Why Choose Us Over Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Western Massachusetts
When a driver fails in their duty of care and you end up hurt, it’s important to have the right attorney by your side. Al Goodman at Better Call Al attorney understands how to hold negligent drivers accountable, deal with insurance companies, collect key evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Here’s why choosing Better Call Al can make a big difference:
- Recognized by Super Lawyers based on peer reviews and independent research.
- AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell for professional skill and ethics.
- Decades of focused experience in pedestrian accident cases, not just generic car-crash work.
- Strong relationships with medical and forensic experts.
- A proven track record of multimillion-dollar recoveries for injured pedestrians and their families.
- No fees unless we win.
Hurt in a Pedestrian Accident?
You don’t have to face your medical bills alone. Let Better Call Al fight for your recovery. Call (413) 736-1616 for a free consultation today.
Reasons to See a Springfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Right Away
Over time, evidence may be lost, witnesses become harder to track down, and traffic-cam footage can be overwritten. By contacting a lawyer immediately, you get someone on your side who:
- Begins preserving evidence (photos, video, vehicle data, driver logs);
- Seeks medical records and treatment documentation while memory and details are fresh;
- Handles communications with insurance, so you don’t accidentally say something that could weaken your claim;
- Make sure you meet all deadlines, including filing timelines and insurance reporting requirements;
Do You Have a Legitimate Case?
To have a valid pedestrian accident claim, you must be able to prove three things:
- The driver or other responsible party owed you a legal duty of care;
- That duty was breached due to negligent or reckless driver behavior;
- That breach caused your injuries and financial losses.
You may have a strong case if:
- You were struck while legally walking (in a crosswalk, sidewalk, parking lot path, or even outside these if the driver was clearly negligent).
- The driver failed to yield, ignored traffic signals, or performed a dangerous maneuver that caused the impact.
- You incurred significant medical treatment for injuries you would not otherwise have had.
- Your injuries resulted in lost income, rehab, long-term impairment, or significant disruption to your life.
- The driver was under the influence, distracted, speeding, turning carelessly or operating a large truck or bus.
- The road conditions or intersection layout were unsafe, and the driver or municipality failed to respond.
What’s the Legal Process for a Pedestrian Accident Claim
Here’s how the road to recovery typically looks with us handling the legal side:
- Free Initial Consultation – We’ll review your case, explain your rights and options, and help you understand the likely path forward.
- Investigation – We gather police reports, vehicle- and driver-data (brake data, turn logs), accident scene photos, witness statements, traffic-cam or surveillance video, medical records, and any relevant road-design or signage information.
- Expert Review – We bring in accident reconstruction specialists, traffic engineers, medical experts (for your injury severity and future care needs) to build a strong causation and liability picture.
- Filing the Claim – Once ready, we file suit or submit a demand to the responsible party (driver, employer, municipality, truck company) and their insurance carrier.
- Discovery Phase – Both sides exchange evidence, take depositions of witnesses and parties, evaluate medical records, examine driver logs and other data.
- Negotiation or Trial Preparation – Many cases settle, but we prepare each case from day one as though it will go to trial. We evaluate settlement offers critically to see if they fully account for your future losses and risks.
- Settlement or Trial – We aim for settlement but if the insurance company won’t pay what you deserve, we’re ready for trial.
What Is the Statute of Limitations in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, you generally only have three years from the date of the accident to file suit. Cases involving public officials such as unsafe traffic conditions have even shorter filing deadlines.
Types of Compensation in Pedestrian Accident Claims
When a pedestrian is injured due to someone else’s negligence, the compensation they may recover is broader than just the immediate medical bills. You may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses (past and future) including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, rehab devices, home modifications.
- Lost wages and lost capacity for earnings (past income you couldn’t earn plus future income you’ve lost because of impaired ability).
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and any permanent impairment or disfigurement.
- Costs of long-term care, assistive devices, modifications to your home or vehicle, attendant care, rehabilitation expenses.
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident (transportation, child-care, home adjustments).
