Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Martinsburg

Legal Help After Being Hit While Walking in Martinsburg

When a vehicle strikes a person on foot, the pedestrian almost always suffers the most serious harm. If you were hit while walking in Martinsburg, you may now be facing medical treatment, missed time from work, and constant contact from insurance adjusters. At Britt-Reed Law Offices, we represent injured pedestrians and their families, and we work to shoulder the legal burden so you do not have to face this situation alone.

Since 2004, we’ve fought for injury victims. Schedule your free West Virginia consultation today.

Why Injured Pedestrians Turn to Our Firm After a Crash

After a pedestrian crash, many people feel overwhelmed and unsure who to trust. We built our practice around representing injured people, not insurance companies, so our only interest is in helping you move forward. That focus means we spend our time confronting insurers and negligent parties on behalf of clients who are trying to heal.

Since 2004, our attorneys have guided thousands of injured clients through the claims process. Our 25 years of combined experience help us understand how insurers evaluate claims, what evidence often makes a difference, and how to explain your story clearly. For someone who has never dealt with a serious injury claim before, this experience can provide a sense of direction during a difficult time.

Cost is often a major concern after a serious pedestrian injury. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means our legal fees come from funds we obtain for you, and only if there is a financial recovery. We also offer free initial consultations and flexible scheduling. We know that doctor appointments, rehabilitation, and transportation challenges can make it hard to meet during regular office hours, so we work to arrange times that fit your routine.

Our firm serves injury victims in West Virginia and throughout the region, and we are familiar with how pedestrian crashes are handled by insurers here. When you contact us, our goal is to listen carefully, explain your options in plain language, and help you decide what makes sense for you and your family.

Pedestrian Accidents in Martinsburg: What Makes These Cases Different

Walking in a place like Martinsburg should not put your health at risk, yet pedestrians are vulnerable whenever drivers fail to pay attention. Unlike drivers who are protected by a vehicle’s frame and safety features, pedestrians have little to shield them from the force of a collision. Even a low-speed impact can cause serious injuries that change a person’s daily life.

In and around Martinsburg, pedestrian crashes can occur in downtown crosswalks, near schools, in residential neighborhoods, or along roads where there may be limited sidewalks or lighting. Intersections where drivers turn quickly, parking lots around shopping areas, and driveways with poor visibility can all create hazards for people on foot. When drivers are distracted, impatient, or impaired, the risk to pedestrians increases.

West Virginia law places duties on drivers to operate their vehicles with reasonable care, including yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks and obeying traffic signals. Pedestrians also have responsibilities, such as following signals and using crosswalks when they are available. When a crash happens, the details of who had the right of way and how each person acted can matter for an injury claim.

These cases are different from typical car collisions because the injuries are often more severe, and questions about visibility, speed, and reaction time can be central. Our role is to look closely at what happened on that particular stretch of road or intersection in Martinsburg, identify who may be responsible, and help you understand how the law applies to your situation.

Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident

In the moments and days after a pedestrian accident, it can be hard to know where to begin. Focusing on a few key steps can protect your health and your legal rights.

Prioritize your safety and medical care:

• Seek emergency care right away if you are seriously hurt, and accept transport by ambulance if recommended.
• Even if you feel you can walk, schedule a prompt medical evaluation, since some injuries, including head and internal injuries, are not obvious at first.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions, attend follow-up visits, and keep copies of discharge papers and treatment records.

Report the crash and document what you can:

• Call 911 so law enforcement can respond and prepare an accident report, which can be important evidence for an insurance claim in West Virginia.
• If you are able, get the driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details, and note the make, model, and license plate of the vehicle.
• Take photos of the scene, your injuries, the vehicle, traffic signals, and anything else that seems relevant, or ask someone you trust to do so.
• Collect contact information for any witnesses who saw the collision or its aftermath.

Be cautious in your conversations:

• When speaking with police, describe what happened as clearly as you can, but avoid guessing about speed or distances if you are not sure.
• If an insurance adjuster contacts you, be careful about providing recorded statements or signing broad medical releases before speaking with an attorney.
• Avoid posting about the accident or your injuries on social media, since insurers sometimes review those posts.

Reach out for legal guidance:

• Consider contacting our firm as soon as possible for a free consultation, especially while evidence and memories are still fresh.
• We can review the accident report, answer questions about coverage and fault, and explain what steps may come next if you decide to pursue a claim.

