Pennsylvania Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Tens of Millions Won by Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Central PA

At Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC, we have spent more than a century standing up for pedestrians and their families after serious accidents. Our firm has deep roots in Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Carlisle, Hanover, and Schuylkill County—and we know the traffic patterns, court systems, and local challenges that matter in these cases.

We use every legal option available to fight for maximum compensation, drawing on our proven record of millions recovered for injured clients. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Pennsylvania have earned honors such as 10.0 Superb Avvo ratings and listings in Best Lawyers®. We work on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis, delivering client-focused service backed by a long history of results.

Why Pedestrian Accident Claims Matter More Than Ever

A pedestrian has no protection from a vehicle, seatbelt, airbag, or helmet—making them the most vulnerable on the road. In 2022, pedestrian crashes made up just 2.8% of Pennsylvania's traffic accidents but accounted for 15.6% of all traffic deaths.

From busy intersections in downtown Harrisburg to historic districts in Lancaster and York, pedestrians rely on drivers to follow the law and pay attention. Yet a short walk can expose someone to very different hazards depending on the road type, lighting, and traffic volume.

Beyond the statistics, every pedestrian crash can upend lives—bringing medical bills, emotional trauma, and lost income. The sooner you contact a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer in Pennsylvania, the better your chances of preserving critical evidence and building a strong claim under our state's comparative negligence and insurance laws.

If you or a loved one was hit by a car anywhere in Central Pennsylvania, contact Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC immediately. We've helped thousands of clients recover since 1922, no matter how complex the case. Call (888) 498-3023 today. We have offices in Carlisle, Hanover, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Schuylkill County, and York.

Understanding Pennsylvania Right-of-Way Laws

In Pennsylvania, pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks and certain intersections, and drivers must yield—even in some cases when they technically have the right of way. We investigate local laws, signage, and traffic controls to prove who was at fault.

How the Pennsylvania Pedestrian Accident Claim Process Works

After getting medical care, your next steps are critical. You should:

• Take photos of the scene and your injuries
• Collect contact information for witnesses
• Obtain a police report (required in injury-related pedestrian accidents)

A pedestrian accident attorney in Pennsylvania can then guide you through the claims process, file required documents, and protect your rights when dealing with insurers.

How We Build Strong Cases for Pedestrian Accident Victims

At Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC, we:

• Launch immediate investigations with our in-house investigator
• Secure scene evidence and surveillance footage
• Consult traffic safety experts familiar with Pennsylvania's roads and laws
• Handle all communications with insurers and opposing parties

Our deep local knowledge helps us anticipate challenges to your recovery, work effectively with police, and secure the strongest possible foundation for your case.

Types of Compensation You May Recover

Pedestrian accident victims in Pennsylvania can recover:

• Economic damages: Medical bills, lost wages, rehab costs, assistive devices, future care needs, transportation modifications
• Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, reduced enjoyment of life

If a driver's conduct was reckless—such as drunk driving or extreme speeding—punitive damages may also be awarded. We work with medical and vocational experts to ensure your claim reflects the full scope of your losses.

Pedestrians Have a Right to Walk Without Fear

These physical, social, and economic benefits of walking are felt across Pennsylvania’s cities and towns. From Harrisburg Riverfront Park to the streets of Lancaster, pedestrian activity fuels local economies and brings residents together. Municipalities across Central Pennsylvania continue to invest in safer street designs and public awareness initiatives, promoting safer intersections for pedestrians in high-traffic districts.

As a low-impact activity, walking offers substantial physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages. It is a great way to enjoy Pennsylvania’s vibrant communities, neighborhood parks, and bustling town centers while staying active with friends and family.

The benefits of walking can include:

• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
• Weight loss
• Improved mood
• Lower transportation costs

But these benefits only matter if people can reasonably expect motorists to be safe and attentive. Whether you walk in mostly urban or rural areas, you are bound to encounter motorists, and their behavior and decisions can make walking dangerous. As a Pennsylvania pedestrian accident law firm, we believe that drivers must be held accountable for dangerous behavior that puts pedestrians at risk.

Despite increased safety efforts, the risks remain—especially in areas where drivers neglect traffic signals or exceed speed limits. Navigating a mix of busy roads, suburban neighborhoods, and rural crossings means pedestrians may face a variety of hazards, from high-speed vehicles to low-visibility intersections. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Pennsylvania protect your rights when a driver’s negligence shatters the safety you expect on local roadways.

Distracted Driving: A Growing Threat to Pennsylvania Pedestrians

Smartphone use behind the wheel is fueling a rise in pedestrian deaths. According to PennDOT, distracted driving is today's public safety crisis—much like drunk driving was decades ago. Distracted driving isn't limited to texting. It can include any activity that takes a driver's eyes, hands, or attention away from the road.

