Pedestrians face significant risk when sharing Virginia roadways with motor vehicles. The City of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University area in particular have seen a spike in pedestrian crashes lately, it seems.
Without physical protection, people walking or running are especially vulnerable to serious injuries when a collision occurs. Even a relatively low-speed impact can result in life-altering harm. Many individuals researching Virginia pedestrian accidents want to understand how these crashes happen and why they occur so frequently.
At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we represent pedestrians whose lives were disrupted by preventable crashes. Our Richmond pedestrian accident attorneys bring decades of trial experience, including many years defending insurance companies.
That background gives us insight into how pedestrian claims are evaluated, how fault is challenged, and why insurers often attempt to shift responsibility. We now use that experience to help injured pedestrians understand their rights and options under Virginia law.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Remain a Serious Concern in Virginia
Virginia’s roadways include busy urban intersections, suburban neighborhoods, busy college campuses, and high-speed rural corridors.
Pedestrians often interact with vehicles at crosswalks, intersections, parking areas, and residential streets. Traffic congestion, speed, and driver behavior all increase the risk of collisions.
Pedestrian crashes frequently result in catastrophic injuries because the human body absorbs the full force of impact. Recognizing the most common pedestrian accident causes helps explain why many of these incidents are preventable.
Common Causes of Virginia Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian crashes rarely occur by chance. In most cases, they result from driver error, unsafe conditions, or a combination of both. Below are several of the most common pedestrian accident causes seen throughout Virginia.
Distracted Driving
Drivers who focus on phones, navigation systems, or passengers may fail to notice pedestrians in time. Even a momentary distraction can prevent a driver from reacting appropriately.
Failure to Yield the Right of Way
Virginia law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at many unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Accidents often occur when drivers rush through intersections without checking for people crossing legally.
Speeding
Higher speeds reduce reaction time and increase stopping distance. When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian at excessive speed, injuries are more severe. Speeding is particularly dangerous in residential areas, school zones, and downtown Richmond corridors.
Turning Collisions at Intersections
Pedestrians are frequently struck by vehicles making left or right turns. Drivers may focus on traffic signals or oncoming vehicles while overlooking people crossing with a walk signal.
Impaired Driving
Alcohol or drug impairment affects judgment, reaction time, and awareness. Drivers under the influence pose a heightened risk to pedestrians, especially during evening and weekend hours.
Poor Visibility or Inadequate Lighting
Many pedestrian crashes occur in low-light conditions. Insufficient street lighting, weather conditions, windshield glare, or visual obstructions can make pedestrians harder to see. Drivers still have a duty to adjust their driving behavior based on visibility.
Backing-Up Incidents
Parking lots, driveways, and residential streets are common locations for pedestrian accidents involving vehicles reversing. Children and older adults face increased risk in these scenarios.
Unsafe Roadway Design
Some pedestrian crashes result from infrastructure issues such as missing crosswalks, poorly marked intersections, wide roadways, or lack of pedestrian signals. These design flaws increase exposure to traffic hazards.
Understanding these common pedestrian accident causes helps explain why many pedestrian injuries involve negligence rather than unavoidable circumstances.
How Pedestrian Injuries Commonly Occur
Because pedestrians lack protection, injuries tend to be severe. Common harm includes head trauma, broken bones, spinal injuries, internal organ damage, and soft tissue injuries. Recovery often requires extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Our attorneys regularly remind clients that minor impact does not mean minor injury. Even lower-speed collisions can cause lasting physical and emotional consequences, particularly for children and older adults.
How Virginia’s Contributory Negligence Rule Affects Pedestrian Claims
Virginia follows a contributory negligence system, one of the strictest legal standards in the country. Under this rule, an injured pedestrian may be barred from recovery if found even slightly responsible for the accident. Insurers often argue distraction, improper crossing, or failure to watch traffic.
However, contributory negligence is typically a question for the jury, not an automatic decision for insurance companies. Evidence such as witness testimony, traffic signals, video footage, and roadway design often plays a critical role in determining fault.
Common defenses are: (1) the pedestrian was not walking in a crosswalk or at an intersection. (2) the pedestrian was not walking on the shoulder of the road, and in the direction against
traffic. See Va Code § 46.2-923 and § 46.2-928. These are viable defenses, but they are not necessarily winners. Details matter, which is why you should consult an attorney.
What Steps Should You Take After a Pedestrian Accident?
The actions you take after a pedestrian accident can affect your health, your recovery, and your ability to pursue compensation. Even when injuries do not seem severe at first, taking thoughtful steps early helps protect your rights and preserve important evidence.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Medical care should always be the first priority. Some injuries, including head trauma and internal injuries, may not cause immediate symptoms. Prompt evaluation creates a clear medical record and helps identify conditions that may worsen over time.
Report the Accident to Law Enforcement
A police report provides an official record of the incident. Officers may document the scene, interview witnesses, and note contributing factors such as traffic signals or road conditions. Request a copy of the report when it becomes available.
Document the Scene When Possible
If you are able, take photographs of the location, vehicle involved, traffic signals, crosswalk markings, and visible injuries. Conditions can change quickly, and early documentation may help establish how the crash occurred. Look around to see whether there are any surveillance cameras in the area and ask the property owner (or store manager) to preserve it.
Gather Witness Information
Witness statements can play an important role in pedestrian cases, especially when fault is disputed. Obtain names and contact information for anyone who saw the collision or events leading up to it.
Avoid Insurance Statements Without Guidance
Insurance companies often contact injured pedestrians quickly. Recorded statements may be used to shift blame or minimize injuries. It is generally best to avoid providing detailed statements until you understand your rights.
Consult with an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Speaking with an attorney early can help you understand how Virginia law applies to your situation. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can evaluate fault, explain contributory negligence issues, identify insurance coverage, and guide you through next steps. Early legal guidance also helps protect against unfair blame and keeps ahead of important deadlines.
How a Richmond Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help
Guidance from a Richmond pedestrian accident lawyer can provide clarity during a difficult time. Legal representation often includes:
- Investigating how the accident occurred,
- Preserving physical and digital evidence,
- Reviewing medical documentation,
- Identifying all insurance coverage,
- Handling insurer communications, and
- Preparing the case for negotiation or trial.
At Merrick Brock, clients work directly with the attorneys handling their case. We emphasize careful preparation, honest communication, and trial readiness.
Speak with Merrick Brock About Virginia Pedestrian Accidents
Individuals affected by Virginia pedestrian accidents deserve clear answers and compassionate support. If you or a loved one was injured while walking in Richmond or elsewhere in Virginia, contact Merrick Brock to speak directly with the attorneys who will handle your case from start to finish.
Our firm is committed to providing guidance grounded in experience, integrity, and dedication to our community.
Reach out to our office today to schedule a confidential consultation and learn more about your rights and options.