# Boston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer ## Boston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Hit in a Crosswalk or on a Sidewalk? We Can Help. [Free Consultation](https://attorneysheehan.com/contact-us) [Case Results](https://attorneysheehan.com/case-results) - Law office of John J. Sheehan - / - Auto Accidents - /boston-auto-accident-lawyer - Pedestrian Accident ## Wins for Our Clients [More Results](https://attorneysheehan.com/case-results) ## Types of Pedestrian Injury Claims We Accept in Boston The Law Office of John J. Sheehan handles pedestrian injury cases involving: - Drivers who fail to stop for people in marked crosswalks; - Turning vehicles that hit pedestrians at intersections; - Cars, trucks, or delivery vans that jump curbs or enter sidewalks; - Drivers backing out of parking spaces, driveways, alleys, or loading zones; - School zone and bus stop pedestrian crashes; - Parking lot pedestrian accidents; - Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents; - Uninsured or underinsured drivers; - Delivery vehicle, rideshare, taxi, bus, and company vehicle crashes; - Claims where the insurance company blames the pedestrian for crossing outside a crosswalk or against a signal. Pedestrian cases often turn on small details: the traffic light sequence, the crosswalk location, whether the driver was turning, whether another vehicle was stopped, how fast the driver was moving, and whether cameras captured the crash. ## Why Boston Pedestrian Accidents Are Different Boston's layout (narrow streets, heavy foot traffic, and constant construction) elevates risk. Even if a driver claims they didn't see you, they are legally obligated to maintain a lookout, yield, and control their speed. [Boston’s Vision Zero](https://www.boston.gov/departments/transportation/vision-zero) resources track crash patterns and dangerous locations across the city. Those records can help show why a certain intersection, crossing, or corridor is known for pedestrian danger. National crash data also shows the seriousness of pedestrian injuries. The [Governors Highway Safety Association](https://www.ghsa.org/resource-hub/pedestrian-traffic-fatalities-2024-data) reported that drivers struck and killed **7,148 pedestrians** in the United States in 2024. ## Massachusetts Pedestrian Right-of-Way Law Massachusetts law gives pedestrians protection in marked crosswalks. Under [M.G.L. c. 89, § 11](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter89/Section11), when traffic signals are not in place or not working, a driver must yield to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk if the pedestrian is on the same half of the road as the vehicle or within 10 feet of that half. The law also prohibits a driver from passing another vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian. **This law often matters when a pedestrian is hit because a driver:** - Rolled through a crosswalk - Turned into a person who was already crossing - Passed a stopped vehicle near a crosswalk - Drove too fast for the area - Focused on traffic instead of checking for people on foot A crosswalk helps your case, but it does not prove everything by itself. Photos, video, witness names, the police report, medical records, and the driver’s statements can all affect the outcome. ## Who May Be Responsible for a Pedestrian Accident Most claims start with the driver who hit the pedestrian. Depending on the facts, other parties may also be responsible. - **The driver** may be liable for speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield, unsafe turning, impaired driving, or backing up without checking for pedestrians. - **An employer** may be responsible if the driver was working at the time of the crash, such as a delivery driver, company vehicle driver, rideshare driver, taxi driver, contractor, or service worker. - **A vehicle owner or commercial company** may be part of the claim if a business vehicle, delivery van, truck, or fleet vehicle caused the crash. - **A public entity or transit operator** may be involved if the crash involved an MBTA vehicle, city vehicle, state vehicle, or a dangerous public property condition. These claims may have special notice rules and shorter deadlines. A pedestrian accident attorney in Boston can identify available insurance coverage and the parties who should be included in the claim. ## Common Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident Pedestrian crashes often cause serious injuries because the person walking absorbs the full force of the vehicle and the full force of striking the hard ground. Common injuries include: - Concussions and traumatic brain injuries - Broken bones and fractures - Hip, pelvis, knee, ankle, and foot injuries - Back, neck, and spinal injuries - Internal bleeding or organ damage - Shoulder, wrist, and hand injuries from the fall - Cuts, scarring, and facial injuries - Chronic pain and reduced mobility - Anxiety, sleep problems, and trauma after the crash - Fatal injuries and [wrongful death](https://attorneysheehan.com/boston-wrongful-death-lawyer) Some injuries are not obvious at the scene. A pedestrian may feel pain hours or days later, especially with head, back, neck, or internal injuries. Prompt medical care also creates records that connect the injury to the crash. ## Hit While Walking in Boston? Talk to our experienced attorney and his skilled team before giving a recorded statement to the insurance company. ## Who Pays First — and What Happens If They Blame You **1. PIP may pay first.