A pedestrian has no protection when a driver fails to pay attention. Even a low-speed collision can leave someone with broken bones, a brain injury, or a spinal cord injury. If you or a loved one was hit by a vehicle in Charlotte or anywhere in Mecklenburg County, the Charlotte pedestrian accident attorneys at Portner & Shure can help. We have handled personal injury claims across North Carolina for more than 30 years.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents Around Charlotte
Charlotte’s busy uptown streets, light-rail crossings, and growing suburbs put pedestrians and drivers together at hundreds of intersections every day. Most pedestrian collisions come down to driver negligence. The cases we see in the Charlotte area often involve:
- Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk
- Distracted driving, including texting behind the wheel
- Speeding and running red lights or stop signs
- Drivers turning without checking for people in the intersection
- Backing out of driveways and parking lots without looking
- Impaired driving
North Carolina’s Pedestrian Right-of-Way Rules
North Carolina law spells out who must yield and when. At crossings where traffic signals are not in place or not in operation, drivers must yield to a pedestrian who is lawfully within a marked or unmarked crosswalk (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-173). Where signals are operating, both drivers and pedestrians must obey them. And when crossing outside of a crosswalk, the pedestrian must yield to vehicles (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-174). When either party breaks these rules, that violation is often central to who is held responsible for the crash.
Injuries and Damages
Because a pedestrian has nothing between them and the vehicle, injuries are frequently severe: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken limbs, internal injuries, and permanent disfigurement. Depending on the facts, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Rule
North Carolina follows a strict contributory negligence rule. If the driver’s insurer can show you were even slightly at fault — for example, by stepping off the curb outside a crosswalk — it can bar your recovery entirely. This is one of the harshest standards in the country, and it is exactly why insurers work so hard to shift blame onto the injured pedestrian. Careful investigation and a clear account of how the crash happened are essential to protect your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File? North Carolina’s Statute of Limitations
In North Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a pedestrian injury lawsuit (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52), and generally two years for a wrongful death claim. Physical evidence at the scene — skid marks, signal timing, and camera footage — disappears quickly, so it is wise to speak with an attorney early. Claims in Mecklenburg County are generally pursued through the Mecklenburg County Courthouse.
How Our Charlotte Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Can Help
Insurance companies routinely argue that the pedestrian “came out of nowhere” and defend these claims aggressively. You should not face them alone. Our team moves quickly to preserve evidence, identify witnesses, and reconstruct how the crash happened, then pushes for fair compensation. We work on a contingency basis, which means there is no fee unless we recover for you.
We Can Help If English is Not Your First Language
Our firm serves a diverse community, and we have team members who speak Spanish and Korean. We can discuss your case in a language you are comfortable with so nothing is lost in translation.
Contact Our Charlotte Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Today
If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident in Charlotte or anywhere in Mecklenburg County, contact Portner & Shure for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Other Injury Cases We Handle in Charlotte
- Charlotte Car Accident Lawyers
- Charlotte Truck Accident Lawyers
- Charlotte Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
- Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyers
- Charlotte Wrongful Death Lawyers
- Charlotte Premises Liability Lawyers
- Charlotte Bicycle Accident Lawyers
- Charlotte Dog Bite Lawyers
- Charlotte Brain Injury Lawyers
- Charlotte Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
- Charlotte Medical Malpractice Lawyers
- Charlotte Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
- Charlotte Bus Accident Lawyers
