A pedestrian who is hit by a vehicle and survives will likely have suffered serious or even catastrophic injuries. The costs of treatment and therapy, as well as the effects of a permanent disability, can have a massive economic impact on the victim. It’s important to understand the multiple means available to seek compensation for injuries and losses suffered. 

A pedestrian’s sources of recovery can include the following:

• Liability insurance of the vehicle’s driver — Connecticut law mandates that all motor vehicle drivers maintain bodily injury liability insurance. As of 2025, the minimum coverage required is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. When a pedestrian is hit, the driver’s liability insurance is generally the primary means of compensation. This coverage pays for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses suffered as a result of the driver’s negligence. If, for example, a negligent driver runs a red light or fails to yield to a crossing pedestrian, their insurance may be required to pay up to the policy limits for the pedestrian’s injuries or losses.

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) — If the driver is uninsured, flees the scene and is not found, or carries insufficient liability coverage to fully compensate the injured pedestrian, Connecticut permits recovery under an uninsured/underinsured motorist policy. This policy may belong to the pedestrian or to a household member whose policy covers the pedestrian as a resident relative. The state minimum UM/UIM coverage, as of 2025, is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. The victim can collect up to the difference between their losses and any payment from the at-fault driver’s insurer, subject to policy limits.

• Medical payments (MedPay) coverage — Many Connecticut auto insurance policies offer optional MedPay coverage, which pays for medical expenses incurred by the insured, family members or sometimes other occupants, regardless of fault. MedPay generally provides immediate assistance for medical bills up to policy limits, which are often modest ($1,000–$10,000). If the injured pedestrian has MedPay on their own or a household member’s policy, they can access this coverage even before liability is established. 

• The driver’s own resources — If a pedestrian’s damages exceed the liability insurance coverage held by the at-fault driver, the pedestrian may pursue the driver for the remaining balance of the damages. This requires filing a lawsuit and proving liability and losses in court. Through discovery and asset searches, it is possible to identify real estate, bank accounts, or other assets that could be seized or used to satisfy a judgment if the court rules in the pedestrian’s favor.

Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence rule. A pedestrian who is found to be partly at fault for an accident — such as by jaywalking, ignoring traffic signals or being distracted by a cellphone or headphones — will have their damages reduced by their percentage of negligence. If a victim is found to be 51 percent or more at fault, they are barred from any recovery. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can help you prepare an evidentiary case that limits your extent of fault.

At Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. in Hamden and East Haven, we represent pedestrians injured on Connecticut streets and roadways. To schedule a free consultation, please call 203-745-0942 or contact us online.