Green Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorney

The consequences of a pedestrian accident extend far beyond the physical. Such a traumatic event can upend your entire life, causing emotional distress and creating financial strain due to mounting medical bills and lost income. If you were hit by a motor vehicle in Green Bay, Wisconsin, you need and deserve a professional advocate who knows the complexities of the law and can fight for your rights.

This is what Schwaba Law Firm offers. Attorney Andrew Schwaba is proud to help victims of pedestrian accidents by vigorously pursuing the full and fair compensation they deserve. Andrew knows that, here in Wisconsin, substance counts more than sizzle. He’s proved his substance with the millions of dollars he’s recovered on behalf of injured Wisconsinites like you. Count on him to put this hard-won experience to work on your case – all without any upfront cost to you.

Don’t let a serious accident take away what matters most. Instead, contact Schwaba Law Firm and find out how a Green Bay pedestrian accident lawyer can help you pursue the money you need to plan for the future.

What Are the Wisconsin Pedestrian Laws?

Wisconsin’s Rules of the Road govern the following pedestrian-related traffic scenarios:

• Crossing Controlled Intersections or Crosswalks – Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing controlled intersections or crosswalks. Pedestrians must also yield to vehicles when they are proceeding straight through intersections on a green signal.
• Crossing at Uncontrolled Intersections or Crosswalks – Drivers must also yield to pedestrians lawfully crossing the road at uncontrolled intersections or crosswalks. However, pedestrians must not suddenly leave curbs or other places of safety and enter the paths of motorists too close to yield. Other motorists must not overtake and pass vehicles stopped at intersections to permit pedestrians to cross the road.
• Crossing at Places Other Than Crosswalks – Pedestrians crossing the road at any point other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway.
• Yielding to Blind Pedestrians – Drivers must stop before approaching closer than 10 feet to pedestrians carrying white canes or using service animals. The violation of any laws by the pedestrian doesn’t relieve the driver of this responsibility.
• Walking Along the Highway – Pedestrians traveling along highways and not on sidewalks must travel on the left side of the road and move to the extreme outer edge of the highway upon approaching any vehicle.
• Yielding to Pedestrians on Sidewalks – Drivers must yield to pedestrians and electric personal assistive mobility devices on sidewalks.
• Standing or Loitering on the Road – Pedestrians may not stand on roadways to solicit rides from motorists other than operators of public passenger vehicles. Pedestrians must not stand or loiter on roads in a way that interferes with traffic.

What Are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Green Bay?

Pedestrian accidents can occur anywhere people have to walk near motor vehicles, including crosswalks, intersections, parking lots, and even sidewalks. While the exact circumstances of each accident vary, several common factors contribute to the majority of collisions, such as:

• Distracted Driving – Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, fiddling with dashboard controls, or simply not paying attention can overlook and strike pedestrians.
• Speeding – Drivers who exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for conditions have less time to notice and stop for pedestrians in their path.
• Failure to Yield – Many accidents occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections.
• Negligent Left-Hand Turns – Motorists making left-hand turns at intersections often do not see pedestrians crossing the street because they are too focused on vehicular traffic.
• Impaired Driving – Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have slowed reaction times and impaired judgment, making them more likely to cause accidents.
• Backing-Up Accidents – Many pedestrians are hit by drivers who do not notice them when backing up, especially in parking lots, garages, and driveways.
• Ignoring Traffic Signals – Drivers who disregard red lights, stop signs, or crossing signals risk striking pedestrians who are crossing the road legally.
• Negligent Road Users on Shared-Use Paths – Accidents can happen on shared-use paths when inattentive bicyclists, rollerbladers, or runners collide with pedestrians.
• Reckless Driving – Motorists who engage in reckless driving behaviors like aggressive maneuvers, rapid acceleration, or abrupt lane changes are likelier to hit pedestrians.
• Vehicle Defects – Problems with a vehicle’s brakes, steering system, tires, or other mechanical systems could prevent a driver from avoiding an imminent collision with a pedestrian.
• Poor Road Design or Maintenance – Roads with insufficient lighting, a lack of pedestrian crosswalks or signs, or other unsafe conditions also contribute to accidents.

How Many Pedestrians Are Killed in Wisconsin Annually?

The following statistics shed light on the severity, timing, and location of pedestrian accidents in Wisconsin:

• Statewide, there were 36 fatal pedestrian crashes, and 864 pedestrian injury crashes in one recent year.
• Brown County, which includes all of Green Bay, saw no fatal pedestrian accidents that year. However, there were 46 pedestrian injury accidents countywide.
• According to the Highway Safety Clock, one Wisconsin pedestrian dies in a crash every seven hours.
• Wisconsin pedestrian accidents occur most frequently on weekdays, particularly between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., possibly because traffic spikes during these hours as children travel home from school and adults commute back from work.
• Most pedestrian accidents in Wisconsin occur on roadways or in crosswalks. Nearly 9 out of 10 happen in urban areas.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Pedestrian Accident in Green Bay?

Depending on the circumstances, any of the following could be responsible for a pedestrian accident in Green Bay:

• Drivers – Motorists are perhaps the most commonly liable party in pedestrian accident injury cases. Drivers could be at fault because they were distracted, were speeding, failed to yield, or were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Other Road Users – Drivers are not the only road users who hit pedestrians. Some accidents are caused by cyclists and scooter operators who fail to follow certain traffic laws, particularly yielding in intersections and staying off sidewalks.
• Vehicle Owners – If the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident does not own the vehicle in question, the vehicle’s owner could bear some liability, especially if they allowed an unlicensed, incompetent, or impaired individual to operate their vehicle.
• Manufacturers – The manufacturer of an unsafe component that contributed to a pedestrian accident could be responsible under product liability law.
• Government Entities – The government entity responsible for designing and maintaining the roadway could be at least partially at fault if unmarked crosswalks, poor lighting, or lack of signage or traffic controls were to blame.
• Property Owners – Private property owners could be responsible if an accident occurs due to hazards on their property, such as obstructed views or dangerous walkways.

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Green Bay Pedestrian Accident?

Depending on the extent of your injuries and related losses, you could be owed compensation for the following:

How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, you have three years from the date of an accident to sue any at-fault parties for the injuries or losses you suffered. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your pedestrian accident lawsuit, terminating your right to seek compensation at trial. However, certain exceptions to this rule could shorten or extend the three-year period. An experienced lawyer in Green Bay can review your pedestrian accident case to determine what time limits apply.

Benefits of Hiring a Green Bay Pedestrian Accident Law Firm

An experienced Green Bay pedestrian accident attorney is a critical ally in your quest for compensation. They can help you by:

• Evaluating your case, investigating the accident, analyzing the evidence they recover, and determining who is liable for your injuries
• Calculating the fair value of your pedestrian accident claim by considering all aspects of your losses, including medical bills, future treatment needs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering
• Handling communication with the at-fault party, insurance companies, other lawyers, and any other involved parties to protect you from mistakes that could harm your case
• Negotiating with insurance companies, fighting back against low settlement offers, and working to maximize your settlement
• Consulting with expert witnesses who can substantiate your claim, such as medical professionals, economists, and accident reconstruction specialists
• Preparing you and your case for trial and taking it to court if the other side won’t agree to a satisfactory settlement

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Green Bay Today

Schwaba Law Firm knows that no amount of money can erase the trauma of a pedestrian accident. However, fair compensation can ease your financial burdens and pave the way for your recovery. Let a pedestrian accident lawyer in Green Bay fight to get back what you’ve lost. Contact Andrew Schwaba today to get started with a free consultation.