Hit by a car as a pedestrian? Learn your rights and protect your future—contact The Hoffmann Law Firm for a free consultation.
Pedestrian accidents can lead to life-changing injuries and emotional distress. Knowing your rights and the legal steps to take can significantly protect your well-being and secure fair compensation when you’re struck by a car.
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we have over 20 years of experience helping accident victims in St. Louis and throughout Missouri. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll fight to protect your rights and help you get the justice you deserve.
Property damage (e.g., if your phone or other belongings were damaged)
Right to a Safe Crossing
Missouri law gives pedestrians the right of way at marked crosswalks and intersections. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in these areas. The driver is likely at fault if you were hit while legally crossing.
Right to Pursue Legal Action
In cases of severe injury or wrongful death, you have the right to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver or other responsible parties.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Understanding how and why pedestrian accidents occur can help determine fault. Common causes include:
Distracted Driving: Drivers texting or using their phones may fail to see pedestrians.
Speeding: Higher speeds reduce a driver’s ability to stop in time.
Failure to Yield: Drivers may fail to yield at crosswalks or intersections.
Poor Visibility: Accidents often happen at night or in bad weather with low visibility.
Steps to Take If You’re Hit by a Car
If you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, it’s crucial to act quickly to protect your rights:
Seek Medical Attention
Even if your injuries seem minor, get checked by a medical professional. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding or concussions, may not be immediately apparent.
Call the Police
Request that law enforcement come to the scene and file an official accident report. This report will be a vital piece of evidence in your case.
Gather Evidence
If possible:
Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle, and your injuries.
Get the driver’s contact and insurance information.
Collect contact information from any witnesses.
Document Your Injuries and Losses
Keep a detailed record of your medical treatments, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident.
Avoid Speaking to Insurance Adjusters
Insurance companies may minimize your claim. Speak with an experienced attorney before providing a statement.
Determining Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
Liability depends on the circumstances of the accident. The driver is often at fault, but there are exceptions.
Missouri follows a comparative fault system. If you were partially at fault (e.g., jaywalking or crossing against a signal), your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Other Liable Parties
In some cases, liability may extend to:
Government Entities: If poor road design or malfunctioning traffic signals contributed to the accident.
Vehicle Manufacturers: If a defect in the vehicle caused the accident.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
If you’re hit by a car, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages:
Medical bills (current and future)
Lost income
Rehabilitation costs
Property damage
Non-Economic Damages:
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence, such as DUI, you may be awarded additional damages to punish the driver and deter future misconduct.
Insurance Considerations
Missouri drivers are required to carry liability insurance, which typically covers pedestrian accidents. However, complications can arise, such as:
Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers: If the driver lacks adequate insurance, you may need to use your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Hit-and-Run Accidents: If the driver flees the scene, identifying them may require legal or investigative assistance.
Why You Need an Attorney
A pedestrian accident attorney can help:
Investigate the accident
Determine fault and liability.
Handle negotiations with insurance companies
Pursue a lawsuit if necessary
By working with a skilled attorney, you can focus on recovering while they fight for the compensation you deserve.
Preventing Pedestrian Accidents
While drivers have a duty to avoid hitting pedestrians, taking precautions can reduce your risk:
Use crosswalks and obey traffic signals.
Stay visible, especially at night.
Avoid distractions like texting while walking.
Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm Today
If you’ve been hit by a car, understanding your rights as a pedestrian is crucial to securing the compensation you deserve. You shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden of someone else’s negligence alone, from medical expenses to emotional distress.
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we have over 20 years of experience helping accident victims in St. Louis and throughout Missouri. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll fight to protect your rights and help you get the justice you deserve.
Chris Hoffman is an excellent attorney. He is the best above the rest. What makes him different? He communicates promptly - I don't have to leave message after message for him to reach out to me. When I telephone his office, if he doesn't answer the telephone, his assistant does. Chris Hoffman is very attentive and focused. He means business, and he hit the ground running on the cases. I'm so blessed to have him for my attorney.
"Of all the lawyers I have met, this one is a true professional. This attorney goes against the biggest law firms and wins!"
Response from the owner:The compliment is much appreciated. Like every profession, it all starts with training our lawyers to be the best at every aspect of car accident cases. But the foundation of a great case is a great client. Thanks!
I'd say this lawyer is in the top three of the best you'll ever see. Add this attorney to the interview list if you ever get in an automobile accident. This Law Firm is on another level.
Response from the owner:Much appreciated. Techniques that an attorney or any professional uses are paramount for success. This is part of our lawyers training and preparation. It leads to success. Thank you!
People say this is the best car accident lawyer in St.Louis. Yep! Seeing this attorney in action is incredible.
Response from the owner:Great compliment. We work hard to be the best. Our lawyers also work very hard to help other lawyers in our profession. Not matter what, a cases is only as good as the client is. Thanks!
Response from the owner:Thanks! Referrals and recommendations from prior car accident clients is our #1 source of cases. People who grew to trust us send family and friends.
The Hoffman law firm is truly professional. After hiring them I was truly relieved and knew I was in good hands. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Being in good hands is important. Many lawyers take cases with little experience and little resources. Our firm specialized decades ago. We are focused exclusively on accident cases.
The lawyers on tv just dont compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr.Hoffmann is as good as they get.
Response from the owner:Thank you. The TV attorneys are just settlement mills. People are hiring a paralegal, not a lawyer. Our law firm is different. You are represented by an attorney and we do not have settlement quotas.
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner:TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner:Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner:This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner:Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner:Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner:Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner:Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
