A pedestrian accident claim is a personal injury case filed when a driver strikes and injures a person on foot, in a crosswalk, or along a roadway due to negligent driving. In Charlotte, pedestrians injured by a vehicle have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering – but North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule means any finding of fault against the pedestrian can eliminate recovery entirely. A Charlotte pedestrian accident attorney at Mehta and McConnell, PLLC, investigates the driver’s actions, preserves traffic camera footage, and builds the liability case before the at-fault driver’s insurer can shift blame.
If you suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, you might be experiencing pain, anxiety, and stress.
Your injuries might make it impossible to work while your financial obligations continue to pile up.
Charlotte pedestrian accident attorneys are dedicated to protecting your rights and work to get you the compensation you need to move forward.
You can reach our lawyers at 980-326-2270.
Key Takeaways
- Pedestrian accidents in Charlotte most often occur when drivers fail to yield at crosswalks, speed through intersections, or drive while distracted, leaving the pedestrian with serious injuries through no fault of their own.
- North Carolina recorded nearly 16,000 pedestrian accidents in a recent year, making it one of the more dangerous states for people traveling on foot.
- Pedestrian injury victims are particularly vulnerable to NC’s contributory negligence rule, because insurers may argue that a pedestrian’s own behavior contributed to the crash to deny the claim.
- Injuries from pedestrian accidents often include broken bones, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries, all of which can result in extended medical treatment and significant financial loss.
- Acting quickly after a pedestrian accident in Charlotte preserves critical evidence, including traffic camera footage, driver records, and witness statements that support your claim for compensation.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Charlotte, NC
Pedestrians suffer serious injuries and death every day due to preventable pedestrian accidents. In 2019, there were 15,980 pedestrian accidents in North Carolina.
In Charlotte specifically, pedestrian accidents concentrate along several high-risk corridors. The North Tryon Street and Sugar Creek Road intersection near University City sees frequent crosswalk incidents. South Boulevard through the South End and Dilworth neighborhoods generates pedestrian crash reports due to rideshare dropoff conflicts and weekend foot traffic. Beatties Ford Road and the West Boulevard corridor in west Charlotte are also documented high-pedestrian-injury areas in Mecklenburg County traffic records. If you were struck near any of these locations – or anywhere in Charlotte, Gastonia, Concord, or the surrounding metro area – our attorneys know how to obtain city traffic camera footage and intersection engineering data that can establish driver liability.
Understanding the common causes of pedestrian accidents may not guarantee your safety, but it may help you recognize warning signs that can keep you out of harm’s way.
Distracted Driving Near Uptown Charlotte Crosswalks and Trade & Tryon Streets
A person is distracted when they undertake the following acts while driving:
- Talking or texting on their phone,
- Adjusting the radio station,
- Eating,
- Engaging with passengers in the car, or
- Updating their GPS while driving.
Any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road, even for a second, can have devastating consequences.
Your attorney will investigate whether distracted driving was the cause of your pedestrian accident to prove the driver’s liability.
Speeding on Charlotte Roads Like Independence Blvd and N Tryon St
Drivers who exceed the speed limit increase their chances of being involved in a pedestrian accident. The faster a car travels, the longer it takes to stop.
If a pedestrian appears in a roadway, a speeding driver may find it impossible to stop in time, even if they slam on the brakes.
Failing to Yield at Charlotte Pedestrian Crossings
When a pedestrian enters a crosswalk, drivers are required to stop and let the pedestrian pass.
Unfortunately, many drivers fail to yield and hit pedestrians. These accidents are rarely the pedestrian’s fault.
Failure to Obey Traffic Signals in High-Foot-Traffic Charlotte Areas
When drivers fail to obey traffic signs or signals, they put pedestrians at risk. If a motorist attempts to beat a red light through an intersection, a driver may strike a pedestrian who is trying to cross the street.
Failing to Signal
Car signals allow drivers to communicate with others while out on the road. When drivers fail to signal, they don’t let others know that they intend to change lanes or make a turn.
