Richmond Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

You’re walking in your neighborhood, heading to the store, a bus stop, or just out for air. You follow the signals. You use the crosswalk. And then, out of nowhere, a driver doesn’t look, yield, or stop. Suddenly, you’re on the pavement, and everything has changed.

Pedestrian accidents happen in busy intersections, quiet side streets, and even in broad daylight. And when they do, they leave people injured, disoriented, and unsure of how to hold the driver accountable. If you’ve been hit and need someone to stand up for you, a Richmond pedestrian accident lawyer at Merrick Brock, PLLC, is ready to step in. We’ve seen what happens when victims get blamed, ignored, or pressured into settling too soon. And we’re here to help change that.

At Merrick Brock, PLLC, our attorneys bring our clients decades of courtroom experience, a deep understanding of insurance tactics, and a commitment to fighting for what’s fair.

What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Richmond?

If you’ve been hit by a vehicle while walking in Richmond, here are the most critical steps to take:

• Call 911 and get medical help. Seek medical attention from the paramedics or your doctor, even if you feel okay. The police will also create a report that documents the crash.
• Capture the scene. If you can, take photos of your injuries, the vehicle, the location, traffic signs, and crosswalks. These details will matter later.
• Collect information. Get the driver’s contact and insurance details, and ask for witnesses’ names and phone numbers.
• Avoid making statements. Don’t apologize or discuss the crash with the driver. Anything you say could be used to suggest you were at fault.
• Stay off social media. Even well-meaning posts can be misinterpreted and used by the insurance company to challenge your claim.
• Call a pedestrian accident law firm. The earlier you talk to a lawyer, the better your chances of protecting your rights and securing key evidence.

A Richmond pedestrian accident attorney can step in quickly to help preserve evidence, guide your next steps, and protect you from insurance tactics that could jeopardize your claim.

What Are Common Injuries from Pedestrian Accidents?

In 2024, DRIVE SMART Virginia reported that 126 pedestrians were killed on Virginia roadways. Unlike drivers and passengers, pedestrians don’t have the protection of a vehicle around them. When a car, truck, or SUV strikes a person on foot, the injuries are often catastrophic. Even at low speeds, the human body can suffer serious harm from the impact.

Some of the most common injuries in pedestrian accidents include:

• Lacerations,
• Fractures, broken bones, and other orthopaedic injuries,
• Herniated discs,
• Spinal cord injuries,
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs),
• Internal bleeding,
• Soft tissue injuries,  
• Organ damage,
• Facial and dental injuries, 
• Amputation,
• Disfigurement, 
• Permanent disability, 
• Concussions,
• Coma, and
• Death.

If you or a loved one has suffered these injuries, or others like them, in a pedestrian accident, contact Merrick Brock, PLLC. We can evaluate your case, explain your options, and help you take the next step toward recovery.

How Do You Prove a Pedestrian Accident Claim?

To succeed in a pedestrian injury case, you must prove that the driver who hit you was at fault. To do this, you must provide evidence of the following four elements of negligence:

1. Duty of care. The driver had a legal obligation to act reasonably and follow traffic laws. All drivers owe this duty to pedestrians, especially in marked crosswalks, intersections, and areas with heavy foot traffic.
2. Breach of duty. You must show that the driver violated their duty of care. This breach could involve speeding, distracted driving, running a red light, or failing to yield at a crosswalk. 
3. Causation. It’s not enough that the driver acted carelessly. You must also prove that their actions directly caused the accident and your injuries. 
4. Damages. Finally, you must show that you suffered actual harm from the crash. Damages can include physical injuries, financial losses, and the emotional impact of a collision.  

At our pedestrian accident law firm, we build every claim around these four elements. From the moment we take your case, we work to document each piece of the puzzle so that when the time comes to negotiate or go to court, your story is supported by evidence.

How Long Do I Have to Bring a Pedestrian Accident Claim?

If you were hit by a car while walking in Richmond, time is not on your side. Virginia law gives you a two-year window from the accident date to file a lawsuit for your injuries. If you fail to file by this deadline, you are generally barred from bringing your claim.

Also, the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to preserve critical evidence. Surveillance footage can get erased, skid marks fade, witnesses become harder to track down, and their memories become fuzzy as time passes.

We’ve seen too many strong cases fall apart because someone waited too long to ask for help. Talk to a lawyer now to help protect your claim and preserve the evidence.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Law Firm?

Cost is often one of the biggest concerns for people after a serious accident. Fortunately, many pedestrian accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means their payment is contingent on the outcome of your case: They only get paid if they secure compensation for you.

With a contingency arrangement, clients typically don’t pay anything upfront. The law firm may cover the initial costs of investigating the accident, consulting with experts, and preparing the claim. If the case is successful, the fee is usually a percentage of the final settlement or court award. There’s no hourly billing or retainer, and in most cases, clients don’t owe anything if there’s no recovery.

It’s important to confirm fee structures with any firm you’re considering so you understand exactly how payment works before moving forward.

Speak with a Richmond Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we’ve built our firm around handling complex injury cases. Our founding attorneys spent over 25 years defending major insurance companies and corporations. This experience now gives us a strategic edge when we represent injured pedestrians. We understand how the other side thinks, and we prepare every case like it’s going to trial.

If you were hit by a car while walking in Richmond, we encourage you to reach out as soon as possible. The sooner we can start preserving evidence and building your case, the more options you’ll have.  

Contact us for a free case evaluation with a Richmond pedestrian accident lawyer at Merrick Brock today to learn how we can help you move forward.