In cases where the pedestrian is killed, wrongful-death damages may apply to surviving family members, including loss of companionship and future support.
Don’t Let the Insurance Company Control Your Future
Better Call Al will fight for every dollar. Call (413) 736-1616 for your free case review.
Types of Driver Negligence That Cause Pedestrian Accidents
There are several types of driver behaviors or road conditions that lead to pedestrian collisions.
- Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians – Whether at crosswalks, intersections, or when turning across a sidewalk, failure to yield is a major cause of pedestrian accidents.
- DUI driving – When drivers are intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, their reaction time, judgment, coordination all decline and they pose grave risk to pedestrians.
- Distracted drivers – Drivers using phones, texting, manipulating infotainment systems, or otherwise distracted are less likely to notice a pedestrian crossing.
- Tractor-trailers, dump trucks and buses turning right at intersections – Large commercial vehicles have larger blind spots and turning radius; when making right turns at intersections they may fail to see or give space to a pedestrian on the curb or crosswalk.
- Speeding – Excessive speed reduces the driver’s ability to stop or maneuver and increases the severity of impact if a collision occurs.
- Running red lights and stop signs – Ignoring traffic controls puts pedestrians at extreme risk, particularly in busy intersections or when drivers run through them without scanning for pedestrians.
- Fatigued driving – Long-haul commercial drivers, shift workers, or drowsy drivers may have degraded vigilance, slower reactions and impaired judgment, all increasing risk to pedestrians.
- When poor road conditions and poorly designed intersections cause an accident – Sometimes the driver isn’t the only responsible party. Negligent road design, inadequate signage or lighting, or obstructed crosswalks can contribute significantly to pedestrian collisions.
- Parking lot accidents – Pedestrians are often struck in parking lots where drivers are turning, backing up, or failing to watch for foot traffic; many assume low-speed environment, so driver care may slip.
- Hit and run car accidents – When the driver flees the scene, the pedestrian faces an uphill battle to identify the driver, link them to the crash, and recover compensation. That makes early investigation and legal representation critical.
Injuries Caused by Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents may result in catastrophic injuries when pedestrians are hit by a vehicle or some other object. Some of the most common types of pedestrian accident injury are:
- Lacerations and contusions
- Back and neck injuries
- Facial fractures
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Pedestrian wrongful death
Top Accident Locations in Western Massachusetts
The top crash locations in Western Massachusetts are found in Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee.
Springfield
- Sumner Avenue and Belmont Avenue
- Saint James Boulevard & Saint James Avenue
- Saint James Avenue and Carew Street
- Main Street and Plainfield Street
- Boston Road and Parker Street
- Boston Road and Pasco Road
- State Street and Saint James Avenue
- Boston Road and Covington Street
- Boston Road and Harvey Street
- State Street and Colonial Avenue
- E. Columbus Avenue and Union Street
- State Street and Benton Street
- Union Street and Walnut Street
- State Street and Spring Street
- Boston Road and Bay Street
- Berkshire Avenue and Cottage Street
Holyoke
- Main Street and Cabot Street
- High Street and Cabot Street
- Cherry Street and Soldiers Home Road
Chicopee
- Montgomery Street and Mckinstry Avenue
- Broadway and East Main Street
- Memorial Drive and Chicopee Marketplace
What Clients Are Saying About Us
Very responsive, professional, knowledgeable and on top of everything - Natasha Rodriguez
I absolutely never leave reviews, but attorney Goodman has truly super exceeded my expectations throughout the whole entire process. Unfortunately, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident where I was rear ended. Attorney Goodman came through as a referral from my friend who said he was amazing and she definitely wasn’t lying. Attorney Goodman fought with the insurance companies when they tried to deny me and/or give me less for my lost wages, he continued to fight for the settlement that I received that exceeded my expectations. He was very responsive, professional, knowledgeable and on top of everything. Definitely the type of attorney that you want by your side. Thank you attorney Goodman I’ll be forever grateful!