For example, when a driver fails to signal, a pedestrian may believe the driver intends to go straight.
However, if the driver suddenly makes a right turn, they may catch the pedestrian unaware and hit them as they cross the street.
Impaired Driving
Anyone who drives while under the influence of drugs or alcohol puts everyone around them at risk.
Drugs and alcohol impair a driver’s vision, cognitive function, and reaction time, making it more likely the driver will cause a collision.
You deserve to recover compensation for your injuries. However, it’s vital to establish the liability of the driver to succeed.
The best Charlotte pedestrian accident lawyer understands the importance of thoroughly investigating the cause of your accident to strengthen your case and help you obtain the best possible outcome.
Why Charlotte Pedestrian Accident Victims Choose Mehta & McConnell
- Proven Experience Against Insurance Companies: Our attorneys spent years on the defense side before representing injured people, giving them a clear picture of how insurers approach pedestrian accident claims and what arguments they use to avoid full payment.
- Board-Certified Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Charlotte and Mecklenburg County: Viral Mehta and Jason McConnell hold North Carolina State Bar certifications and have fought for injured pedestrians across Charlotte, including victims struck while walking, crossing streets, or using crosswalks.
- Aggressive Protection Against Contributory Negligence Claims: Insurers frequently argue that pedestrians share fault in collisions. We build cases that challenge those allegations with evidence, witness testimony, and traffic law analysis specific to Charlotte’s road infrastructure.
- Thorough Documentation of All Damages: Pedestrian injuries are often severe. We work to document every loss, from emergency care and rehabilitation to long-term disability and pain and suffering, so your claim reflects the full impact of the accident.
- No Fee Unless We Win: Your initial consultation is 100% free, and you pay no attorney fees until we recover compensation for you.
What To Do If You’re Hit By A Car As A Pedestrian
A pedestrian accident is a traumatizing experience. Knowing what to do immediately after an accident is crucial to protecting your rights in any potential lawsuit.
Unfortunately, many pedestrians don’t know the steps they should take after an accident.
If you were in a pedestrian accident, you might have also suffered serious injuries requiring immediate medical attention.
Only if you can do so safely, undertake the following actions after being in an accident:
- Check for injuries. Look yourself over and assess whether you are suffering from any obvious injuries. If you believe you are hurt, do not move. Only move and complete the next steps if you can do so safely and without harming yourself further.
- Call 911. Always call 911 after a pedestrian accident. Emergency medical personnel and law enforcement officers will report to the scene to provide medical aid and begin an investigation into the accident. Reporting officers create an accident report detailing useful facts that can be used by your Charlotte pedestrian accident lawyer.
- Obtain medical care. Even if you believe you are injury-free, seek medical attention anyway. Many medical issues, including severe issues like internal bleeding, may only be evident to you hours, days, or even weeks after an accident. Charlotte pedestrian accident attorneys use your medical records to calculate a value for your case.
- Gather the driver’s information. If you can do so without further harming yourself or others, obtain the name, contact information, and insurance details of the driver who hit you. If you cannot get this information at the scene, these details will also be in the police accident report.
- Document the scene. Take photographs of the scene, the vehicles involved, your injuries, and other relevant parts of the accident scene. Take as many photos as you can. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. It’s also important to write down your recollection of the events before, during, and after the accident as soon as you can.
- Call a lawyer. Contact a Charlotte pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. You deserve to have someone on your side fighting for fair compensation on your behalf.
It may seem impossible to have the clarity of mind to remember these steps in the minutes following a pedestrian accident.
However, completing these steps helps the best Charlotte pedestrian accident attorney immediately access evidence they will use to support your claim.
North Carolina’s statute of limitations gives pedestrian accident victims three years to take legal action under G.S. 1-52. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the more time your legal team has to preserve evidence and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
Contact Our Charlotte Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Today
When you work with the legal team at Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, you benefit from our wealth of legal knowledge and skill.
Because we both previously worked as defense attorneys, we can anticipate the tactics insurance companies and opposing counsel will use to try to deny you the compensation you deserve.
