Springfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Walking is one of the simplest and healthiest ways to move around, yet for too many Springfield residents and visitors, a routine stroll turns tragic when a careless motorist fails to yield. If you or a loved one has been struck by a vehicle, you deserve more than sympathy; you deserve a relentless legal team that knows how to secure maximum compensation in Springfield personal injury cases. Our pedestrian accident lawyers have been fighting for injured pedestrians throughout the Commonwealth for over two decades, and our results speak for themselves.

Below is a comprehensive guide to pedestrian accident claims in Springfield. It covers the legal framework, the tactics insurers use to minimize payouts, and the concrete steps you can take today to protect your rights. Feel free to share it with family and friends; the information could make all the difference when seconds count.

• Downtown density and traffic flow: The intersection of I-91, State Street, and Main Street funnels thousands of vehicles past busy crosswalks daily, heightening crash risks during rush hour.
• College population: Students from Springfield College, American International College, and nearby universities often commute on foot, resulting in increased pedestrian volumes, especially at night and on weekends.
• Tourist destinations: Attractions like the Basketball Hall of Fame draw out-of-town drivers unfamiliar with local road patterns, contributing to abrupt stops and illegal turns.
• Weather extremes: Harsh New England winters reduce visibility and create icy road surfaces, while summer congestion after Tanglewood or Six Flags events lengthens travel times and fuels driver impatience.
• Disproportionate impact on vulnerable residents: Children walking to school and older adults crossing reduced-speed zones suffer the most severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and fatal internal bleeding.

• Failure to yield at marked and unmarked crosswalks
• Left-turn collisions, where drivers focus on oncoming traffic and miss a person stepping off the curb
• Right-turn "sneak" crashes occur when a vehicle rolls through a red light before completing a full stop
• Distracted driving, texting, GPS input, and dynamic messaging apps
• Drunk or drug-impaired driving(including opioids and certain prescription medications)
• Speeding in residential areas and school zones
• Poorly maintained roads leading to obscured signage or faded crosswalk paint
• Low-light conditions without proper street lighting or reflective roadway markers

Under Mass. Gen.. Laws ch. 89, § 11, vehicles must yield to pedestrians who have stepped into a crosswalk on the driver's side when traffic signals are absent or not in operation. Violations incur fines and surcharges that can increase insurance premiums.

• Crosswalk Priority: Even if a crossing is unmarked, drivers must exercise "due care" whenever a pedestrian is reasonably visible.
• School Zone Protections: Speed limits drop to 20 mph during posted hours; citations for exceeding the limit can be used to prove negligence.
• Enhanced Penalties for OUI: A driver convicted of operating under the influence and causing serious bodily injury faces felony charges and civil liability for punitive damages.
• Pedestrian "Right of Way" vs. "Right of Passage": Pedestrians must also obey WALK/DON'T WALK signals. Violation does not automatically bar recovery, but can reduce compensation under comparative fault rules.

• Call 911: Request police and EMTs, even if injuries seem minor; internal trauma may not manifest until hours later.
• Accept medical transport where recommended to create a documented link between the crash and your injuries.
• Gather evidence:
  • Photographs of the scene, skid marks, traffic signals, and weather conditions.
  • Names and phone numbers of witnesses.
  • Driver information – license, registration, and insurance policy number.
• Avoid discussing fault at the scene or on social media; seemingly harmless comments can be twisted by insurers.
• Contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers as soon as you are medically stable. Early legal intervention preserves surveillance footage and data from the vehicle's Event Data Recorder (EDR) before it is lost or overwritten.

Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers deploys a proactive, evidence-driven approach:

• Rapid scene inspection within hours, using accident reconstruction experts to map vehicle speeds and impact angles.
• Subpoenas for dash-cam and city traffic-cam footage along Main, Dwight, and State Streets.
• EDR downloads to verify braking patterns and throttle position seconds before impact.
• In-house nurses and consulting physicians review medical records to connect every orthopedic, neurological, or psychological injury to the collision.
• Economic analysis calculates hard costs (such as hospital bills, future surgeries, and vocational rehabilitation) and intangible harms (including pain and loss of companionship).
• Negotiation strategy built on a meticulously documented demand package that leaves insurers little room to dispute liability or damages.

