Tulsa Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Tulsa Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Walking, rather than driving, can be very good for your health, but unfortunately, the presence of cars in the same areas as pedestrians leads to deadly accidents. If you have been injured by a negligent driver while walking, you know how much of an impact an accident like that can have on your life. If you are in the Tulsa area and find yourself pursuing compensation in such a scenario, you could benefit from the help of an experienced Tulsa pedestrian accident lawyer.

We at Fulmer Sill are dedicated to serving and empowering our clients to seek the settlements they deserve. As a premier Tulsa personal injury lawyer, we focus on personal injury claims. It is a point of pride for us to advocate for injury victims to receive the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. The legal system can be overwhelming, but we want you to know you do not have to face it alone. We are ready to stand beside you every step of the way.

How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents?

Most towns and cities are designed with pedestrian travel in mind. We have sidewalks, crosswalks, road signs, and over-the-road bridges to accommodate citizens who travel on foot. However, despite these built-in accommodations, walking on or near roads is still quite dangerous. Whether because of negligent or distracted driving, poor lighting, or intoxication, pedestrians are hit by vehicles more often than one might think.

In 2024, there were an estimated 7,148 pedestrians killed on American roadways. In 2023, that number was slightly higher, at 7,472. Of all Americans who lost their lives in traffic incidents in 2023, 18% were on foot. Oklahoma is certainly not immune to this problem. In 2024, our state saw 92 pedestrian deaths on the road.

What Compensation Can You Receive if You Are Injured in Tulsa?

If you sustained an injury from being hit by a motorist while walking, you are probably entitled to significant compensation to offset your financial losses and psychological trauma. Because everyone is required to carry car insurance, the driver’s insurance policy should include some coverage for injuries to pedestrians. However, any compensation you might receive from an insurance claim is unlikely to cover the total of your damages.

Insurance companies generally make an effort to pay as little as possible to protect their bottom lines. In practice, this can look like denying claims they should accept or underpaying claims they should fully cover. In some cases, an insurance company may even try to shift blame for the accident onto the victim, calling into question their client’s liability for the injury.

In situations like this, the next logical step is to file a personal injury claim. Compensation for personal injury claims is usually comprehensive, and the goal of any settlement is to restore your life, however possible, to the way it was before the accident and to reduce any financial burden your injury has caused. The general categories of personal injury compensation are described below. 

Medical Bills

The cost of medical care following a pedestrian accident injury can be exorbitant. For pedestrians hit by cars, injuries are often severe and require extensive medical care. From the initial medical bills, such as ambulance rides and emergency procedures, to ongoing expenses like rehab, physical therapy, or adaptive equipment, the financial burden of medical costs can become very heavy.

In a personal injury settlement, the compensation included for medical bills should cover all costs associated with medical treatment for the injury. From the moment of the accident to the point of maximum recovery, every bill the victim receives should be covered by the compensation. For long-term or catastrophic injuries, medical expenses can be ongoing, and settlement packages should take these projected costs into consideration, as well.

Lost Wages

In the current economic climate, hardworking families struggle to make ends meet. Most people cannot afford to miss one paycheck, or even a single unplanned day of work. If you sustain an injury in an accident, there is a good chance you may need to be out of work, at least for a little while. Your compensation from your personal injury claim should cover any wages you lose while you are recovering.

For some pedestrian accident victims, injuries are so severe that they permanently lose the ability to work as they did before. In these cases, allotted compensation for lost wages may include actualized losses as well as projected future losses. Depending on the victim’s professional position, projected lost wages can be estimated based on the victim’s career trajectory and possible future earnings.

Pain and Suffering

It may seem strange to quantify pain and suffering, but this is a standard component of settlements for personal injury cases. When people are injured, they experience the physical pain of the injury as well as psychological pain, fear, and trauma resulting from the accident and the injury. Pain and suffering compensation are meant to acknowledge and offset these hardships as much as is realistic.

What to Do if You Are Hit While Walking in Tulsa

If you are hit by a car while walking in Tulsa, the first thing to do is seek any medical attention you need, as the full extent of injuries may not be immediately obvious. Your health should be the top priority, and everything else can wait. If you are able, you should also call the police and report the incident. Hopefully, an officer can quickly respond to the scene and begin to assess the situation, take statements, and write a report.

The next thing you should do, if you are able, is get the driver’s insurance information. All drivers are required to carry adequate insurance, and their policy should cover injuries suffered by pedestrians. You should file a claim with their insurance company at your earliest convenience.

As police officers are evaluating an accident scene, witness statements can be very helpful. Such statements can also prove useful if you need to file a personal injury claim. If you are in any position to do so, it may benefit you to get the names and contact information of any witnesses.

Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Tulsa, OK

After dealing with the immediate aftermath of your accident and injury, the next step is to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer. It may seem that it is more logical to wait to hire a lawyer until you are filing a personal injury claim, but that could not be further from the truth. The sooner you seek legal counsel, the sooner you can get the sound legal advice you need to take your next steps confidently.

Your attorney may advise you on how and when to communicate with the motorist’s insurance company, how to document expenses, and when to file a personal injury claim. Some lawyers even communicate with insurance companies for you, which is ideal if your claim has been denied or underpaid.

The vast majority of personal injury claims do not reach a trial phase. However, if your case does go to trial, it is likely to be heard at the Tulsa County Court, located at 500 S Denver Ave., and your lawyer can present your side and represent you before the judge.

FAQs About Tulsa, OK Pedestrian Accident Laws

How Much Does a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Cost in Tulsa?

The cost of a pedestrian accident lawyer in Tulsa varies based on the complexity of the case and individual lawyers’ hourly rates and fee structures. Even so, the majority of lawyers who take personal injury cases work them on a contingency basis. This means they do not require any up-front payment from the client. In lieu of a retainer, the lawyer takes a percentage of any settlement they secure in the case.

How Are Pain and Suffering Calculated?

Pain and suffering are usually calculated using the multiplier method, the per diem method, or some combination of the two. Using the multiplier method, the total of the victim’s financial losses is multiplied by a number, which is chosen based on the overall impact of the injury on the victim’s life. Using the per diem method, the victim’s typical daily earnings are the basis of the calculation.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case?

Because every personal injury case is different, there is no simple answer for how long it might take to settle your claim. Personal injury claims usually cannot be completely resolved until the medical bills stop accumulating, which happens when a victim has reached a point of maximum recovery. Depending on the severity of the injury, this can take years.

Are Motorists Always Found Liable for Accidents Involving Pedestrians?

No, motorists are not always found liable for collisions with pedestrians. While people driving cars do have a responsibility to exercise maximum care when driving near people on foot, sometimes pedestrians step out in front of cars and do not allow drivers the time they need to react. This is especially possible at night, when visibility is low, or when pedestrians are intoxicated and unable to take proper precautions.

Contact A Tulsa Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Fulmer Sill Today

If you have been hit by a car while walking, you may feel like your life is falling apart. Mounting medical bills, lost wages, and psychological trauma can cause significant stress for you and your family. You deserve to pursue the compensation you need to put the pieces back together. Contact Fulmer Sill today and find out how we can empower you to seek justice.