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Were you or someone you love hit by a vehicle while walking?

If you were struck by a car, truck, or bus while walking, you are in the right place.

Are you in an emergency right now?

  • Check yourself and others for injuries, breathing, and bleeding.
  • Call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is not safe.
  • Move away from traffic if you can do it safely.
  • Get medical care even if you feel fine. Some injuries hide for days.
  • This page is for after you are safe.

This page covers pedestrian crash deadlines and what to do right now. We are the injured person's advocate. We connect you with a lawyer who handles cases like yours, so you get the full settlement your recovery deserves. Always free. Talk to an advocate. We usually reply within minutes, at most one business day.

Pedestrian deaths are a serious and growing problem on U.S. roads. In 2024, an estimated 7,080 pedestrians died in traffic crashes, down 4% from 7,367 deaths in 2023, but still far above levels from 15 years ago (NHTSA). One out of every four pedestrians killed in 2024 was struck by a driver who fled the scene, a hit-and-run (NHTSA).

Why pedestrian claims are tricky

Comparative fault rules mean an insurance company may try to blame you, for jaywalking, dark clothing, or being distracted, to reduce or deny your claim, even when the driver was mostly at fault. Hit-and-run crashes are also common. If the driver is never found, you may need to rely on your own uninsured motorist coverage or a state fund instead of the driver's insurance.

Evidence like traffic camera footage and 911 call recordings can be deleted or overwritten within days or weeks if no one requests it in time. Ask nearby businesses to save any footage before it disappears. Talk to an advocate and they will introduce you to a lawyer who pushes back against unfair blame early.

What real pedestrian cases have paid

These are publicly reported results. They show how widely serious cases vary. They are examples only. No one can promise or predict what any case is worth, and many cases resolve for far less.

We are not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Serious pedestrian injuries carry serious lifetime costs, and the system can pay for them when the case is handled well.

When it goes wrong: a true story

On November 28, 2023, Johna Story, a 71-year-old grandmother, stepped out of her car on an Arizona highway to help direct traffic around an earlier crash where sun glare was blinding drivers. A Tesla Model Y, driving in its "Full Self-Driving" mode, struck and killed her (Electrek).

It took more than two and a half years for the lawsuit over her death to reach a settlement, announced in June 2026, and the terms were never made public (Electrek). These cases can take years to resolve and the details rarely become public on their own. Talk to an advocate. They will introduce you to a lawyer who tracks the case from day one.

Protect your case

  1. Call the police and get a copy of the crash report, including the driver's information if they stayed at the scene.
  2. If it was a hit-and-run, note the vehicle's color, make, and any part of the license plate. Ask nearby businesses if they have camera footage, and ask that it be saved.
  3. Photograph the scene, the vehicle if visible, and your injuries.
  4. Get names and contact information for any witnesses.
  5. Warning: don't wait! Your filing deadline is a trap, and waiting too long can end your claim. Find your state on our state pages now.
  6. Talk to an advocate at WeHelpInjured. It is free.

Never do these

What we can help with

We help you understand what happened and your rights, in plain language. We explain state benefits, victim compensation funds, and support programs you may qualify for, and we connect you with a lawyer who handles cases like yours. All of it is free to you.

Talk to an advocate. Start the form or open the chat.

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