Virginia Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Walking near busy roads and tourist areas in Virginia Beach comes with risks that drivers don’t face. Even a low-speed collision can cause serious injuries for a pedestrian, and the consequences often affect every part of a person’s life.
If you or a loved one was a pedestrian hit by a car in Virginia Beach, you may be entitled to compensation for medical care, lost income, and the human impact of pain and life changes. Insurance companies act quickly to limit exposure, so early decisions matter.
Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law has represented injured people across Hampton Roads since 1973. Our Virginia Beach pedestrian accident lawyers bring deep local knowledge, extensive experience, and no fees until you win. When you are ready to talk, we are here to listen and help you take the next step.
How Pedestrian Accidents in Virginia Beach Happen
Pedestrian crashes in Virginia Beach are rarely “accidents” in the true sense. Most are preventable and trace back to choices drivers make behind the wheel. Tourism, seasonal traffic near the Oceanfront, and congested corridors increase exposure, but negligence is what turns a close call into a serious injury.
Common causes of accidents include:
- Speeding in residential areas and near crosswalks
- Distracted driving, including texting or scrolling at stops
- Failing to stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks
- Impaired driving from alcohol or drugs
- Rolling right turns that ignore people in the crosswalk
- Running red lights or pushing yellow lights
- Unsafe backing in parking lots and garages
- Poor visibility, whether due to low lighting or poor weather conditions
- Aggressive driving and tailgating that shortens reaction time
- Large vehicle blind spots, especially with trucks and SUVs
If you were a pedestrian hit in Virginia Beach, documenting what happened and who violated the rules of the road is key to proving fault.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
When the human body collides with a multi-ton vehicle, the consequences are devastating. The resulting injuries often require extensive treatment and time away from work. These are some of the most common injuries our firm sees in the Virginia Beach area:
- Traumatic brain injuries that affect memory, mood, and concentration
- Spinal cord trauma leading to weakness, chronic pain, or paralysis
- Complex fractures in the legs, hips, ankles, and arms that may need surgery
- Pelvic and rib fractures that make daily movement difficult
- Internal bleeding and organ damage that can become life-threatening
- Torn ligaments and tendon injuries that limit mobility long after impact
- Facial fractures, dental injuries, and scarring that require reconstruction
These conditions bring hospital stays, specialist care, physical therapy, and follow-up procedures. Keeping thorough records, following medical advice, and staying consistent with treatment all help show the full extent of your losses.
Understanding Liability for Pedestrian Accidents
In personal injury law, liability refers to legal responsibility for causing harm. In a pedestrian accident, determining liability means figuring out who had a duty to act safely, whether that duty was breached, and whether that breach caused the pedestrian’s injuries.
Virginia law places specific duties on drivers. Drivers must stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at certain intersections until the pedestrian has cleared the lane. Passing a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk is also prohibited. When drivers speed, fail to yield, make unsafe turns, or drive distracted, they are often responsible for resulting injuries.
Pedestrians are generally expected to follow traffic rules as well. Crossing against a signal, stepping into traffic when it is unsafe, or walking while impaired can contribute to an accident.
Virginia follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which means that if a pedestrian is even slightly at fault, they may be barred from recovering compensation. Because of this rule, insurance companies closely examine the circumstances of a crash for any evidence of pedestrian fault. Our attorneys can evaluate the facts, gather evidence, and protect your claim against unfair attempts to assign blame.
How Our Virginia Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help
For over five decades, Huffman & Huffman has stood up for injured people in Hampton Roads. Our team offers more than 150 years of combined legal experience, deep familiarity with local roads and courts, and relationships with investigators and experts who understand how these crashes happen. You pay no legal fee unless we secure a recovery for you.
Here is how our pedestrian accident lawyers in Virginia Beach can move your case forward:
- Investigate the crash scene and gather key evidence
- Obtain police reports and interview witnesses
- Preserve relevant camera footage when available
- Coordinate medical documentation and access to care
- Assess lost income and future earning capacity with experts
- Manage all communications with insurance companies
- Identify all potential sources of compensation, including UM/UIM coverage
- Prepare a strong claim or, if necessary, file suit and handle litigation
Our team is here to help you handle the legal details so you can start rebuilding after a difficult accident.
Damages You May Be Able to Recover after a Pedestrian Accident in Virginia Beach
Compensation after a pedestrian crash should reflect the full impact on your life. You may be able to pursue both economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages can include emergency care, hospital bills, specialist visits, physical therapy, medications, mobility devices, and lost income. In particularly serious cases, where your injuries reduce your ability to work or advance in your career, claims can also include loss of earning capacity.
- Non-economic damages account for pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of mobility, and the ways your injuries limit hobbies, family activities, and daily routines.
If you are a family member of a loved one who lost their life in a fatal pedestrian accident, you may pursue a wrongful death claim, which allows you to pursue other types of compensation.
Keep in mind that every case is different, and the value depends on evidence, diagnosis, recovery path, and liability issues.
Pedestrian Safety Tips
Although you can’t control the behavior of drivers, there are certain steps you can take to reduce your risk while walking Virginia Beach’s streets. These include:
- Using sidewalks when available and walking facing traffic if you must be in the roadway
- Crossing at marked crosswalks or intersections, and waiting for the walk signal
- Making eye contact with drivers before stepping off the curb
- Increasing visibility by wearing bright clothing
- Putting the phone away while crossing and avoiding earbuds that block traffic sounds
- Watching for vehicles turning right on red or making quick left turns across crosswalks
- Keeping children close and teaching them to stop at the curb and look carefully
- In parking lots, assuming drivers do not see you when backing out
For more practical guidance, read our safety tips for drivers and pedestrians.
What to Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident
Your actions after a collision can protect your health and your legal rights. If you were a pedestrian hit by a car in Virginia Beach, take these steps when you can do so safely:
- Call 911, request police and EMS, and report all symptoms to first responders
- Move to a safe location and avoid standing in traffic lanes
- Get the driver’s name, contact information, license plate, and insurance details
- Ask witnesses for contact information and save it in your phone
- Photograph the scene, the vehicle, your injuries, and nearby signs or signals
- Preserve clothing and shoes as evidence and avoid washing them
- Seek a same-day medical evaluation even if symptoms seem minor
- Reach out to a pedestrian accident law firm in Virginia Beach to understand your legal options
Get Help from a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Virginia Beach Today
You shouldn’t have to carry the financial and emotional burden of a crash caused by a careless driver. A Virginia Beach pedestrian accident lawyer from Huffman & Huffman can take on the legal work while you focus on recovery. We investigate quickly, build the evidence that proves fault, and fight for full and fair compensation under Virginia law. Contact us today to get the help you need. Your consultation is free, and you pay no fee until we win for you.