If you’ve been struck by a vehicle while walking in Norman, you’re dealing with injuries that are almost certainly serious. There’s no metal frame to absorb the impact. No airbag. No seatbelt. Just you and a two-ton machine. The physical trauma is obvious, but what often catches people off guard is what comes next—hospital bills that dwarf anything they’ve ever seen, insurance adjusters who act sympathetic but work for the driver, and a recovery timeline that stretches far longer than anyone warned them about.

Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers represents pedestrians who have been injured by negligent drivers in Norman and throughout Cleveland County. Our attorneys bring 54 years of combined experience to these cases, and we’ve recovered millions of dollars for clients whose lives were upended by someone else’s carelessness behind the wheel. Pedestrian cases involve unique legal and medical complexities that require attorneys who understand them. If a driver’s negligence left you injured, contact our Norman, OK pedestrian accident lawyer for a free consultation.

Why Choose Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers for Pedestrian Accident Cases in Norman, OK.?

We Understand the Severity of These Cases

Pedestrian accidents produce some of the most catastrophic injuries our firm handles. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ trauma—these aren’t theoretical possibilities, they’re the norm. Our personal injury attorneys recognize that pedestrian cases demand a different level of attention to medical evidence and long-term care planning. We work with medical specialists who can document the full scope of your injuries and project what your treatment will cost over the coming years and decades.

Aggressive Investigation From Day One

Drivers who hit pedestrians often claim they “didn’t see” the person, or that the pedestrian “came out of nowhere.” We don’t accept those excuses at face value. Our team examines traffic camera footage, reviews cell phone records for distraction evidence, analyzes vehicle damage patterns, and interviews witnesses who can establish exactly what happened. Attorney Ryan Polchinski has practiced for 11 years and earned a published appellate opinion from the Court of Civil Appeals before age 30—the kind of legal recognition that reflects our commitment to thorough, aggressive case preparation. Pedestrians deserve the same rigorous investigation that any other injured person receives.

A History of Standing Up for Vulnerable Clients

Attorney Houston Smith brings 35 years of practice and holds bar admissions in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas. Attorney Andrew Polchinski has tried multiple jury trials to verdict during his 8 years of practice. Together, the attorneys at Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers have spent their careers representing injured people against insurance companies and corporate defendants. They’ve learned that pedestrian victims are often treated dismissively by insurers who assume they can lowball someone without representation. That assumption changes when our firm gets involved.

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“Ryan was very informative through the entire process. He took time to answer all of my questions. Very satisfied with his professionalism.” – Melissa Ellington

Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Norman

Pedestrians face dangers on Norman streets, parking lots, and sidewalks that drivers rarely consider. A moment of inattention behind the wheel can permanently alter someone’s life. Here are the pedestrian accident cases we handle throughout Norman, OK and Cleveland County:

• Crosswalk collisions. Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks cause devastating injuries. Oklahoma law requires vehicles to stop for pedestrians who have entered the crosswalk, but many drivers ignore this duty entirely.

• Intersection accidents. Right-turning vehicles frequently strike pedestrians who have the walk signal. Drivers focused on traffic gaps may not notice people on foot until it’s too late.

• Parking lot incidents. Low-speed impacts still cause serious harm when a vehicle strikes someone on foot. Backing vehicles, distracted drivers cutting through lots, and poor lighting contribute to these crashes.

• Distracted driving crashes. Drivers looking at phones, adjusting GPS, or otherwise not watching the road pose severe risks to pedestrians. We subpoena cell phone records when distraction appears to be a factor.

• Drunk and impaired driver accidents. Impaired drivers have reduced reaction times and impaired judgment. When they strike pedestrians, the injuries are often catastrophic. Punitive damages may be available in these cases.

• Hit-and-run incidents. Drivers who flee after striking a pedestrian leave victims without immediate help and obvious recourse. We help clients pursue claims through their own uninsured motorist coverage while working with law enforcement to identify responsible parties.

• Sidewalk and driveway accidents. Vehicles that jump curbs or drivers who fail to look before exiting driveways can strike pedestrians in spaces that should be safe. Property owners may share liability when design or maintenance issues contribute.

Oklahoma Legal Requirements for Pedestrian Accident Claims

Oklahoma law establishes specific rules governing pedestrian and driver responsibilities. Understanding these rules matters because insurance companies will use any technical argument to reduce what they pay.

Under Oklahoma Statute §47-11-502, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. When a pedestrian is on the half of the roadway where the vehicle is traveling—or close enough on the opposite half to be in danger—the driver must stop. The law also prohibits vehicles from passing others that have stopped for pedestrians at crosswalks.

Oklahoma Statute §47-11-503 addresses pedestrian responsibilities when crossing outside of crosswalks. Pedestrians crossing at points other than marked or unmarked crosswalks must yield to vehicles. However, this doesn’t give drivers permission to strike pedestrians, even those crossing unlawfully.

Oklahoma’s two-year statute of limitations under Oklahoma Statute §12-95 applies to pedestrian injury claims. The comparative negligence rule under Okla. Stat. Tit. 23 §13 also applies—if you’re found partially at fault, your recovery will be reduced proportionally. At 51% or more fault, you recover nothing. Insurance companies often try to blame pedestrians for accidents regardless of actual fault.

What Damages Are Recoverable in Norman Pedestrian Accident Cases?

Pedestrian accidents typically result in damages that far exceed what’s common in vehicle-on-vehicle crashes. Without the protection of a car’s safety features, the human body absorbs tremendous force.

