Wichita Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

When walking along a city sidewalk or waiting for that little person to light up on the crosswalk sign, you’re not thinking about the possibility of being struck by a vehicle. You’re on your way to the corner store for a snack or on your way home from the bus stop when an unexpected tragedy occurs.

If you or someone you know has been hit by a car or other vehicle while on foot in Sedgwick County, an experienced Wichita pedestrian accident lawyer from Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC is ready to help.

How Most Pedestrians Get Struck

Unfortunately, these pedestrian accidents are all too common and often leave those involved with severe injuries or even death.

KAKE recently reported that the Wichita Police Department data shows a 35% increase in pedestrian-involved crashes for 2024 over 2023. Additionally, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KSDOT) reported 38 pedestrians were killed and another 4,093 were injured in accidents across Kansas.

But how do drivers end up hitting pedestrians?

Most often, these accidents are due to driver errors, most commonly seen in the following ways:

• Distracted drivers (texting, talking to passengers, eating, etc.)
• Speeding drivers
• Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs
• Drivers not seeing pedestrians at night
• Turning drivers when the view of pedestrians is blocked by other cars or objects
• Drivers in parking lots who are driving too fast or dangerously around foot traffic

Dangerous Areas for Walkers in Wichita

When it comes to locations where vehicle and pedestrian accidents occur, any area can be a dangerous one for pedestrians. Some of our city’s most notorious streets are the busy crosswalks at intersections such as:

• 47^th and Broadway
• Ridge Road and Maple
• Broadway and Murdock
• 13^th and Grove

These are just a few of the more accident-prone locations; however, pedestrians can be hit by vehicles in any place with high traffic, like the following:

• Streets with unmarked crosswalks
• School zones, specifically when children are loading or unloading from buses
• Parking lots in shopping centers, outside of busy department stores, etc.
• Driveways with a blocked view of the sidewalk
• Shoulders of roadways without properly designated pedestrian walking areas

What Are the Most Common Pedestrian Injuries?

Unlike an accident involving only vehicles, pedestrian-vehicle accidents are far more likely to cause significant physical and emotional trauma, and the injuries the victims suffer are often extensive and life-threatening. Because pedestrians lack any kind of protection when being struck by a vehicle, severe injuries such as the following are commonly seen:

• Broken bones: Fractures and broken bones, especially in the hands, arms, feet, and legs, are very common due to the force of impact in this type of collision.
• Head injuries: These can range from minor concussions to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), which generally has long-lasting effects that impede cognitive function and an overall decline in a victim’s quality of life.
• Internal injuries: The impact of a large moving object often causes internal damage that may not be immediately noticeable but can be life-threatening, such as internal bleeding or organ damage, especially if injuries are sustained to the abdomen or chest area.
• Soft tissue injuries: Damage to tendons, ligaments, muscles, or any other soft parts of the body frequently occur, resulting in sprains, strains, or other severe damage that may require surgeries or rehabilitation, such as physical therapy.
• Amputation: Depending on the nature of the accident (the speed of the car, the location where the victim is struck, etc.), severe damage to the legs or arms may lead to the loss of these limbs to preserve the victim’s life.
• Spinal cord injuries: Often, when a significant impact of a car or other vehicle hits a pedestrian, it damages the victim’s spinal cord, which may result in partial or full paralysis, such as quadriplegia, which will affect the victim for the rest of their life.
• Psychological trauma: Alongside any physical trauma or injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident, victims often suffer long-lasting emotional scars such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or anxiety due to the incident.
• Wrongful death: An unfortunate result of many vehicle-pedestrian accidents is the death of the pedestrian involved. Sometimes, the victim succumbs to their injuries at the scene of the accident, or they may be brought to a hospital where they later pass.

Whenever this type of accident occurs, regardless of the exact details of your case, know that our office can assist you in seeking compensation for the injuries and damage you’ve suffered. Even if your injuries are not among those listed, we will still gladly schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

Why You Should Hire a Wichita Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

The aftermath of any accident can be a traumatic experience, especially when it involves a pedestrian, and it can be a complex case if the driver tries to claim the pedestrian is at fault or if the pedestrian is severely injured and unable to give details of the incident.

The best thing you can do to help yourself or your loved one is to hire an attorney from Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC.

Our lawyers have the necessary skills to fight for your case and seek compensation for the following:

• Medical bills
• Loss of income
• Loss of quality of life
• Physical and emotional distress
• Any long-term care needed for disabilities
• Property damage

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after being hit by a vehicle in Wichita?

Call 911, seek medical attention, gather the driver’s contact and insurance information, take photos of the scene, and contact a lawyer before speaking with the driver’s insurer.

Who can be held liable in a Wichita pedestrian accident?

The driver is often liable, but others may share fault, including employers (for company vehicles), municipalities (for unsafe crosswalks), or property owners (for poor visibility).

Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes. Kansas follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning you can recover damages if you were less than 50% at fault, though your award will be reduced by your fault percentage.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Kansas?

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, but acting sooner helps preserve evidence.

What if the driver who hit me was uninsured?

Your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may help cover your damages. A lawyer can help you navigate the claim process with your insurer.

Are pedestrian accidents always the driver’s fault?

Not always. While drivers have a duty to yield, pedestrians can also be at fault if they cross outside crosswalks, ignore signals, or enter traffic unexpectedly.

Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC Can Help

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a pedestrian accident in Wichita or anywhere in Kansas, don’t hesitate to seek legal advice.

At Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC, our Wichita pedestrian accident lawyers serve personal injury victims in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Colorado. By partnering with us, you are ensuring that your case will be filed correctly and in a timely manner, and our experienced lawyers will fight to get you and your family the maximum compensation the law allows.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re eager to speak with you.