In Vermont, it can be dangerous for a pedestrian to walk on the sidewalk. If a car or truck loses control, veers off the road, or crosses their path while they are walking through the streets, they could sustain serious injuries. Tragically, pedestrians frequently sustain injuries in car accidents, and occasionally these accidents result in death from their injuries. If such a tragedy occurs, you must have an attorney who specializes in pedestrian accidents, like Brandon J. Broderick, on your side. Receiving medical care after being hurt in a pedestrian accident should be your or a loved one's top priority.

After you have calculated your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses, determining how you will be compensated can be very challenging. Brandon Broderick's Vermont attorneys are experts at assisting injured pedestrian accident victims. Attorney Brandon J. Broderick places a high value on compassion and integrity. You can concentrate on taking care of your family and getting better rather than worrying about your legal problems. We simultaneously put our knowledge and dedication to work to find the best solution.

Keep in mind that the initial consultation with Vermont pedestrian accident attorney Brandon J. Broderick is free. In order to be paid, we must win your case. It is in our best interest to obtain the largest settlement or award for you because we are not compensated if you lose. Additionally, there is a good chance that an insurance company will try to give you a settlement that is not enough to cover your bills and expenses from the accident. This is usually true if you do not have legal counsel. Avoid putting yourself in this predicament by contacting us right away. We will help you recover and move forward after your setback.

The most common questions about pedestrian accidents in Vermont and crucial details about filing a personal injury claim after a pedestrian accident in Vermont are provided below.

How Can a Vermont Pedestrian Lawyer Help Me After My Accident?

A Vermont Personal Injury Lawyer Can File a Claim for Damages and Expenses for Your Injuries

No one is fully prepared to be involved in a pedestrian accident in Vermont. Being injured will increase your stress, especially if you anticipate a personal injury lawsuit. However, you must be aware of your rights and what you must do to defend them. After an accident has occurred, it is typical for an insurer to contact the injured party directly in an effort to settle the case as quickly and cheaply as possible. They will not be held accountable for any potential future costs in this way.

Direct negotiations with the insurance company should not be attempted. Along with paying for the immediate costs of your accident-related injuries, your insurance policy might also pay for future medical costs, lost wages, and long-term care and rehabilitation, which you will most likely qualify for.

We Are Trial Attorneys and Experts in Negotiation

Insurance companies have the financial means to refute claims for serious injuries. Having a lawyer on your side, like Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, will greatly increase your chances of succeeding in court. Our team of knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyers will handle all communications with your insurance provider and work hard to secure the settlement you are due. In the event that we are unable to agree, we will take the case all the way to trial. We will do everything possible to win.

We Will Stand By Your Side

You can rest easy knowing that Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, is doing everything possible to pursue a resolution that is in your best interests. Your primary focus should be on recovering your health.

After a pedestrian accident, it may be difficult to organize your finances, recover from your injuries, and make decisions about what to do next. In order to ensure that you are attended to throughout the entire legal process, our pedestrian accident attorneys prioritize communication and client service.

How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Vermont?  

Even though some pedestrians are in greater danger than others, anyone could be struck by a car. The CDC reports that pedestrian accidents are more likely to result in injury for teens and young adults than they are to result in death for elderly people and small children. Alcohol is yet another aspect. In fact, in nearly half of all collisions involving pedestrians, either the driver or the pedestrian is intoxicated. It is a dangerous situation that everyone should avoid.

What are The Top Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in The United States?

Every driver is accountable for driving responsibly and within the law. Accidents caused by careless driving can endanger not only the driver but also other road users, such as pedestrians.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

As was already mentioned, alcohol contributes to car accidents involving pedestrians. Never operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications.

Driving While Distracted

All road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers, are in danger when distracted drivers are on the road. Even for a brief moment, a driver's attention is diverted from the road when they are texting, using a mobile device, or using a GPS. This is yet another leading cause of car accidents in Vermont.

Walking at Night

It is much more difficult to see pedestrians at night, especially those wearing dark clothing. According to statistics, nighttime is when most pedestrian fatalities take place.

Turning Vehicles

Drivers should be alert for pedestrians who may be crossing the intersection to avoid striking them. Additionally, vehicles entering traffic may not pay attention to pedestrians crossing the street on the other side.

Speeding

Not only is driving too fast against the law, but it may also be considered "reckless." Drivers who speed through intersections, run red lights, or engage in other traffic infractions may be at fault for pedestrian accidents, particularly when there are serious injuries. Although reckless driving frequently results in severe punishment, this does not put a stop to it.

Reversing Vehicles

Walking through parking lots presents significant risks for pedestrians. Drivers who are rushing, distracted, or otherwise inattentive can cause serious or even fatal injuries when they back into people, especially small children.

Who is Liable For an Accident Involving a Pedestrian?

The driver of the vehicle is frequently, or at least partially, held accountable when a car strikes a pedestrian. A pedestrian who sustains injuries has the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver for compensation.

Since a pedestrian crossing the street in a crosswalk has the right-of-way, the driver of the automobile is almost always held liable or deemed "at fault" in the event of a collision involving a pedestrian.

At all intersections and crosswalks in Vermont, drivers are required to come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians. In addition, drivers must maintain their position until the crossing is complete. If a driver strikes a pedestrian while they are within the boundaries of a marked or unmarked crosswalk, the law deems them to have breached their “duty of care.”