I'm so thankful that I met an attorney who cares about people - Shayna Hosey
I would recommend Attorney Goodman to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, personable, empathetic lawyer who will fight for you and get results quickly and with a smile! The experience has been amazing and I'm so thankful that I met an attorney who cares about people and who I trust! Better call Al!!!!
Case Results
Pedestrian Injury — $1,200,000 Settlement
A young man was crossing a street late at night in a Western Massachusetts town when he was struck by a car whose driver fled the scene. Fortunately, other motorists witnessed the incident and recorded the license plate, which police traced to a local car dealership. The intoxicated driver initially denied any involvement, attempting to avoid arrest due to his prior criminal record.
Through determined investigation and relentless legal pressure, we proved the driver’s responsibility and established the dealership’s liability. Despite the insurance company’s initial resistance, they ultimately agreed to a $1.2 million settlement to compensate our client for his permanent mild traumatic brain injury and the life-changing impact of the crash.
Pedestrian Hit in Supermarket Parking Lot — $850,000 Settlement
A woman pushing her grocery cart across a clearly marked crosswalk in a supermarket parking lot was struck and knocked down by a car. The vehicle’s front tire ran over her lower leg, causing severe injuries, including a fractured ankle that required plates and screws, a comminuted tibia fracture stabilized with a rod, and a torn meniscus repaired through arthroscopic surgery.
Our client endured extensive physical therapy, months of disability, and ultimately was only able to return to work part-time. Our firm filed suit within weeks of the crash. The case resolved for $850,000, compensating both the woman and her husband, who brought a loss of consortium claim for the toll the injuries took on their lives.
Speak With a Trusted Western Massachusetts Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
At Better Call Al, we’re ready to thoroughly investigate the accident and fight for full compensation. Contact us as soon as possible for a free consultation, because your rights, your health, and your financial recovery don’t wait.
Call (413) 736-1616 to lean more today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a pedestrian accident in Springfield MA?
First, get medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Then, report the accident to police and gather contact information for witnesses and the driver if possible. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any damage. Call Better Call Al before speaking with the driver’s insurance company.
How can a pedestrian accident attorney help me?
A skilled attorney investigates the crash, preserves key evidence (like surveillance video or phone records), works with medical and accident reconstruction experts, and negotiates directly with insurance companies to maximize your compensation. Better Call Al handles all legal and insurance pressure so you can focus on healing.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
If it’s a hit-and-run, you may still have a valid claim. Massachusetts law allows recovery through your own uninsured motorist coverage or, in some cases, through state funds. Our team can help identify the driver or pursue all available insurance policies to ensure you’re not left with the bills.
How much is my pedestrian accident case worth?
That depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, need for surgery or long-term care, time away from work, and impact on your daily life. Better Call Al will calculate the true value of your claim—including future medical costs and pain and suffering—to demand full compensation.
Do I have to pay upfront for legal services?
No. Better Call Al works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and no legal fees unless we win your case. We only get paid when you get compensated.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Massachusetts?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim. However, some exceptions apply—especially in cases involving government entities or hit-and-run drivers. It’s best to contact Better Call Al.
What if the driver was uninsured or underinsured?
You may be able to file a claim under your own auto insurance policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, even if you weren’t driving. Our team will review all available coverage options to make sure you’re not left uncompensated due to someone else’s lack of insurance.
Meet Our Springfield MA Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Al Goodman
Al Goodman has built a solid reputation as one of Springfield’s most trusted personal injury attorneys. He is known for his relentless advocacy, strategic litigation skills, and genuine care for every client he represents. As the founding attorney of Better Call Al, he has dedicated his career to helping victims of negligence rebuild their lives after devastating accidents, from pedestrian and auto collisions to nursing home neglect and medical malpractice.
Al understands the challenges local families face after an unexpected injury. He brings that community insight to every case, combining practical legal experience with a strong sense of moral duty. Over the years, he has secured millions in verdicts and settlements, earning the respect of both clients and peers.
Book Your Free Consultation
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