Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Reading, PA
When a driver hits someone on foot, the injuries are immediate, and the financial pressure follows fast. Medical bills start piling up before discharge. Insurance adjusters call before the victim fully understands what happened. At Liever, Hyman & Potter, we've represented wrongful injury victims in Reading, PA, since 1959, making us the longest-established motor vehicle injury law firm in the area. Our four attorneys handle only wrongful injury and death claims. Virtually all of our 115-plus combined years in practice have been devoted to that single purpose, including pedestrian accident cases caused by negligent drivers.
If you or a family member was struck by a vehicle, call us at (610) 885-1991 for a free consultation. You pay no fees, and we advance all case expenses unless and until we recover money for you.
Why Reading Pedestrian Accident Victims Choose Our Firm
Lead attorney John R. Badal has devoted his entire legal career to representing wrongful injury victims. Admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1978 and to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991, Badal holds membership in both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, national recognitions tied to documented case results at those dollar thresholds. He has also served as Chairman of both the Civil Litigation Section and the Workers' Compensation Section of the Berks County Bar Association.
Within the legal community, our firm is known as "The Lawyers' Lawyers." A significant portion of our clients come to us through referrals from other law firms, satisfied former clients, and community members who know our record. That referral base reflects how attorneys who handle other areas of law view our work in wrongful injury cases. Every case we accept is reviewed and assigned to a Civil Trial attorney qualified to handle it.
Our results support that reputation. In a recent three-year period, our attorneys recovered more than 500 awards and settlements, including numerous million-dollar and multi-million-dollar results. Since 1959, we've won thousands of recoveries for victims and their families, more than any other firm located in the Berks and Schuylkill County area. Documented results include a $3.5 million trucking crash settlement, a $3.265 million drunk-driving wrongful death settlement, and a $6.5 million settlement for a teenage client who suffered a brain bleed resulting in hemiplegia. Past results don't guarantee future outcomes.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Most pedestrian accident claims rest on driver negligence. Under Pennsylvania law (PA Title 75 §3542), when traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation, drivers must yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. When a driver fails that duty, the legal basis for a claim can exist. Reading's high-traffic corridors and busy intersections increase the daily exposure pedestrians face throughout the city.
The most frequently cited causes of pedestrian strikes include:
- Distracted driving and phone use
- Impaired driving that reduces reaction time
- Excessive speed, which worsens injury severity
- Failure to yield at intersections, turns, or driveway exits
Injuries & Compensation in Pedestrian Claims
Pedestrians have no vehicle frame or safety system between them and the point of impact. Strikes by motor vehicles frequently cause traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, pelvic fractures, internal injuries, and broken bones, often requiring extended rehabilitation and, in the most serious cases, permanent disability and loss of earning capacity.
Pennsylvania personal injury law allows injured pedestrians to pursue compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and, where a pedestrian fatality occurs, wrongful death damages for surviving family members. The value of a specific claim depends on injury severity, total medical costs, how the injury affects the victim's daily life and work, and applicable insurance coverage.
Deadlines, Fault, & Hit-and-Run Claims
Pennsylvania's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of injury. Missing that deadline can bar recovery entirely, which is one reason contacting an attorney promptly matters.
Two issues come up frequently in pedestrian cases. First, shared fault: Pennsylvania applies a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning a pedestrian who bears some responsibility for an accident can still recover damages, provided their share of fault is below 51 percent. Recovery is reduced in proportion to fault, but it isn't eliminated by partial responsibility. Second, hit-and-run situations: when the driver who caused the accident flees and cannot be identified, the victim may be able to pursue compensation through their own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage under Pennsylvania insurance law. An attorney can assess what coverage applies to the specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Attorney?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe no attorney fees, and we advance all case expenses unless and until we recover money for you. This applies to every client and every case we take.
Can I Still File a Claim If the Driver Ran From the Scene?
Possibly. When the driver who hit you can't be identified, your own uninsured motorist coverage may provide a path to compensation. The specific coverage available depends on your insurance policy and the facts of the accident. We can evaluate both during a free consultation.
What If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
You may still have a claim. Under Pennsylvania's comparative negligence rule, partial fault reduces your recovery but doesn't eliminate it, as long as your share of fault is below 51 percent. Even if you crossed outside a crosswalk or contributed to the situation, it's worth having an attorney assess how the rule applies to your specific case.
