Being hit by a vehicle while walking in Aurora can have devastating physical, emotional, and financial effects. An Aurora pedestrian accident attorney is there to support you during this difficult time, fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve. These legal experts know the ins and outs of pedestrian accident cases and how to hold careless drivers responsible.
The need for skilled Aurora Personal Injury Lawyers has never been more critical. Between 2009 and 2019, Colorado saw a shocking 55% increase in pedestrian deaths, a trend that needs urgent attention. Aurora has its own specific challenges, with heavy traffic between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM making it especially dangerous for pedestrians. Hit-and-run accidents account for 25.5% of all pedestrian crashes in the city, with 56% resulting in injuries.
You don’t have to go through the aftermath of a pedestrian accident by yourself. Having legal support can make a significant difference between struggling with growing medical bills and getting complete compensation for your injuries.
Understanding Pedestrian Accidents in Aurora
The pedestrian accident statistics Aurora reveals a troubling trend that demands immediate attention. Between 2009 and 2019, Colorado witnessed a staggering 55% increase in pedestrian deaths, with Aurora contributing significantly to these numbers. Hit and run accidents represent 25.5% of all pedestrian crashes in the city, carrying a 56% injury rate that underscores the severity of these incidents.
When and How Pedestrian Accidents Occur
The types of pedestrian crashes Aurora experiences follow distinct patterns that can help you understand your risk exposure. The data shows:
- 61% of accidents happen when motorists drive straight through intersections or roadways
- 28% occur during right-turn maneuvers, often when drivers fail to check crosswalks
- 12% involve left-turning vehicles, typically at intersections where visibility is compromised
Rush hour between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM marks the most dangerous time for pedestrians in Aurora. During these two hours, the combination of increased traffic volume, driver fatigue, and hurried commuters creates a perfect storm for accidents.
The Physical Toll on Victims
Common pedestrian injuries Aurora accident victims face range from temporary to permanently life-altering. You might sustain:
Traumatic brain injuries that affect cognitive function and memory
Amputations requiring prosthetics and extensive rehabilitation
Spinal cord injuries leading to partial or complete paralysis
Burns from vehicle contact or road friction
Fractures in multiple bones, particularly legs, hips, and ribs
Whiplash causing chronic neck and back pain
Scarring and disfigurement with lasting psychological impacts
Vehicle type plays a critical role in injury severity. SUVs and pickup trucks account for 66-67% of injury rates in Aurora pedestrian accidents, as their higher front-end profiles strike pedestrians at more vulnerable body points.
Causes and Contributing Factors to Pedestrian Accidents in Aurora
Understanding the causes of pedestrian accidents in Aurora helps you identify who bears responsibility for your injuries. Driver behavior plays the most significant role in these crashes, with specific patterns emerging from accident data.
1. Distracted Driving: The Leading Threat
Distracted driving pedestrian accidents dominate Aurora’s crash statistics. Drivers who use their phones while behind the wheel create dangerous conditions for pedestrians crossing streets or walking near roadways. You’ll find that eating, drinking, adjusting GPS systems, or reaching for objects inside vehicles all pull a driver’s attention away from the road at critical moments. When a driver’s eyes leave the road for just three seconds at 30 mph, their vehicle travels the length of a football field; plenty of distance to strike a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
2. Aggressive Driving Behaviors
Aggressive driving accidents reported in Aurora include speeding through residential areas, failing to yield at crosswalks, and tailgating other vehicles. These behaviors reduce a driver’s reaction time when pedestrians enter their path. Speeding drivers often misjudge stopping distances, while those who fail to yield at intersections ignore pedestrian right-of-way laws designed to protect you.
3. Driver Inexperience and Vehicle Type
Inexperienced drivers frequently make traffic signal errors, misinterpreting when to proceed through intersections or failing to check for pedestrians before turning. The vehicle type matters significantly for injury severity; SUVs and pickups have a 66-67% injury rate in Aurora pedestrian accidents. These larger vehicles sit higher off the ground, striking pedestrians at chest or head level rather than the legs, resulting in more catastrophic injuries.
4. Infrastructure and Design Issues
Crosswalk location, design, and electronic systems can contribute to accidents. Engineering firms or governmental agencies may share liability when poor road design, inadequate lighting, or malfunctioning pedestrian signals create hazardous conditions for those crossing streets.
Legal Framework for Pedestrian Accident Cases in Colorado
Proving negligence in pedestrian accidents requires establishing four critical elements: duty of care, breach of that duty, causation, and damages. Drivers in Aurora must follow traffic laws, yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and maintain reasonable vigilance. When a driver fails to meet these obligations whether through distracted driving, speeding, or ignoring traffic signals, they breach their duty of care.