Taking these steps can feel like a lot when you are in pain or trying to care for a family member. We work to simplify the legal side, so you can focus your energy on recovery and daily life.

Common Causes & Injuries in Pedestrian Collision Cases

Understanding how pedestrian crashes happen can help explain why your injuries may be affecting you so deeply. Many collisions share similar causes, even though every incident is unique.

Frequent causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Distracted driving: Drivers who are looking at phones, navigation screens, or other distractions may fail to see a person in a crosswalk or along the roadway.
• Speeding and failing to yield: A driver who is in a hurry may not slow down at intersections in Martinsburg, may run a red light, or may roll through a stop sign.
• Impaired driving: Alcohol or drug use can reduce reaction time and judgment, increasing the risk that a driver will strike someone walking.
• Poor visibility and backing up: Crashes can occur when vehicles back out of driveways or parking spaces without checking blind spots, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic.
• Left turns and turning conflicts: Drivers who focus on other vehicles may turn across a crosswalk without checking for pedestrians.

Common injuries in pedestrian crashes:

• Broken bones and orthopedic injuries: Arms, legs, ribs, and hips are often injured when a pedestrian is knocked to the ground or struck directly.
• Head and brain injuries: Concussions and more serious traumatic brain injuries can result from a direct impact or from a fall to the pavement.
• Neck, back, and spinal injuries: Whiplash-type injuries, herniated discs, and, in severe cases, spinal cord damage can affect mobility and long-term comfort.
• Soft tissue and internal injuries: Bruising, organ damage, and other internal trauma may not be visible at first but can be very serious.

These injuries can lead to ongoing pain, rehabilitation, and changes in your ability to work or care for your family. Through the thousands of injury cases we have handled, we have seen how important it is to consider not only immediate medical bills but also future treatment, lost income, and the impact on your daily life when pursuing compensation.

Liability, Insurance & Your Rights After Being Hit While Walking

Many pedestrians who contact us are worried that they might be blamed for the crash or that insurance will not cover what they are going through. Understanding how liability and insurance typically work in West Virginia can ease some of that uncertainty.

In a typical case, the driver’s auto liability insurance is a primary source of coverage for a pedestrian’s injuries if the driver was negligent. Depending on the facts, other parties may also share responsibility, such as an employer if the driver was working, or another driver who contributed to the collision. Our role is to investigate what happened, review the accident report and other evidence, and identify all potentially responsible parties.

West Virginia follows comparative fault rules, which means that more than one person can share responsibility for an accident. If a pedestrian is found to be partly at fault, that may affect the amount of compensation, but it does not necessarily prevent a recovery. These determinations are often complex and are based on detailed facts, so it can be risky to assume you have no claim without speaking with an attorney.

Insurance companies generally look for ways to minimize what they pay on claims. Adjusters may question your account of the crash, suggest that you were not paying attention, or downplay the seriousness of your injuries. At Britt-Reed Law Offices, we confront insurance companies on our clients’ behalf. We handle communications with adjusters once we are retained, request the records we need, and work to present a clear picture of how the crash has affected you.

Every case is different, and no result can be promised, but understanding your rights and the available coverage is an important first step. Our goal is to give you clear information so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.

How Our Attorneys Support You Through the Claim Process

When you reach out to us after a pedestrian accident, you may be unsure what working with a law firm will involve. We work to make the process as straightforward and supportive as possible, so you can focus on your health.

The process often begins with a free consultation. During this meeting or call, we listen to what happened, review any documents you have, and answer your initial questions. If we believe we can assist you, we explain the contingency fee arrangement and what you can expect from us if you decide to move forward.

Once we are retained, we typically gather records and information related to the crash and your injuries. This can include accident reports, medical records, photographs, and witness information. Drawing on experience from thousands of injury cases, we evaluate the evidence to understand how the crash occurred and how your injuries may affect your life over time.

Throughout your claim, we communicate with insurance companies for you. Our attorneys and staff keep you updated, respond to your questions, and work to schedule calls or meetings around your medical appointments and daily responsibilities. We know that recovering from a pedestrian injury can be demanding, so our goal is to handle the legal details while you concentrate on treatment and family.