** Massachusetts no-fault insurance can cover initial medical bills and part of your lost wages after a pedestrian crash. Under [M.G.L. c. 90, § 34A, PIP](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section34a) can apply when a pedestrian is hit by a covered motor vehicle. **2. A serious injury claim may go beyond PIP.** PIP is usually not enough after a major pedestrian injury. If your medical bills exceed $2,000, or the crash caused a fracture, serious disfigurement, loss of sight or hearing, loss of a body member, or death, you may be able to pursue pain-and-suffering damages under [M.G.L. c. 231, § 6D](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleII/Chapter231/Section6d). **3. Shared fault does not always block recovery.** The insurer may say you crossed too quickly, were outside the crosswalk, or missed a signal. Massachusetts has a comparative negligence law under [M.G.L. c. 231, § 85](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleII/Chapter231/Section85), meaning you can recover compensation even if partially at fault, as long as you're 50% or less comparatively negligent. Your recovery would be reduced by your percentage of fault. **Example:** If you are found 20% at fault, your compensation is reduced by 20% — not denied entirely. ## What Compensation Can You Recover A pedestrian accident claim may include both financial losses and personal losses. The value depends on the injury, treatment, work impact, available insurance, and proof of fault. You may be able to recover compensation for: - Ambulance and emergency room care - Hospital stays and surgery - Doctor visits, physical therapy, imaging, medication, and injections - Future medical care - Lost wages - Reduced future earning capacity - Transportation to medical appointments - Help with household tasks during recovery - Medical equipment or mobility devices - Financial Losses You may also be able to recover damages for: - Physical pain - Emotional distress - Loss of sleep - Fear of walking near traffic - Scarring or disfigurement - Permanent limitations - Loss of enjoyment of normal activities - Effects on family life, including loss of consortium for your spouse If a pedestrian accident is fatal, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim. - Pain, Suffering, and Life Impact ## What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Boston Take these steps when your health and safety allow: 1. Call 911 and ask for police and medical help. 2. Get medical care, even if you think the injury is minor. 3. Take photos of the vehicle, crosswalk, traffic signals, street signs, road conditions, and visible injuries. 4. Get the driver’s name, phone number, license plate, insurance company, and vehicle details. 5. Ask witnesses for names and phone numbers. 6. Look for nearby cameras on businesses, homes, buses, rideshare vehicles, or dashcams. 7. Do not argue about fault at the scene. 8. Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. 9. Keep medical bills, discharge papers, work notes, photos, and all insurance letters. 10. Call a Boston pedestrian accident lawyer before evidence is lost. Massachusetts also requires a [crash report](https://www.mass.gov/how-to/report-a-motor-vehicle-crash) when someone is injured, killed, or when property damage exceeds $1,000. Spanish-speaking pedestrians should ask for a Spanish-speaking officer, interpreter, or translated explanation before signing anything. ## Claim Your Free Case Evaluation Now If you were struck while walking, our Boston lawyers will prove liability, prevent insurers from blaming you, and seek full compensation under Massachusetts law. [Free Consultation](https://attorneysheehan.com/contact-us) ## Featured Reviews [More Client Testimonials](https://attorneysheehan.com/testimonials) ## Our Approach to Pedestrian Accident Claims We look for details that can confirm how the crash occurred, including police reports, photos, nearby surveillance footage, witness statements, traffic signals, crosswalk layout, vehicle damage, road conditions, and medical records. - Protecting Time-Sensitive Evidence Many pedestrian claims turn on driver behavior. We review whether the driver failed to yield, turned without checking the crosswalk, sped through an intersection, drove distracted, passed a stopped vehicle, backed up carelessly, or entered a sidewalk or pedestrian area. If the insurer tries to blame you, we compare that claim against the evidence. - Showing How the Driver Caused the Crash A pedestrian accident may involve more than one insurance policy. We review PIP benefits, bodily injury coverage, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, employer policies, commercial vehicle coverage, and any special rules that apply to public vehicles or transit-related crashes. - Finding