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Pedestrian Accidents Real Lawyers. Real Results.

Hartford Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Plaintiff-Side Representation for Pedestrians Injured in Connecticut

A pedestrian collision creates immediate pressure on multiple fronts: medical care, lost income, insurance communications, and evidence that begins to disappear the moment the scene clears. Since 1955, RisCassi & Davis, P.C. has represented injured individuals and families across Connecticut, and we have never represented an insurance company. If you or someone close to you was struck by a vehicle in Hartford, we can help you understand what your claim may involve and what to do next.

We handle pedestrian accident matters on a contingency basis, meaning there is no attorney fee unless we recover for you. We also travel across Connecticut to meet clients whose injuries or location make travel difficult. With more than half a billion dollars recovered for clients across hundreds of cases, we bring depth of preparation to every matter we take on.

Call (860) 245-2412 or contact us online to book your free legal consultation with our attorney.

How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

Driver conduct is a common contributing factor in pedestrian crashes, but liability analysis often requires reviewing much more than the driver’s account. Signal phases, sight lines, roadway markings, lighting, vehicle movement, and witness testimony can all shape how responsibility is assigned under Connecticut law.

Examples of driver conduct that may contribute to a crash include:

  • Failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks
  • Failing to stop at stop signs or traffic lights
  • Not checking behind them before backing or pulling out
  • Paying more attention to their phone than to the road
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances
  • Failing to signal while turning
  • Speeding and other reckless driving
  • Disregarding weather or traffic conditions

Connecticut law assigns different duties to drivers and pedestrians depending on the location, the presence of traffic controls, crosswalk status, and the conduct immediately before the impact. A pedestrian doesn’t automatically lose a claim because a collision occurred outside a marked crosswalk. The applicable duties turn on the facts and the governing statute.

Pedestrian conduct that may be evaluated in a liability analysis includes:

  • Failing to look both ways before crossing
  • Crossing outside designated areas or darting between parked vehicles
  • Reduced visibility due to dark clothing in low-light or poor-weather conditions

Infrastructure conditions also factor into many claims. Poorly lit streets, missing signage, inadequate crosswalk markings, and roadway design can all become relevant to how a case is evaluated. Hartford’s Complete Streets Plan addresses high-visibility crosswalks, raised crosswalk installations, improved lighting, and uncontrolled crossing locations as part of ongoing municipal safety work, and those design decisions can become part of the evidence picture in a given claim.

Where & When Do Pedestrian Accidents Typically Occur?

According to the NHTSA, recent data show roughly 84% of pedestrian fatalities occur in urban rather than rural areas.

In cities, pedestrian accidents often occur on or around:

  • Intersections
  • Crosswalks
  • Roads without sidewalks or shoulders

These incidents are also more likely to occur during the evening and nighttime hours, when visibility is low.

In Hartford, pedestrian-signal timing and in-crosswalk signage are active municipal traffic-management concerns. Prompt review may identify relevant roadway and video evidence.

How We Handle Pedestrian Accident Claims

At RisCassi & Davis, P.C., we prepare every case as though it may proceed to trial. That preparation supports thorough early investigation, careful evaluation of competing fault arguments, and a stronger negotiating position with insurers. Seven of our attorneys are Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a credential that reflects demonstrated trial preparation and performance.

For pedestrian claims that require technical analysis, we draw on a national network of professionals in medicine, engineering, traffic safety, and accident reconstruction. A pedestrian case may turn on collision reconstruction, review of medical records, analysis of future care needs, and evaluation of roadway conditions. Our attorneys work collaboratively and share case resources across the firm, so clients benefit from that collective preparation regardless of which attorney leads their matter.

We offer same-day appointments when possible, including evening or weekend meetings by request. We understand that a serious injury can make travel difficult, and we can come to you. We have received recognition from Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers®, Martindale-Hubbell®, and the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association.

Connecticut Pedestrian Laws & Claim Timing

Connecticut General Statutes § 14-300 governs pedestrian-control signals and driver duties at marked and unmarked crosswalks, including the circumstances under which a driver must yield. The duties that apply to any particular collision depend on the location, the presence of traffic controls, and the conduct of both parties immediately before impact.

Connecticut’s comparative-responsibility rules can reduce a claimant’s recovery in proportion to their attributed share of fault. Under Connecticut’s modified comparative fault framework, a claimant who is found to bear more than half the responsibility for a collision may be barred from recovery entirely. This means that even when a pedestrian bears some responsibility for a collision, a claim may still have value. The applicable reduction depends on the specific facts and findings in the case.