These include:

• Texting, scrolling social media, or reading emails while approaching a crosswalk
• Entering GPS directions in heavy traffic
• Eating or drinking instead of watching for pedestrians
• Adjusting music or podcasts while moving through intersections
• Talking to passengers and missing stop signs or crossing signals

Even a few seconds of inattention can be deadly. A driver looking at a phone for just 5 seconds while traveling 35 mph covers more than half a football field without watching the road—a distance long enough to miss a pedestrian entirely.

Hot spots for distracted driving crashes include:

• High-volume intersections in Harrisburg, such as Cameron Street and Market Street, where steady streams of vehicles meet heavy foot traffic from commuters and government offices.
• School zones in York, where morning and afternoon pick-up times bring congested streets, unpredictable pedestrian crossings, and drivers rushing between errands.
• Main corridors in Carlisle, including Hanover Street and High Street, where a mix of local businesses, delivery trucks, and pedestrian shoppers creates constant activity that demands driver attention.

This kind of inattention is one reason pedestrian fatalities are climbing in many Pennsylvania communities, despite increased enforcement and safety campaigns. If a distracted driver hits you, quick action matters. We work to secure phone records, camera footage, and eyewitness testimony to prove negligence and hold drivers accountable.

As exposed as they are in a traffic collision, pedestrians are particularly at risk when faced with distracted drivers. The issue of poor driving behavior is so prevalent that PennDOT has gone so far as to say:

“It's [called a] crash, not an accident. Driver behavior is the leading factor in 83% of the approximately 1,100 fatal crashes that occur annually on Pennsylvania roadways…These behaviors are choices…Choose to do the right thing because your choices are no accident." Read more.

Other Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

While distraction is a leading cause, other frequent factors include:

• Speeding
• Failing to yield at crosswalks
• Running stop signs or school bus signals
• Driving under the influence
• Poorly lit or unmarked crossings

We analyze all conditions—seasonal weather, road design, and visibility—to pinpoint the actual cause of your harm and prove liability.

Can a Pedestrian Be Partly at Fault?

Yes, but Pennsylvania's comparative negligence law still allows recovery if you are less than 51% at fault. Your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation.

Our attorneys work to minimize any fault assigned to you, using traffic footage, witness accounts, and accident reports to protect your right to compensation.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

It’s important to realize that a single injury—such as a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury—can have consequences that last a lifetime, sometimes preventing victims from returning to work or enjoying former activities. These injuries often require adaptive devices, home modifications, and ongoing medical care, highlighting why maximum financial recovery is essential in Pennsylvania pedestrian accident cases. Our goal is to document all facets of your loss—past, current, and future—so that no aspect of your hardship goes unaddressed in the legal process.

These cases often involve severe, life-changing harm, such as:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Severe lacerations

Victims often require months, if not years, of recovery and may be left with chronic pain, physical limitations, or permanent disability. In the worst cases, a pedestrian accident can end in wrongful death.

In Central Pennsylvania, our attorneys frequently handle cases involving complex fractures, brain injuries, and spinal cord damage—injuries that can lead to lifelong dependency on medical devices, in-home care, or occupational rehabilitation. We work closely with medical providers and care coordinators across the region to make certain our clients' future needs are fully anticipated and reflected in any claim.

Addressing the Full Impact of Severe Injuries

These injuries or the loss of a loved one in a pedestrian accident can have a tremendous impact on your life. As soon as possible, get a free consultation about your recovery options under the law. If the pedestrian accident injury could have been avoided, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement for your medical bills, your lost wages, any injury-related costs, and pain & suffering. If you waive your rights, you could end up robbing yourself of financial relief that you'll need in the future.

How Insurance Companies Undervalue Pedestrian Claims

Every dollar insurance companies pay on claims comes out of their bottom line. That means their primary goal is not to make you whole—it's to get you to accept as little money as possible. Adjusters are trained to look for ways to reduce what they owe, even when the facts are clear and your injuries are severe.

Common tactics include:

• Offering quick, low settlements — Insurers know you may be in pain, out of work, and worried about bills. A small payout now is far cheaper for them than paying the full cost of your long-term medical care and lost wages.
• Delaying payments — By dragging their feet, insurers hope you'll get desperate enough to accept less than you deserve.
• Downplaying injuries — They may argue your injuries aren't as bad as claimed or that you've recovered enough to return to work, ignoring your ongoing pain or limitations.
• Shifting blame to the pedestrian — Under Pennsylvania's comparative negligence law, reducing your fault percentage directly reduces their payout. Insurers will look for any excuse to assign part of the blame to you.

This is why it's risky to deal with an insurance company on your own. We take over all communications, gather the evidence they can't ignore, and push back on every attempt to undervalue your claim. Our job is to make sure they pay what the law says you're entitled to—not what's most convenient for their balance sheet.

Act Now—We're Here to Help

Pennsylvania gives you just two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Contact our pedestrian accident attorneys in Harrisburg, Carlisle, York, Schuylkill County, or any of our offices today. We'll meet you at home, in the hospital, or wherever it's most convenient to get your case moving.

Call (888) 498-3023 to speak with a pedestrian accident attorney in Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Pedestrian Accident FAQ