian accidents happen?

According to statistics gathered by the Boston Public Health Commission, in the ten-year span from 1996 to 2006, there were, on average, nearly 963 motor vehicle-pedestrian incidents requiring ambulance transport per year. Pedestrians involved in auto accidents are often hit by the vehicle’s front end. The driver often doesn’t see the pedestrian and may be guilty of distracted driving. Other common causes of pedestrian accidents include the following:

Failure of the driver to yield right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk Failure to heed red lights or stop signs Speeding or taking corners too fast

Drunk driving Failure to look both ways at an intersection Riding on the shoulder or too close to the side of the road

As devastating as injuries to a pedestrian can be from a car accident, a truck accident involving pedestrians can lead to the most catastrophic injuries and even death. Large commercial trucks and their drivers are subject to state and federal laws. If you or a family member has been hit by a truck, it is imperative to secure immediate counsel and representation from a lawyer with experience handling both truck accident and pedestrian accident cases.

Every injured pedestrian needs protection

You have rights. At Swartz & Lynch LLP, we make sure they are protected. To learn more about how we fight insurance companies to help you obtain full and fair compensation for your injuries from a pedestrian accident, schedule a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys. To set up a convenient time, please call us at 857-250-0664 or contact an injury lawyer online. If you cannot come to our office, we will be happy to arrange to visit you at your home or hospital.