A simple walk shouldn’t end in tragedy—but every year, dozens of pedestrians in North Carolina lose their lives due to careless drivers and dangerous road conditions. 💔
If your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. At Burts Law, PLLC, we help grieving families fight for justice, closure, and the compensation they need to move forward.
🚨 Pedestrian Fatalities Are Rising in NC
According to recent statistics, North Carolina ranks among the worst states for pedestrian safety. Factors include:
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🚗 Speeding in residential or urban areas
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📵 Distracted driving (texting, GPS use)
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🌙 Poor visibility or inadequate lighting
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🚦 Failure to yield at crosswalks or intersections
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❌ Lack of sidewalks or pedestrian signals
Even one moment of negligence behind the wheel can have deadly consequences for a person on foot.
⚖️ What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim is a legal action filed when someone’s death was caused by another party’s negligence or recklessness.
In pedestrian cases, that often includes:
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Drivers of cars, trucks, or motorcycles
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Commercial drivers (Amazon, FedEx, rideshare, etc.)
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Local governments responsible for road design or lighting
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Businesses that created unsafe foot traffic conditions
👨👩👧 Who Can File a Pedestrian Wrongful Death Claim in NC?
Only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death claim in North Carolina. This person is:
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Named in the will, OR
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Appointed by the court if there is no will
The claim is filed on behalf of the surviving family, which may include:
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👩❤️👨 Spouse
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👶 Children
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👵 Parents
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👨👩👧 Other legal heirs if no immediate family remains
💰 What Damages Can You Recover?
North Carolina allows for compensation in several categories:
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⚰️ Funeral and burial costs
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🏥 Medical expenses prior to death
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💼 Lost wages and benefits
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🧠 Mental anguish and emotional distress
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💔 Loss of companionship, protection, and guidance
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💣 Punitive damages (if the at-fault driver was reckless or impaired)
📌 Many families also seek justice—not just compensation—to prevent future tragedies.
🧾 What You Must Prove
To win a wrongful death pedestrian claim, we must show:
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The driver or at-fault party owed a duty of care
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They breached that duty (e.g., speeding, distracted)
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That breach caused the pedestrian’s death
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Your family suffered damages
📸 Evidence often includes:
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Crash reports
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Witness statements
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Surveillance or dashcam footage
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Expert accident reconstruction
⏳ Time Limits in NC
The statute of limitations in North Carolina for a wrongful death claim is 2 years from the date of death.
⏰ Evidence disappears quickly—so don’t wait to get help.
👨⚖️ Why Choose Burts Law, PLLC?
We understand the pain of losing a loved one—and we know how to take on insurers, commercial drivers, and even government entities.
Our firm will:
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Investigate fault and gather evidence
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Work with crash experts and medical professionals
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Calculate long-term losses
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Handle all negotiations and filings
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Go to trial if justice demands it
📞 Call (866) BURTS-LAW or visit 🌐 🌐 Visit: www.burtslaw-nc.com to schedule a free consultation. We’re here to help you seek justice, one step at a time.
