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Minneapolis Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Pedestrian accidents are an unfortunate reality of traversing a busy city like Minneapolis on foot. Despite the city’s efforts to enhance pedestrian safety with marked crosswalks and improved signage, pedestrians are still highly vulnerable road users. There will always be drivers who are speeding, not paying attention, or driving intoxicated, putting pedestrians at risk. If a driver recently struck you or someone you love, count on the attorneys at Knutson + Casey for hard-hitting legal representation.

Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can occur in many ways. Learning the most common types can help you stay safe the next time you walk around downtown Minneapolis. If you’ve already been involved in one of these types of pedestrian accidents, don’t hesitate to speak with an attorney regarding your rights and legal options. An attorney can help you establish a position as a plaintiff within the civil court system, and potentially receive monetary compensation for your losses. Here are three common types of pedestrian collisions:

  1. Intersection accidents. Drivers making turns at intersections may not look before proceeding, or they may fail to yield the right of way to crossing pedestrians. Both mistakes can lead to pedestrian injuries and deaths in a subsequent collision. Pedestrians should only cross when they have a “Walk” sign, and look both ways – even when they have the right-of-way – to avoid these accidents.
  2. Accidents involving children. Children are at high risk of being involved in pedestrian accidents. This is because kids are prone to running out into the road unexpectedly and crossing the street without looking. Drivers should always drive slowly through school zones and residential neighborhoods, and they should prepare to stop suddenly should a child run into the road. Drivers should also obey the law when it comes to stopping for school buses.
  3. Parking lot accidents. Drivers speeding through parking lots or driving while distracted can easily strike crossing pedestrians, or back into pedestrians when exiting a parking space. Drivers must obey speed limits and stop signs in parking lots and check carefully for people walking before proceeding.

Pedestrians can also be involved in jaywalking accidents if they cross the road at a location that is not an intersection or marked crosswalk. In these cases, the courts may find the pedestrian partially or totally responsible for the incident. In Minnesota, you may still receive compensation if you are less than 50% at fault for a pedestrian accident. If you aren’t sure who is at fault for your accident, talk to an attorney for clarification.

After the Accident: What to Do as an Injured Pedestrian

If you like to walk around Minneapolis for sightseeing, shopping, or just to get around, be on your guard at all times. Never assume a driver sees you or is going to stop for you to cross the road. Avoid walking on the shoulder of the road – if you must, walk in the direction against the flow of traffic. Unfortunately, you could get into a pedestrian accident no matter how careful you are. If the worst happens, come to Knutson + Casey.

Our Minneapolis team sincerely hopes we never hear from you regarding a pedestrian accident. These collisions can easily result in serious injuries such as broken bones, crushed limbs, concussions, and permanent spinal cord injuries. We never like to hear that someone has sustained an injury or died in a crash involving a helpless pedestrian.

If this is your reality, however, you can trust us for aggressive representation. We’ve successfully settled or litigated over 2,000 cases and can offer you high-quality legal assistance. To set up your free, no-obligation consultation with someone from our team, call (507) 344-8888 or reach out online.