With over 30 years of combined legal experience, you can trust us to handle your case while you focus on your recovery.
Contact us today for a free, no-commitment consultation to discuss your legal options.
Local Resources in Charlotte, NC
If you were struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian in Charlotte, these trusted local resources can help with emergency care, accident reporting, transportation, and recovery support. While these services can assist in the immediate aftermath, speaking with a Charlotte pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible can help protect your rights and your claim.
Police & Public Safety
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) – 601 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202. Responds to pedestrian accidents within Charlotte city limits, files official crash reports, and investigates driver negligence. Call 911 for emergencies or (704) 336-7600 for non-emergency matters. Visit Website
- North Carolina State Highway Patrol – Troop D, District 4 – Responds to pedestrian accidents on I-277, I-277 inner loop, and other state-controlled roadways in Mecklenburg County. Call (704) 358-7800. Visit Website
- Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office – 700 E 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28202. Handles incidents in unincorporated areas of Mecklenburg County outside Charlotte city limits. Call (704) 336-8100. Visit Website
Accident Reports & Records
- CMPD Crash Reports – Request official accident reports for pedestrian accidents investigated by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers. Reports are typically available within 5–10 business days and are critical evidence in pedestrian injury claims. Request Records
- NC DMV Crash Reports (DMV-349) – Request certified copies of crash reports filed with the NC Division of Motor Vehicles for accidents investigated by the State Highway Patrol on state-maintained roads. Request Report
- Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office Records – Request reports for pedestrian accidents handled by sheriff’s deputies in unincorporated Mecklenburg County. Visit Website
Medical & Emergency Care
- Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center – 1000 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203. The region’s only Level I trauma center with a 24/7 emergency department — the primary destination for pedestrians who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, internal bleeding, or multiple fractures. Visit Website
- Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center – 200 Hawthorne Ln, Charlotte, NC 28204. Full-service hospital with emergency and trauma services in midtown Charlotte, providing an additional option for pedestrian accident victims requiring urgent care. Visit Website
Urgent Care & Rehabilitation
- Atrium Health Urgent Care – Multiple Locations – Walk-in care across Charlotte for pedestrian accident injuries that do not require emergency department treatment, including soft tissue injuries, sprains, and minor fractures. Find a Location
- Novant Health GoHealth Urgent Care – Charlotte – Immediate care and specialist referrals at multiple Charlotte-area locations for pedestrians recovering from non-life-threatening injuries. Find a Location
Transportation Services
- CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) – Public bus, LYNX Blue Line light rail, and GOLD Line streetcar services throughout Charlotte. For pedestrian accident victims without a vehicle, CATS provides essential transit options during recovery and medical appointments. Visit Website
- Mecklenburg County EMS / Medic – Regional emergency medical services covering Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Call 911 in any emergency involving a pedestrian injury. Visit Website
- Lyft & Uber – Charlotte – 5675 Reed Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208. Rideshare options available throughout Charlotte for injured pedestrians who need transportation to medical appointments, court hearings, or legal consultations during recovery. Call: +1 336 255 3732
Courts & Legal Resources
- Mecklenburg County Superior Court – 832 E 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28202. Handles civil cases including personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from pedestrian accidents in Mecklenburg County. Visit Website
Pedestrian Safety & Reporting Resources
- Transportation Department – Reports dangerous intersections, crosswalk defects, or missing pedestrian signals in Charlotte. Use the city’s online service request portal to flag hazardous conditions that may have contributed to an accident. Visit Website
- NC DOT – Pedestrian Program – State-level resources on pedestrian safety, crosswalk laws, and right-of-way rules in North Carolina. Visit Website
Mental Health & Support
- Mecklenburg County Community Support Services – Counseling and behavioral health support for trauma and recovery after a serious pedestrian accident. Being struck by a vehicle is a traumatic event — mental health care is an important part of recovery. Call (704) 336-2050. Visit Website
- Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center – Regional trauma-informed mental health care for pedestrian accident survivors dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and long-term physical and emotional recovery. Visit Website