Massachusetts follows a fault-based system for bodily injury claims. Victims may pursue compensation for:

• Medical expenses: emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, assistive devices, pharmaceuticals, and anticipated future treatments.
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity if injuries impede your ability to work or advance in your career.
• Pain and suffering cover physical agony, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
• Scarring and disfigurement: particularly relevant when facial injuries or limb loss occur.
• Loss of consortium for spouses and, in some cases, dependent children.
• Wrongful death damages: funeral costs, loss of expected earnings, and non-economic losses suffered by surviving relatives when pedestrian injuries prove fatal.

• Never provide a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurer without counsel present.
• Beware of premature settlement offers before you finish medical treatment; accepting early can bar you from future recovery.
• Understand PIP limitations: Massachusetts Personal Injury Protection covers up to $8,000 for medical bills and lost wages, but only if you exhaust your health insurance first and meet statutory thresholds.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) claims: Your auto policy may provide coverage if the other driver lacks adequate coverage.
• Subrogation pitfalls: Health insurers and government programs (Medicare/Medicaid) may seek reimbursement from your settlement; our attorneys negotiate to reduce these liens.

• General deadline: Three years from the accident date (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A).
• Tort Claims Act notice: If a municipal vehicle or defective sidewalk is involved, you must file written notice with the city or state agency within 30 days of the incident.
• Minor tolling: Victims under 18 have until three years after their 18th birthday, but evidence can degrade quickly, so prompt action remains critical.

Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If a jury finds you 50 percent or less at fault, your damages are reduced by that percentage. Exceed 50 percent, and recovery is barred.

• Example: A driver is texting and traveling 10 mph over the limit, but you cross mid-block outside a crosswalk. The jury assigns 20 percent fault to you and awards $500,000. Your net recovery would be $400,000.

Q: "Should I hire a lawyer if my injuries are minor?"
Even a seemingly "simple" fracture can lead to arthritis or nerve damage later. Consulting counsel ensures future complications are accounted for in any settlement.

Q: "How much does it cost to retain Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers?"
We operate on a contingency fee basis—there are no legal fees unless we secure compensation. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery plus case expenses advanced on your behalf.

Q: "What if the driver fled the scene?"
Hit-and-run cases are common. We collaborate with law enforcement, canvass local businesses for surveillance footage, and pursue UM benefits under your policy.

Q: "Can I still recover if I was jaywalking?"
Yes, as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. We argue for comparative negligence by demonstrating factors such as poor lighting or driver distraction.

Q: "How long will my case take?"
Minor injury claims may settle in months, but severe injury or wrongful death cases that require litigation can extend 18–24 months or longer. Our priority is securing full compensation, not a quick but inadequate payout.

• Localized knowledge: We understand Springfield's unique traffic patterns, from the "X" rotary in Forest Park to the railroad overpass at North End Bridge.
• Proven track record: Multi-million-dollar recoveries in pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile collision cases statewide.
• Compassionate service: Our field investigators can visit you at Baystate Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center, or your home.
• Cutting-edge resources, including drone mapping technology and 3D crash reconstruction software, strengthen negotiations and trial presentations.
• 24/7 availability: Call (413) 278-0645 day or night. A live person, not a voicemail, answers every call.
• There are no upfront fees. We bear the financial risk so you can focus on healing.

Every pedestrian accident story is unique, but each begins with a split-second decision that can shatter an innocent life. Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers is committed to ensuring the next chapter encompasses resilience, accountability, and rightful compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured while walking in Springfield, please call (413) 278-0645 or complete our secure online form to schedule a free consultation. Evidence fades and statutes run out. Act now to preserve your claim and peace of mind.

Springfield Office

1500 Main St, 8th floor
Springfield, MA 01115
Phone: (413) 278-0645