Every Source of Coverage A strong claim should show more than the first hospital bill. We document medical treatment, missed work, future care needs, pain, scarring, mobility limitations, emotional stress, and how the injury affects your daily routine. - Proving the Full Impact of the Injury Our office handles communication with adjusters, prepares the claim for settlement discussions, and pushes back against low offers or unfair blame. If the insurer refuses to handle the case fairly, our team of pedestrian accident attorneys can take the next step in court. - Dealing with the Insurance Company ## Meet Our Team Since 1993, Attorney John Sheehan has represented injured workers and accident victims across Massachusetts, fighting for justice against powerful insurers and corporations. Fluent in Spanish and deeply involved in Boston’s Hispanic community, John has earned a reputation for listening, explaining complex legal matters, and securing maximum compensation for his clients. Behind John is a strong team of legal professionals who share one goal: providing each client with direct counsel and relentless advocacy. With decades of legal experience, we approach each case with the understanding that every injury and every person is unique. [Learn More John J. Sheehan](https://attorneysheehan.com/about-us/john-j-sheehan) ## Serving Pedestrian Accident Victims Throughout Greater Boston - Lawrence - /lawrence - Methuen - Haverhill - Lynn - /lynn - Chelsea - /chelsea - Revere - Everett - /everett - Malden - /malden [More Cities We Cover](https://attorneysheehan.com/areas-we-serve) - Wakefield Office - Law Office of John J. Sheehan, LLC
607 North, Ave, Suite 2A-12
Wakefield, MA 01880 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/NUPVcyWKsJTdaFmS7 - Boston Office - Law Office of John J. Sheehan, LLC
 10 Tremont St. Suite 309 Boston, MA 02108 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZJScxjs87sYejC2K7 ## Frequently Asked Questions About Boston Pedestrian Accident Claims We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fee unless compensation is recovered for you. The consultation is free. - How much does it cost to hire Attorney John J. Sheehan? Most personal injury lawsuits in Massachusetts must be filed within three years of the date of the accident. Some claims, including claims involving public entities, may have shorter notice rules. Contact a lawyer quickly so deadlines can be reviewed. - How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Massachusetts? PIP coverage may pay initial medical bills and part of your lost wages. If your injuries meet the legal threshold, you may also have a claim against the driver or another liable party for additional damages. - Who pays my medical bills after I am hit as a pedestrian? Possibly. Crossing outside a crosswalk does not automatically end your claim. The question is how fault is divided between you and the driver. Speed, distraction, visibility, traffic controls, and the driver’s reaction all matter. - Can I still recover compensation if I was outside the crosswalk? A marked crosswalk can strongly support your claim, especially if the driver failed to yield or passed another stopped vehicle. The case still needs evidence, including photos, witness statements, video, and medical records. - What if I were hit in a marked crosswalk? You should report basic information as required, but do not give a recorded statement or accept a settlement before speaking with a lawyer. Insurance adjusters may ask questions that make your injuries or the driver’s fault seem less serious. - Should I talk to the driver’s insurance company? Call the police immediately, seek medical care, and look for witnesses or cameras. A hit-and-run pedestrian accident may still involve insurance options, including uninsured motorist coverage or other available policies. - What if the driver left the scene? More than one insurance policy may apply. The driver, their employer, the vehicle owner, the delivery company, the rideshare insurance company, or a public entity may all be part of the claim. These cases should be reviewed early. - What if a delivery driver, rideshare driver, bus, or company vehicle hit me? The value depends on your medical treatment, the severity of your injury, lost wages, long-term symptoms, evidence of fault, and available insurance. Cases involving surgery, fractures, head injuries, permanent scarring, or work restrictions often require a larger recovery than short-term treatment claims. - How much is my pedestrian accident case worth? You can bring a pedestrian accident claim regardless of immigration status. Attorney Sheehan represents Spanish-speaking and immigrant clients across Massachusetts, and his team can speak with you in Spanish. - What if I am not a U.S. citizen? ## Find Out Where Your Pedestrian Claim Stands Tell us what happened, where you were walking, and what the insurance company has already said. The review is free, and you pay no fee unless compensation is recovered. --- Law Office of John J. Sheehan — [https://attorneysheehan.com/boston-pedestrian-accident-lawyer](https://attorneysheehan.com/boston-pedestrian-accident-lawyer)