Most claims resolve through negotiation, although some may require filing a lawsuit. If litigation becomes necessary, we discuss what that may involve and what role you might play, such as attending a deposition or a hearing in a West Virginia court. At every stage, we aim to provide clear explanations so you are not left wondering what comes next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a Lawyer If a Car Hit Me While I Was Walking?

You are not required to hire a lawyer, but having legal representation can be very helpful after a pedestrian crash. These cases often involve serious injuries, questions about fault, and insurance companies that work to limit what they pay. Our attorneys can review the facts, explain your rights, and handle communication with insurers so you are not doing this on your own.

We have represented many injured people since 2004, and we have seen that early guidance often helps protect important evidence and claim value. During a free consultation, we can talk through your situation and help you decide whether hiring counsel makes sense for you.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Your Firm for a Pedestrian Accident?

We represent injured pedestrians on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay legal fees up front, and our fees are collected from funds recovered at the end of the case if there is a financial recovery. If there is no financial recovery, you do not owe legal fees for our time.

Your initial consultation is free, so you can speak with our team, ask questions, and learn about your options without additional financial pressure. During that conversation, we discuss how the contingency fee works in more detail, so you know what to expect before you make any decisions.

What If I Was Crossing Outside a Crosswalk When I Was Hit?

Being outside a crosswalk does not automatically prevent you from pursuing a claim. In West Virginia, more than one person can share responsibility for a crash, and the outcome often depends on the specific facts, such as visibility, lighting, speed, and how each person was acting.

Insurance companies may try to place all the blame on a pedestrian in this situation, even when a driver could have taken steps to avoid the collision. Our role is to look at the full picture, including driver behavior and roadway conditions in the area. During a free consultation, we can review what happened and discuss how comparative fault rules may apply to your case.

How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Injury Claim in West Virginia?

West Virginia law sets specific time limits for filing most personal injury lawsuits, and these limits usually start running on the date of the accident. The exact deadline can vary based on the type of claim and the circumstances, and courts typically enforce these time limits closely.

Because of this, it is usually wise to speak with an attorney as soon as you can after a pedestrian accident in Martinsburg or elsewhere in West Virginia. Early contact gives us more opportunity to gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and advise you about deadlines that may apply.

What Should I Bring to My First Meeting With Your Attorneys?

If you are able, it can be helpful to bring any documents or information related to the crash and your injuries. This may include the accident report, contact or insurance information for the driver, photographs, medical records or discharge papers, and correspondence from insurance companies.

That said, we understand that many people contact us before they have gathered everything. If you do not have certain items yet, we can often help you obtain them. The most important thing is to reach out so we can start answering your questions and guiding you through the next steps.

Will You Deal With the Insurance Company for Me?

Yes. Once you hire us to represent you, we communicate with insurance companies on your behalf about your injury claim. This includes adjusters for the driver and, when relevant, any other insurers involved.

Our mission is to confront insurance companies for our clients so they are not left to manage those conversations alone. We review requests for information, help you understand what is being asked, and work to protect you from statements or agreements that might undercut your claim. This allows you to focus on your medical care and daily life while we address the claim process.

How Long Does a Pedestrian Accident Case Usually Take?

The time it takes to resolve a pedestrian accident case can vary. Factors often include how severe your injuries are, how long your medical treatment lasts, the complexity of the facts, and how willing the insurance company is to discuss a fair resolution.

Some claims resolve in a matter of months, while others take longer, particularly if a lawsuit is filed in a West Virginia court. Throughout the process, we work to keep you updated on developments and to explain what step is coming next. Our goal is to move your case forward while still giving your medical providers time to understand your injuries and future needs.

Talk With a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer IN Martinsburg Today

If you or a loved one was hit while walking in Martinsburg or the surrounding area, you do not have to navigate the insurance and legal process alone. Speaking with our team can help you understand your options, protect your rights, and take some of the weight off your shoulders during a challenging time.

At Britt-Reed Law Offices, we have been representing injured people since 2004, and our attorneys bring 25 years of combined experience to injury claims, including pedestrian crashes. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay legal fees unless there is a financial recovery. We also offer flexible scheduling to help fit around your medical care and daily responsibilities.

Make an informed move. Book your free consultation with our injury-only firm or call us at (301) 905-9901 now. No fee unless there’s a recovery.