Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Philadelphia is a walking city. When a driver does not yield, the person on foot pays for it. We help make that right.
On foot in a city built for walking
People in Philadelphia walk everywhere: to work in Center City, to the subway and the bus, to school in West Philadelphia, to the corner store in North and South Philadelphia. That adds up to thousands of crossings every day at intersections where drivers are turning, rushing a light or glancing at a phone.
A pedestrian has no seat belt, no airbag and no steel frame. Even a low-speed impact can cause injuries that take months to heal, and the medical bills arrive long before the driver's insurer makes an offer.
Patterson Injury Lawyers represents pedestrians struck by cars, trucks, buses, rideshare vehicles and delivery drivers throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. We work out which insurance applies. In many cases, medical benefits may be available through an auto policy in your own household, or through the policy on the vehicle that hit you, even though you were on foot. Then we pursue the driver who caused the crash. The consultation is free and there is no fee unless we recover for you. Drivers and passengers can find more on our car accident page.
Common pedestrian accident injuries
A pedestrian is often hurt twice: once by the vehicle and again by the pavement.
- Leg, knee and pelvic fractures
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Shoulder, arm and wrist injuries from the fall
- Facial and dental injuries
- Road rash and scarring
- Fatal injuries
Where pedestrian crashes happen in Philadelphia
Dense neighborhoods put people and cars in the same narrow space. We see pedestrian crashes follow a few familiar patterns:
- Turning vehicles in Center City that cut through a crosswalk while people have the walk signal
- Wide, fast roads such as Roosevelt Boulevard and Broad Street, where crossing distances are long
- Transit stops, where people step out to catch a bus or trolley and drivers pass too closely
- Double-parked cars and delivery trucks that block the view of a crossing
- Poorly lit streets at night
Driver distraction runs through many of them. A glance at a phone or a navigation screen is all it takes to miss a person in the crosswalk. If your case involves a SEPTA vehicle or another government agency, special notice rules and shorter deadlines can apply, so it is important to call promptly.
"But I was not in the crosswalk"
Drivers and their insurers often claim the pedestrian darted out or crossed in the middle of the block. Do not assume that ends your claim. Under Pennsylvania's comparative negligence rule, shared fault can generally reduce a recovery rather than automatically bar it, and drivers still have a duty to pay attention and avoid people they can see.
What matters is the evidence: where the impact happened, how fast the vehicle was going, what the driver was doing and what cameras and witnesses show. If the worst has happened and you have lost a family member, please see our wrongful death page.
Every case is different. This page is general information, not legal advice.
How we help injured pedestrians
- Step 1
Free consultation
Call us from home or the hospital. We will explain where your medical bills can go first and what to expect from the claim.
- Step 2
We find the evidence and the coverage
We look for camera footage and witnesses, get the police report, and identify every insurance policy that may apply to someone on foot.
- Step 3
We pursue the driver's insurer
We document your injuries and losses, negotiate for you, and file suit if the insurer refuses to be fair. No fee unless we recover.
Pedestrian accident questions
Short answers to what people ask us most. For anything else, call us any time.
It depends on the insurance involved. In many cases, medical benefits may be available through an auto policy in your household, or through the policy on the vehicle that struck you. Health insurance may also apply. We help identify the right coverage and the order in which it pays.
You may still have a claim. Pennsylvania's comparative negligence rule generally means shared fault can reduce a recovery rather than automatically prevent one, and drivers must still watch for people in the road. The outcome depends on the facts, so talk with us before deciding you have no case.
Report it to the police immediately and write down anything you remember about the vehicle. Uninsured motorist coverage on a household auto policy may apply. We can also help look for cameras and witnesses that could identify the driver.
Yes. Claims involving government agencies can have special notice requirements and shorter deadlines than other injury claims. Contact us right away so those requirements are not missed.
Depending on the facts and the insurance involved, a claim may include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and other losses. Every case is different, and we will give you an honest assessment after reviewing yours.
Nothing upfront. The consultation with Patterson Injury Lawyers is free, and we are paid only if we recover compensation for you.
Related practice areas
Injured? Don't wait.
Call (215) 383-9959, 24/7. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we recover for you.