Cases Tried In:

Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|

Maryland 301-565-1655 Virginia 703-576-5005

Free Consultations
Maryland 301-565-1655 | Virginia 703-576-5005

En Español

What Happens if I Am Hit by a Car While Walking in Virginia?

 Posted on July 31, 2025 in Pedestrian Accidents

Loudoun County, VA personal injury attorney for pedestrian accidentsGetting hit by a car leaves victims with serious injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and long-term consequences that permanently disrupt their lives. If you were struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian, you may be wondering whether you have the right to sue and what steps you should take next.

Virginia’s personal injury laws give pedestrians the right to pursue compensation when drivers act negligently. However, as a contributory negligence commonwealth, Virginia applies a particularly stringent rule that can impact your case, making it even more important to seek skilled legal representation. You do not need to navigate this process alone. Speak with a skilled Loudoun County, VA personal injury lawyer who knows how to build a strong claim.

Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way in Virginia?

While drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections, pedestrians also have responsibilities to uphold safety. Under Virginia Code § 46.2-924, drivers must yield to pedestrians who are:

  • In marked crosswalks

  • At intersections without traffic signals

  • Using pedestrian signals correctly

However, pedestrians are not allowed to suddenly leave a curb and enter a vehicle’s path, and they must obey traffic signals just like drivers. If a pedestrian violates traffic laws or behaves carelessly, they can be found partially at fault.

What Is Contributory Negligence and Why Does It Matter?

Virginia is one of only a few jurisdictions that still follow the rule of pure contributory negligence, so pedestrians who are found even one percent at fault for an accident can be completely barred from recovering any damages. If you were jaywalking or crossed the street against the light and a jury finds that you contributed to the crash in any way, your claim could be denied, even if the driver was mostly at fault.

Insurance companies often try to take advantage of this strict standard in Virginia and shift blame to injured pedestrians. Luckily, you do not need to face them alone. A tenacious attorney who is not afraid to take your case to trial and present a strong argument in your favor can make all the difference in your outcome.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?

Pedestrian victims of careless drivers are often able to recover compensation for emergency medical care and follow-up treatment, lost income, long-term disability or diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional distress or PTSD from the crash. If the driver was distracted, speeding, intoxicated, or otherwise reckless, that can help establish negligence and strengthen your chances of being awarded compensation.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Ashburn, VA Pedestrian Injury Lawyer

If you were hit by a car, contact our Loudoun County, VA personal injury lawyer at Whitlock Law. Our firm offers small-firm attention with big results. We have recovered over $50 million for our clients and are not afraid to take a case to court when it matters. Call 703-576-5005 today to schedule a free consultation so we can review your accident and work on a plan to get you the compensation you deserve.

Share this post:
Back to Top