A person on foot has no protection against a vehicle, so when a driver fails to yield, the injuries are often catastrophic. If you or someone you love was struck as a pedestrian anywhere in Hampton Roads, Decker Law can help — establishing the driver’s fault, standing up to the insurers, and pursuing the full cost of a serious injury. For more than 60 years, we’ve represented injured people across Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and the region. Call 757-622-3317 for a free consultation, available 24/7.
WHEN A DRIVER FAILS TO YIELD TO A PEDESTRIAN
Virginia law protects people on foot. Drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing at intersections and marked crosswalks (Va. Code § 46.2-924), and a driver who ignores that duty — turning without looking, speeding through a crossing, or distracted behind the wheel — is responsible for the harm that follows. Because pedestrian injuries tend to be severe, these cases carry real weight, and proving the driver failed to yield is where they’re won.
Expect a fight over fault. Insurers routinely argue the pedestrian “darted out” or crossed where they shouldn’t have, and Virginia’s pure contributory negligence rule makes that argument dangerous — if they can assign you even a small share of blame, they can deny the claim entirely. Overcoming it takes evidence: crosswalk markings, signal timing, witness accounts, and often camera footage. We move quickly to gather it before it’s gone.
PEDESTRIAN CRASHES BY THE NUMBERS
1,500+
pedestrians injured on Virginia roads each year
130+
pedestrians killed on Virginia roads in recent years
60+
years Decker Law has fought for the injured in Hampton Roads
PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS: WHAT TO KNOW
Who has the right of way in Virginia?
Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing at intersections and marked crosswalks (Va. Code § 46.2-924). A driver who fails to yield, turns without looking, or speeds through a crossing can be held liable.
What if I was crossing outside a crosswalk?
You may still have a claim, but expect the insurer to argue you were at fault. Because Virginia follows pure contributory negligence, how that question is handled is critical — which is exactly where a lawyer helps.
What compensation can I recover?
Medical bills, lost wages, future care, and pain and suffering — and in the most tragic cases, a wrongful-death claim for the family. Pedestrian injuries are often serious, so the stakes are high.
What should I do after being struck?
Get medical attention immediately, and if you can, note the location, the crossing signals, and any witnesses. Then contact a lawyer before giving the driver’s insurer a statement.
WHY THE INJURED CHOOSE DECKER
We win the fault fight
“They darted out” is the insurer’s script. We answer it with crosswalk evidence and witnesses.
We move fast
Signal timing and camera footage don’t last long. We lock them down before they vanish.
We know these streets
Six decades in Hampton Roads courts and the intersections they argue over.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Martin Thomas
Martin Thomas is the firm’s president and managing attorney, concentrating on personal injury, criminal, and traffic law. He handles multimillion-dollar injury cases throughout Virginia and has been named to Super Lawyers for personal injury.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Cole Roberts
A Norfolk native and former Public Defender, Cole Roberts represents clients in criminal defense and traffic matters, from reckless driving and DUI to serious felonies. He has tried numerous jury cases across the seven Hampton Roads cities.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Martin Thomas, Jr.
Martin Thomas, Jr. focuses on personal injury, criminal, and traffic law, along with contract law and civil litigation. He tries cases in the courts of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake, and serves on Norfolk City Council.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Joel Weintraub
Joel Weintraub has been practicing law for over 40 years and focuses his practice on civil litigation involving disputes between individuals and corporations. Joel’s recent cases involve corporate litigation, personal injury, business law, will and trust contests and interpretation, shareholder rights, and estate administration.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Peter Decker, III
Peter Decker, III focuses his practice on criminal, traffic, and personal injury. He regularly practices in the General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Suffolk and Newport News.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Jeffrey Partington
A Virginia Beach native, Jeffrey Partington serves clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and business law, and has worked both sides of the aisle. He practices in the courts of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Suffolk.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Michelle Parker
Michelle Parker concentrates on personal injury, elder law, wills, trusts and estates, litigation, corporate law, and criminal defense. She handles civil, probate, and traffic cases throughout the seven cities of Greater Hampton Roads.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
George Neskis
George Neskis represents clients charged with criminal and traffic offenses — from DUI and reckless driving to felony matters — and also handles personal injury. A former Norfolk Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, he practices across all seven Hampton Roads cities and has been named to Super Lawyers for criminal defense.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Joseph Rigney
A Chesapeake native and former prosecutor, Joseph Rigney focuses on personal injury and criminal defense, including traffic law. He tries both civil and criminal cases in the courts of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News.
Pedestrian cases often come down to right-of-way and evidence that fades fast. The sooner we start, the more we can prove. Reach us by text, chat, phone, or email — or call right now at 757-622-3317.
KEEP UP WITH DECKER LAW
December 2 2025
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