Economic damages in pedestrian cases often include extended hospital stays, multiple surgeries, months or years of physical rehabilitation, and permanent disability accommodations. Many pedestrian accident survivors cannot return to their previous occupations, making future lost earnings a significant component of their claims. The CDC’s pedestrian safety data documents the severe injury patterns typical of these collisions and the long recovery periods involved.

Non-economic damages recognize the profound impact these injuries have on daily life. Chronic pain, cognitive difficulties from head trauma, loss of mobility, emotional trauma, and the inability to participate in activities that once brought joy—these are real losses that deserve compensation. Disfigurement from road rash, scarring, and surgical interventions adds another dimension to non-economic harm.

When drivers were impaired, texting, or engaged in other reckless behavior, punitive damages may also be available to punish that conduct and deter similar behavior by others.

Norman, OK Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Pedestrian safety has become a growing concern both nationally and in Oklahoma. The numbers reveal troubling trends that show no sign of reversing.

According to NHTSA pedestrian safety data, 7,314 pedestrians died in traffic crashes nationwide in 2023, and more than 68,000 were injured. Between 2009 and 2023, pedestrian deaths rose approximately 80% while all other traffic fatalities increased just 13%. Pedestrians now account for nearly 18% of all traffic deaths despite representing a tiny fraction of road users.

The circumstances of these deaths are revealing. Per NHTSA data, approximately 74% of pedestrian fatalities occur in dark conditions, 76% happen at non-intersection locations, and 83% occur in urban areas. Nearly one in four fatal pedestrian crashes are hit-and-runs where the driver flees the scene.

In Oklahoma specifically, the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reported 103 pedestrian fatalities in 2023 and 104 in 2021. That translates to roughly two pedestrians killed every week on Oklahoma roads. Norman, with its mix of university foot traffic, commercial districts, and residential neighborhoods connected by major arterials like Lindsey Street and Main Street, sees its share of these incidents.

Steps To Take After a Pedestrian Accident in Norman

The moments following a pedestrian accident are chaotic and frightening. Your body is in shock. You may not fully understand what happened. But the decisions made in these early hours and days shape the trajectory of your recovery—both physical and legal.

• At the Scene. Don’t move unless you’re in immediate danger of being struck again. Spinal injuries are common in pedestrian accidents, and moving can make them worse. Wait for emergency responders who can properly stabilize you before transport.

Call 911 or ask someone nearby to call. Oklahoma law requires accident reporting when injuries occur. Beyond the legal requirement, you need that official documentation of what happened while the evidence is fresh.

If you’re physically able, try to identify the driver and vehicle. License plate, make and model, driver description. If the driver attempts to leave, witnesses may be able to capture this information. Hit-and-run pedestrian cases are notoriously difficult to resolve without identifying information.

Ask anyone who stopped to witness what happened for their contact information. Witness accounts become crucial when drivers later claim the pedestrian “came out of nowhere.”

• During Your Recovery. Follow every medical recommendation without exception. Pedestrian injuries frequently include complications that only emerge days or weeks later—internal bleeding, swelling of the brain, infections from road debris in wounds. Missing appointments or ignoring symptoms gives insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries weren’t as serious as claimed.

Document everything about your injuries and recovery. Photograph bruising, wounds, surgical sites, and medical equipment. Keep a journal of pain levels, sleep disruption, mobility limitations, and emotional struggles. Track how your injuries affect your ability to perform basic tasks.

Before speaking with the driver’s insurance company, talk to an attorney. Insurance representatives who call offering help are actually building a case to minimize your payout. Let a lawyer handle those conversations while you focus on healing.

Important Local Resources for Norman Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents demand immediate medical intervention and careful documentation. The resources below serve Cleveland County residents navigating recovery after being struck by a vehicle.

• Norman Regional Hospital Emergency Department – 901 N Porter Avenue, Norman, OK 73071 – (405) 307-1000. Level III Trauma Center with orthopedic surgery, neurology, and critical care capabilities essential for serious pedestrian injuries. Emergency department sees over 70,000 patients annually.

• Norman Regional Nine – 2000 Ann Branden Boulevard, Norman, OK 73071 – (405) 307-1000. Free-standing emergency department on Norman’s east side with 24-hour emergency services, CT imaging, and laboratory facilities.

• Norman Police Department – 201 W Gray Street, Norman, OK 73069 – (405) 321-1444. Handles accident reports for pedestrian collisions within Norman city limits. Request the incident number for insurance and legal purposes.

• Service Oklahoma – Collision reports for incidents investigated by Oklahoma Highway Patrol can be requested using the Collision Request for Records Form. Standard copies cost $7; certified copies are $10.

• Cleveland County Courthouse – 200 S Peters Avenue, Norman, OK 73069 – (405) 366-0240. Handles civil litigation including pedestrian injury lawsuits.

• NHTSA Pedestrian Safety Resources – Federal pedestrian safety information, statistics, and research relevant to understanding national trends affecting local communities.

• Norman Physical Therapy Providers – Pedestrian injuries typically require extensive rehabilitation. Norman Regional Health System and private practices throughout Cleveland County offer outpatient physical and occupational therapy services.

Contact Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers

Pedestrians injured by negligent drivers deserve attorneys who recognize the severity of these cases and fight accordingly. Insurance companies often try to blame pedestrians for their own injuries—we don’t let them get away with that.

At Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. During your free consultation, we’ll review the circumstances of your accident, explain Oklahoma pedestrian law as it applies to your situation, and provide an honest evaluation of your claim. We understand that you may be dealing with overwhelming medical bills and uncertain employment status—that’s why we move quickly on these cases.

Contact Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers today to discuss your personal injury case.