How Soon After a Pedestrian Accident in Reading Should I Contact a Lawyer?
As soon as you're able. Surveillance footage gets overwritten, witnesses' recollections fade, and accident scene conditions change. Acting promptly gives our team the opportunity to gather evidence before it's gone and well before the two-year filing deadline closes your options.
Start with a Free Consultation
You don't need to figure out your legal options alone while managing medical appointments and insurance calls. We review every potential case at no cost and tell you honestly what we think. If we take your case, we advance all case expenses and collect no fees until we recover money for you, regardless of case size.
To speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Reading, call (610) 885-1991. We're ready to talk with you about your options.
What Our Clients Say
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Working with Liever, Hyman & Potter Law Firm was an excellent experience from start to finish.Christie
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Andrew Fick and his team helped me with everything I needed in pursuing a personal injury case.Carlos A.
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I would highly recommend Liever, Hyman & Potter.Vanessa S.
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Andy Fick and his Liever, Hyman & Potter team fought hard for me.David D.
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He is a well-spoken and passionate attorney who actually cares about his clients.jeffrey r.
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He has always been responsive and professional, taking the time to review my issues.Howard J.
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Not only are the attorneys at this firm dedicated in obtaining successful results, more importantly, they also care about the personal well-being and health of their clients.Kevin B.
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Attorney John Badal represented me and did an outstanding job. The firm is very honest and upfront and does not blow smoke.Roxanne M.
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John went above and beyond to help me.Sean B.
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Between Stacey (paralegal) and Mike, they kept me up to date with emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings; making the entire process seamless.Blayne H.
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Andy gets the job done; he went above and beyond, exceeding my expectations.Nancy K.
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Everyone was thorough, professional, and supportive.Wendy B.
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My friend was impressed by the firm's compassion and genuine concern for his son's well-being.SARA P.
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The professionals of Liever, Hyman & Potter have a robust team of professionals who vigorously and diligently advocate.Adam N.
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Contacted me back very quickly, very professional.P N.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?
The legal world is a complicated environment with countless nuances to take into account. As a result, there is a wide range of specialized attorneys dedicated to specific legal areas, such as criminal lawyers who handle criminal defense. With so many fields, it can be difficult to determine which kind of lawyer is best suited for your circumstances. If you call Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C. and offer an overview of your situation, then they can help narrow down what kind of personal injury lawyer is best suited to handle your case. Our law firm was founded in 1959 and is knowledgeable in numerous areas of personal injury law.
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Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
After sustaining a severe injury, you will need to pay medical bills for treatment, potentially miss time at work, and experience pain and suffering. With a qualified and skilled lawyer’s assistance, it is possible for you to receive fair and full compensation for these damages. A knowledgeable attorney will increase your chances of reaching an acceptable settlement agreement and receiving more compensation than you would on your own. Additionally, personal injury lawyers can help settle a liability dispute to determine who is responsible for an accident.
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How Will I Know I Have a Case?
No one has to make this important decision by themselves. Contact Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., and set up a free consultation to go over your situation in detail. Our attorneys will be able to identify who you can sue and what you can expect to gain based on the facts of the accident and the laws in Pennsylvania. In most scenarios, you’ll have a case if it can be proven that someone acted carelessly and caused injuries. Applying this standard is more complex than it may initially appear, which is why it is important to consult us.
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When to Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
If you’ve sustained severe injuries in a car accident, you should reach out to a lawyer shortly after the crash takes place. Not only will a professional car accident attorney help you gather vital evidence before it is lost to help your case, but they can also handle communications with your insurance company and deal with the careless driver’s insurance company.
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What Should I Do if an Attorney or Insurance Adjuster Calls Me?
You should never speak with insurance adjusters for someone else involved in the accident. While they may sound friendly and sympathetic to your case, they are almost certainly trying to get statements from you that would reduce or eliminate the liability of their insured. This is also true when an attorney for another person contacts you.
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How to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
As previously mentioned, filing a medical malpractice lawsuit starts with contacting a lawyer. However, it is crucial that we have sufficient information before filing the claim because malpractice claims can be significantly more complicated than other lawsuits. Our dedicated attorneys will collect all of your medical records and thoroughly review them.
Your medical malpractice attorney must determine whether the case warrants a lawsuit before they file with the court. If we do go forward, we will rely on highly qualified doctors who will be able to explain why you or your loved one were wrongfully harmed by medical treatment.