A set of responsibilities, or "duty of care," applies to both drivers and pedestrians. Pedestrians must cross only at designated crosswalks and must always look in both directions before crossing, but only when crossing signs indicate it is safe to do so. This is in keeping with their duty of care. If a pedestrian crosses the street while intoxicated or without giving oncoming traffic a chance to avoid them, they will share responsibility for any resulting accidents. Even in cases of negligence, pedestrians in Vermont were permitted to seek comparable damages. As long as the pedestrian is not more than 50% at fault for the accident, they may file a claim for damages in Vermont.

How Much Is My VT Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth?

The extent of your injuries and their long-term effects will have a significant impact on the value of your claim. Intangible losses such as pain and suffering and a decrease in quality of life are additional variables that could affect the value of your claim.

If a car strikes you while you are walking, you should first try to negotiate a settlement with the driver. In other words, you will file a claim for your losses with the driver's insurance company. If a dangerous road or traffic situation contributed to your accident, you may be eligible for compensation from a third party, such as the property where the accident took place. You might be able to make a claim against the property owner's insurance if a dangerous parking lot condition was to blame for the accident.

The following are some examples of potential compensable damages:

  • Medical expenses and treatments
  • Rehabilitation
  • Emergency ambulance services
  • Prescriptions for medications
  • Transportation to and from medical appointments
  • Loss of income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Punitive damages (in some cases)


When calculating the value of your case, it is crucial to consider all possible outcomes. If a person sustains injuries that may necessitate long-term care or rehabilitation, he or she should file a personal injury claim for future medical expenses. The income you would have earned had the accident not occurred should also be considered.

Vermont's law of comparative negligence permits accident victims to receive compensation for their damages even if they contributed to the accident that caused them. You are eligible for compensation as long as your degree of fault is no more than 50%. The lower your fault is deemed in the accident, the higher the possibility of compensation

According to your degree of fault, the amount of compensation you receive from the other party's insurance company will be deducted from your losses. For instance, an insurance company may hold you 20% liable for an accident involving a pedestrian who was not following pedestrian laws. Your $100,000 claim would now only be worth $80,000.

What is The Deadline For Filing a Claim in Vermont?

In Vermont, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within three years of the incident or the date on which the injury was discovered. After three years, you may not be entitled to any damages.

Get in touch with a lawyer who specializes in pedestrian accidents right away. Building a solid case is best done while witnesses' memories are still fresh. Seek legal counsel without delay in the event of an injury to you or a family member.

What are The Most Frequent Injuries Suffered in Pedestrian Accidents?

Due to the substantial difference in mass between a pedestrian and a vehicle, pedestrian accidents frequently result in severe injuries. Typically, the windshield, hood, or bumper of the automobile strikes the pedestrian, sending them flying to the ground. This impact may result in one or more of the following serious injuries:

  • Trauma-related brain damage
  • Broken bones
  • Surgical amputations
  • Spinal cord trauma
  • Fatal injury

How Dangerous is it For Pedestrians in Vermont?

There were 133 hospitalizations, ED visits, and additional 9 deaths in Vermont in 2017 as a result of motor vehicle strikes on pedestrians. The rate of hospitalizations and ED visits increased from 17.3 per 100,000 in 2016 to 21.3 per 100,000 in 2017. However, this change was not statistically significant. In terms of severity, 10 out of the 133 visits for car accidents in 2017 required hospitalization. Among both males and females, those between the ages of 15 and 64 have a significantly higher rate of hospitalizations and ED visits compared to those 65 years and older. Alcohol and/or substance use by pedestrians is found among 7% of those hospitalized for injuries involving motor vehicles in Vermont.

The rates of hospitalizations and ED visits related to pedestrian injuries involving motor vehicles vary across Vermont. Compared to the state overall, hospitalization and ED visit rates are significantly higher in Chittenden County (28.7 per 100,000) and significantly lower in Rutland (10.1 per 100,000) and Windsor (7.2 per 100,000) counties.

Should I Hire an Attorney After a Pedestrian Accident in Vermont?

You are not required by law to retain legal representation following a pedestrian accident. Personal injury attorneys, on the other hand, have the expertise and knowledge necessary to gather information, question witnesses, consult with experts, and negotiate with insurance companies, whereas you likely do not. Compared to those who represent themselves, those who hire attorneys have a better chance of winning a larger settlement.

Day or Night Brandon J. Broderick is Available to Help You and Your Family if You or a Family Member Have Been Injured in an Accident in Vermont

Particularly if one sustains an injury, accidents of any kind can affect a person's life negatively. This is even more likely to occur in a pedestrian accident. Anxiety can result from the fact that your physical and mental health, in addition to your financial situation, are in jeopardy. For years, we have defended the rights of our clients against insurance companies and other attorneys.

As a result of our commitment to positive outcomes and excellent client service, the firm of Brandon J. Broderick is considered one of the top pedestrian accident attorneys in Vermont. We will make every possible effort to help you heal as well as get the maximum amount of compensation available to you for your injuries. If you have sustained an injury due to the negligence of another individual, you are not alone in your request for our assistance. For an immediate free consultation, please reach us via phone or email.

It is advisable to avoid fighting this alone. If necessary, our Vermont pedestrian accident attorneys will travel to your location. Please call (877) 665-8408  to get in touch with us today. We look forward to helping you recover from your setback.

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