Claims involving a municipality, public roadway, or government vehicle may carry additional notice, filing, or timing requirements that differ from a standard negligence action. Connecticut General Statutes § 52-584 addresses the general limitation period for negligence-based personal injury actions, but the deadline that applies to a specific claim depends on who the defendant is, the nature of the injury, and the applicable exceptions. Our attorneys can confirm the deadlines that apply to your situation and identify any additional notice requirements.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Hartford

Taking the right steps after a pedestrian collision can help protect your health and support your claim. Get medical care even if you feel fine immediately after the impact. Some injuries take time to become apparent, and a prompt medical evaluation creates documentation that matters later. Report the incident to police and obtain a copy of the official report. Collect contact and insurance information from the driver and ask nearby witnesses for their names and accounts.

Photograph the scene, the vehicle, your injuries, and any visible roadway conditions, crosswalk markings, signage, or lighting. Preserve the clothing you were wearing, as it may be relevant to injury documentation. If businesses or traffic systems in the area may have captured video, act quickly to request preservation of that footage before it is overwritten. Avoid speculating about fault or providing a recorded statement to an insurer before you have spoken with a pedestrian accident lawyer about your rights and options.

We can handle evidence collection and insurer communications while you focus on your recovery.

 

What Sets Us Apart

  • Significant Honors & Recognition

    In our 70+ years of experience, we have received both national & regional recognition for our handling of injury cases, and many honors from our legal colleagues.

  • An Expert Team Approach

    We have an extensive national network of experts available to us in the fields of medicine, engineering, traffic safety, accident reconstruction, and more – each available to work on your case should it require their expertise.

  • Over Half a Billion Dollars Recovered
    We've taken hundreds of cases to trial and we've won some of the largest personal injury verdicts and settlements in Connecticut history.
  • Board-Certified Trial Lawyers
    Our seven attorneys who have achieved this honor demonstrated they have the training & depth of experience to help you get the best possible outcome for your case.

Common Injuries in Pedestrian vs. Car Accidents

When a motor vehicle strikes a person, the pedestrian can suffer serious harm. Pedestrians have none of the protections a vehicle occupant relies on: no seat belt, no airbag, no passenger compartment. Significant bodily injury can occur even when vehicle damage appears limited, because the human body absorbs the force of impact directly.

Some injuries require extended hospitalization, surgeries, or long-term rehabilitation. Others may affect earning capacity, mobility, independence, or quality of life in ways that are not fully apparent in the first days after a collision. Documenting the full scope of your injuries, including their likely future effects, is an important part of building a pedestrian accident claim.

Injuries commonly suffered by pedestrians in auto-pedestrian accidents include:

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Recoverable Damages in a Pedestrian Accident

what damages can you recover pedestrian accident infographic

Damages typically fall under one of two categories:

  • Economic damages: Economic damages cover actual monetary losses caused by your pedestrian accident. These include medical expenses (hospitalization, surgeries, medications), lost wages, property damage, ongoing treatment, counseling, and other financial losses directly related to your case.
  • Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages involve losses that are difficult to measure in dollars. These may include compensation for physical and emotional pain, loss of body function or limb, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of activities due to permanent injury.

A thorough damages evaluation should account for both documented current losses and reasonably supported future effects, including anticipated medical care, reduced earning capacity, and long-term impacts on mobility and daily life. Because insurance carriers may undervalue non-economic losses, the evaluation should document how the injuries affect the client’s function and daily life.

In limited circumstances, punitive or exemplary damages may be available, but that depends on the specific facts and applicable law. The exact compensation you may receive depends on the circumstances of your individual case. We have recovered more than half a billion dollars for clients across hundreds of cases, but prior results don’t determine the outcome of a new case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What If the At-Fault Driver Left the Scene?

If a driver leaves after striking a pedestrian, contact police immediately. Report the incident and provide any information you have about the vehicle. Witness accounts and nearby video footage can assist law enforcement. You should also promptly review your own automobile insurance policy, as uninsured motorist coverage may apply to hit-and-run collisions. Our attorneys can help preserve available evidence and evaluate coverage options for your specific situation.

We handle pedestrian accident claims on a contingency basis, with no attorney fee unless there is a recovery. Call RisCassi & Davis, P.C. at (860) 245-2412 or send us a message online to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation consultation with our pedestrian accident attorneys in Hartford today.

Our Settlements & Verdicts

Recent Case Victories
  • $40 Million Truck Accident

    Pedestrian injured by a delivery truck resulting in paralysis.

  • $15.2 Million Wrongful Death

    Jury trial verdict for a young woman killed by a reckless driver in Waterbury.

  • $12.6 Million Wrongful Death

    Injury and death damages as a result of an explosion at the Kleen Energy plant.

  • $11 Million Truck Accident

    Collision with commercial delivery truck results in brain injury.

  • $9 Million Paralyzed Worker

    $9,000,000 settlement for a paralyzed construction worker.

Contact Us

Real Lawyers. Real Results.

Our dedicated legal team is ready to speak with you today. Use the form or call us at (860) 245-2412 to get started today.

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