PENNSYLVANIA’S NONECONOMIC LOSS LAW AND PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS

October 2, 2014
dhdlaw

If you or someone you know has been injured by a vehicle as a pedestrian, then there are a few things you should know about Pennsylvania’s laws regarding pedestrian accidents. Most of us are already aware that pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks and intersections where there are no lights or signals. However, there are also many other situations in which pedestrians also enjoy right-of-way privileges. Some of these include sidewalks that cross driveways and alleyways.

Many accidents that involve automobiles and pedestrians quickly devolve into a dispute over which party has the right-of-way at the time of the accident. Establishing this liability is usually the most hotly contested component of many auto vs. pedestrian accidents. Perhaps the reason for this is that Pennsylvania law allows for injured pedestrians to recover non-economic losses for their injuries in such accidents.

This means that pedestrians injured by autos can sue for pain and suffering, both past and in the future. For example, a pedestrian injured by an auto might claim damages for disfiguring scars suffered as a result of the accident that results in a lower quality of life. Additionally, plaintiffs might also sue for the potential embarrassment or humiliation that those scars have caused them since the accident and might cause them in the future.

Our law firm would like you to know that we have been assisting clients in personal injury cases since 1985. With over 25 years of experience in Doylestown and Bucks County, we have the necessary knowledge and background in auto-pedestrian accidents to ensure that your claim for non-economic damages will be well-represented.