You can hold multiple parties accountable beyond just the driver. Crosswalk problems liability extends to engineering firms that designed faulty pedestrian infrastructure or government agencies responsible for maintaining safe crossing conditions. Defective crosswalk electronics, poor lighting, inadequate signage, or dangerous intersection design can all contribute to accidents. An Aurora Pedestrian Accident Attorney investigates these infrastructure issues to identify all liable parties.
Colorado operates under comparative fault laws, which means you can still recover damages even if you share some responsibility for the accident. The key threshold: your fault must be less than the driver’s fault. If you’re found 30% at fault and the driver 70% at fault, you can still claim 70% of your total damages.
The burden of proof falls on you as the injured pedestrian. You need concrete evidence showing:
- The driver violated traffic laws or failed to exercise reasonable care
- This violation directly caused your injuries
- You suffered quantifiable damages as a result
- Any third-party negligence (defective crosswalk design, poor road maintenance)
Documentation becomes your strongest weapon in establishing liability and securing the compensation you deserve.
Types of Compensation Available After a Pedestrian Accident
When you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident in Aurora, understanding the full scope of compensation available to you becomes critical for your financial recovery. The law recognizes two primary categories of damages that you can pursue.
1. Economic Damages
Economic damages encompass all quantifiable financial losses you’ve suffered. These include:
Medical expenses – Both current bills and future medical costs, from emergency room visits to ongoing treatment
Rehabilitation costs – Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and specialized care needed for your recovery
Lost wages – Income you’ve missed while recovering from your injuries
Future earnings potential – Compensation for reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous work
Childcare and in-home care expenses – Costs for assistance you need during recovery
Transportation and medical equipment – Expenses for mobility aids, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, or specialized equipment
2. Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the intangible losses that don’t come with receipts but significantly impact your quality of life. You can seek compensation for:
- Pain and suffering from your injuries
- Emotional distress, depression, and PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life and activities you once loved
- Scarring and permanent disfigurement
- Long-term disability affecting your daily life
- Loss of consortium affecting your relationships
In cases involving particularly reckless behavior, you may also pursue punitive damages designed to punish the at-fault party and deter similar conduct.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident in Aurora
The moments following a pedestrian accident can feel overwhelming, but taking specific actions protects both your health and legal rights. Calling 911 after an accident ensures that police arrive at the scene and create an official report. This documentation becomes critical evidence when building your case. Request medical attention even if you feel fine, adrenaline often masks serious injuries that manifest hours or days later.
While waiting for emergency responders, focus on what to do after a pedestrian accident by gathering crucial evidence:
Obtain driver information: Collect the motorist’s name, contact details, insurance information, license plate number, and driver’s license number
Document the scene: Take photos and videos of the accident location, including crosswalk conditions, traffic signals, road markings, and any visible vehicle damage
Capture your injuries: Photograph all visible injuries immediately and in the following days as bruising and swelling develop
Identify witnesses: Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the accident occur
When speaking with police officers, provide factual information about what happened without admitting fault or speculating about causes. Keep all medical bills, treatment records, and any evidence related to the accident in a secure location. These documents form the foundation of your compensation claim and help your attorney demonstrate the full extent of damages you’ve suffered.
How an Experienced Lawyer Can Help You Navigate Your Case Successfully
An Aurora Pedestrian Accident Attorney brings specialized knowledge to your case that you simply can’t replicate on your own. These legal professionals understand the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts; from delaying claims to disputing injury severity. When you’re recovering from traumatic brain injuries, fractures, or spinal cord damage, you need someone who can handle aggressive insurance adjusters while you focus on healing.
Understanding the True Value of Your Claim
Experienced attorneys know how to calculate the true value of your claim. They account for future medical expenses, long-term rehabilitation needs, and lost earning capacity that insurance companies often overlook. They also understand Colorado’s comparative fault laws, which means they can build a case even when you share partial responsibility for the accident.
No Financial Risk with Free Consultations
Most firms offer a free consultation that residents can access without financial risk. During this meeting, you’ll learn about your legal options, potential compensation amounts, and whether your case has merit. These attorneys work on contingency fees, you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you.
Handling Complex Negotiations
They handle negotiations with multiple parties, from drivers to engineering firms responsible for dangerous crosswalk designs.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Aurora, CO
Free Consultations
Pedestrian accidents have a profound impact on victims and their families, causing physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens that can be overwhelming. But you don’t have to go through this difficult time alone.
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident that was someone else’s fault, contact our Aurora pedestrian accident attorneys as soon as possible.
With a combination of a proven track record, impressive financial resources, esteemed legal reputation and a compassionate approach, we believe there is no better team than Denver Personal Injury Lawyers® to get you the money you deserve.
