Pedestrian Accidents

After being struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian, your health and safety are the top priority. If you are conscious and able, try to move to a safe location away from traffic. Call 911 immediately or ask someone nearby to do so. Even if injuries do not seem severe at first, pedestrian accidents often cause hidden trauma, including internal injuries or head injuries that may not be immediately obvious.

Accept medical attention at the scene and follow up with a hospital or physician as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can seriously affect both your recovery and your legal claim. Insurance companies often argue that injuries are unrelated or exaggerated when treatment is postponed. Medical records created immediately after the accident are some of the strongest evidence in a pedestrian injury case.

If possible, gather information at the scene. Obtain the driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and license plate number. Take photos of the vehicle, your injuries, road conditions, traffic signals, crosswalk markings, and anything else that may help show how the accident occurred. If witnesses are present, collect their names and contact information, as their statements may become crucial later.

Do not discuss fault or make statements to the driver or insurance representatives beyond basic information. Avoid apologizing or speculating about what happened. Even innocent statements can be misinterpreted or used to shift blame.

Finally, consider speaking with a pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. Evidence in these cases can disappear quickly—surveillance footage may be deleted, and witness memories fade. At Trujillo Law Group, we help injured pedestrians take immediate steps to protect their rights, handle communication with insurers, and begin building a strong claim while the evidence is still available.

Liability in a pedestrian accident depends on how and where the collision occurred, and responsibility is not always limited to the driver alone. In many cases, the driver is at fault for failing to yield, speeding, driving distracted, or ignoring traffic signals or crosswalks. Drivers have a legal duty to remain alert and watch for pedestrians, especially in intersections, school zones, and residential areas.

However, pedestrian accident cases can involve additional responsible parties. In some situations, a city or municipality may share liability if poor road design, malfunctioning traffic signals, inadequate lighting, or missing signage contributed to the accident. Property owners may also be responsible if unsafe conditions—such as obstructed sidewalks or poorly maintained walkways—played a role.

Utah follows a comparative fault system, meaning fault may be shared between parties. Insurance companies often attempt to argue that the pedestrian was partially responsible by claiming jaywalking, distraction, or failure to obey signals. Even if a pedestrian shares some fault, compensation may still be available as long as they are not primarily responsible.

Determining liability requires careful investigation. This may include reviewing police reports, traffic camera footage, witness statements, vehicle data, and road conditions. At Trujillo Law Group, we analyze all potential sources of fault and pursue claims against every responsible party to ensure our clients are not unfairly blamed or undercompensated.

The value of a pedestrian accident claim depends on the severity of injuries, the impact on the victim’s life, and the available insurance coverage. Compensation may include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Serious injuries often result in ongoing medical care, assistive devices, or permanent limitations. A proper claim accounts not only for bills already incurred, but also for future treatment, therapy, and long-term needs. Accepting a settlement too early can leave victims responsible for expenses that arise months or years later.

Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts by disputing the severity of injuries or arguing shared fault. They may also pressure victims to settle quickly, before the full extent of injuries is known.

We help clients understand the true value of their claim based on evidence, medical opinions, and long-term impact—not just insurance company calculations. Our focus is on fair compensation that reflects the real consequences of the accident.

Pedestrian accidents often result in severe injuries because pedestrians have no physical protection against the force of a vehicle. Even low-speed impacts can cause life-altering harm. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, and severe soft tissue injuries.

Head injuries are particularly common, even when there is no visible trauma. Brain injuries can affect memory, concentration, emotional regulation, and the ability to work or perform daily activities. Spinal injuries may lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, or permanent disability.

Many pedestrians also suffer orthopedic injuries, including fractures to the legs, arms, hips, or pelvis. These injuries often require surgery, long-term rehabilitation, and physical therapy. In severe cases, pedestrians may face permanent impairment or disfigurement.

Beyond physical injuries, emotional and psychological trauma is common. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress can significantly affect quality of life. These injuries are just as real as physical ones and should be considered when evaluating compensation.

Insurance companies often focus on visible injuries and immediate medical bills, ignoring long-term consequences. At Trujillo Law Group, we work with medical providers and experts to present the full picture of injury—current treatment, future care, and how the injuries affect daily life, employment, and independence.

Time is a critical factor in pedestrian accident cases. Physical evidence such as skid marks, debris, and road conditions can disappear quickly. Surveillance and traffic camera footage is often overwritten within days or weeks. Witnesses may become difficult to locate, and memories fade.

Delaying legal action can also affect insurance claims. Deadlines apply to filing claims and lawsuits, and missing them can permanently bar recovery. Early action allows for proper investigation, preservation of evidence, and accurate documentation of injuries.

Prompt legal guidance also helps protect victims from insurance tactics designed to reduce or deny claims. Statements made early—before understanding the full impact of injuries—can harm a case.

At Trujillo Law Group, we act quickly to preserve evidence, manage communication with insurers, and build a strong foundation for the case. Early involvement allows us to protect our clients’ rights from the start and position their case for the best possible outcome.