Injured in an Accident
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Cases
Pedestrians and bicyclists have almost no protection when struck by a motor vehicle. A collision can cause life-altering injuries, and the evidence may depend heavily on roadway design, lighting, visibility, video, and witness accounts.
Pedestrians and Bicyclists Remain Vulnerable
NHTSA reported that 7,080 pedestrians and 1,103 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2024. Many additional victims survived with fractures, head injuries, internal trauma, scarring, and permanent limitations.
Common Collision Patterns
Crashes often occur at intersections, crosswalks, driveways, parking lots, and during vehicle turns. Speed, distraction, darkness, sight obstructions, failure to yield, and unsafe passing may all require investigation.
- Turning vehicles and crosswalk collisions
- Failure to yield at intersections
- Parking-lot and driveway impacts
- Unsafe passing of bicyclists
- Hit-and-run or uninsured-driver incidents
Evidence Beyond the Police Report
The police report is important but may not contain every relevant fact. Nearby business video, traffic-camera footage, vehicle data, cell-phone evidence, lighting measurements, roadway markings, and witness interviews may affect the analysis.
Insurance Questions Can Be Complicated
Depending on the circumstances, automobile PIP, liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, household policies, or other insurance may apply. Identifying the correct coverage should be part of the early investigation.
The Pelesko Legal Approach
Prepare Thoroughly. Negotiate Intelligently. Fight Hard When Necessary.
Pelesko Legal does not treat unnecessary conflict as a substitute for effective representation. The first objective is to build the claim properly: identify the liability evidence, understand the insurance coverage, document the medical consequences, and explain how the injury has affected the client’s life.
Understand How Insurers Evaluate Claims
Experience representing injured people, insured defendants, insurers, and employers provides insight into the questions carriers ask, the weaknesses they look for, and the proof they expect before making a meaningful offer.
Present the Claim Persuasively
A claim is more than a stack of medical records. It should explain responsibility, causation, treatment, permanency, wage loss, and the human effect of the injury in terms the decision-maker can evaluate.
Resolve What Can Be Resolved
Many claims can be resolved without trial. The goal is a full and fair recovery supported by the facts and law, pursued as efficiently as the circumstances permit without sacrificing value merely to settle quickly.
Escalate When Necessary
When a fair resolution is not available, the matter should already be organized and prepared for litigation. Pelesko Legal will ensure that the matter has appropriate courtroom resources, including associating experienced trial counsel when appropriate and with the client’s approval.
Let Pelesko Legal Handle the Legal Work
A prompt review can identify liability, evidence, insurance, medical-documentation, and deadline issues before information is lost. Pelesko Legal builds the claim carefully, communicates its value in terms insurers understand, and pursues a full and fair resolution without unnecessary delay or litigation.
Please submit the confidential consultation form on this page so the matter can be reviewed through the firm’s intake process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pedestrian have a claim outside a marked crosswalk?
Potentially. Location is important, but liability depends on the full circumstances and the conduct of both the pedestrian and driver.
What if the driver left the scene?
Report the incident promptly and preserve all available evidence. Uninsured motorist coverage may be relevant in some hit-and-run cases.
Does a bicyclist have the same rights as a motor vehicle?
Bicyclists have legal rights and responsibilities on the roadway. The applicable traffic rules and facts must be evaluated.
Why is video so important?
Video may show signal timing, speed, visibility, driver movement, and the precise location of the impact before memories fade.