Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Brookline, MA
$100+
millions recovered
25+ years
in business
100+
verdicts
Being struck by a vehicle while on foot is rarely a minor event. Pedestrians tend to suffer more serious injuries than the occupants of the vehicles that hit them, and often face a long recovery on top of an insurance process that may try to shift blame. A Brookline pedestrian accident lawyer at DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. can investigate how the collision happened, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue the compensation your injuries warrant.
Why Brookline Pedestrian Accident Victims Choose DOLAN CONNLY, P.C.
Since 2000, DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. has represented injured pedestrians and their families throughout Massachusetts, and we understand that these claims are rarely as simple as “the driver didn’t see me.” Insurers routinely look for a reason to argue that the person on foot shares some of the blame.
- We Are Trial-Ready Lawyers: Our attorneys have tried personal injury cases in Massachusetts courts for more than twenty-five years and prepare every pedestrian accident claim as though it may end up in front of a jury.
- An Insurance Industry Perspective: Attorney Gregory A. Connly, a former United States Marine Corps Judge Advocate General and former insurance defense attorney, built our firm around a clear understanding of how carriers evaluate and try to minimize pedestrian injury claims.
- Direct Access to Your Attorney: You will work with the pedestrian accident lawyer handling your case, not a rotating cast of case managers, and you will always know where your claim stands.
Brookline’s dense mix of transit, retail, schools, and residential streets means pedestrians share the road constantly, and when a driver’s mistake puts someone in the crosswalk at risk, our personal injury attorneys in Brookline take that responsibility personally.
Millions Secured for Clients Across Massachusetts
$1,006,330.03
Greg Connly of DOLAN CONNLY represented a client who was a former MBTA trolley operator and a member of the affiliated Union. She alleged in her lawsuit filed in Suffolk Superior Court that the Union had not advocated for her by failing to take her case to arbitration after she was wrongfully terminated by the MBTA. The client was a native of Haiti and alleged that this failure by the Union to advocate on her behalf, was based on her race and national origin. The client had been the subject of egregious discrimination from some members of the Union.
The trial began on October 29, 2018 in Suffolk Superior Court. The jury found in favor of the client and awarded her $490,500.00 in emotional distress damages. Prejudgment interest of $179,771.19 and statutory costs were added to the verdict bringing the total amount of the judgment to $670,556.19. The Judge then allowed an additional award of attorney’s fees in the amount of $150,000.00 plus $8,733.40 in costs. The total amount of the judgment and fees owed to the client after the Superior Court trial was $829,289.59. The Union then appealed the verdict to the Massachusetts Court of Appeals. Greg Connly represented the client during the entire appeal process. On August 4, 2020, a decision came down from the Massachusetts Appeals Court. The Appeals Court upheld the Superior Court judgment. Further, the Appeals Court awarded attorney’s fees in the Appeals Court case in the amount of $27,355.00. Post-judgment interest that accrued during the appeal was also added.
On November 24, 2020, the Union paid to the client the amount of $1,006,330.03.
This case that was handled by Attorney Greg Connly of DOLAN CONNLY went from one on the verge of dismissal, to one in which there was a recovery in excess of a million dollars. No settlement offer had ever been made by the Union prior to the Superior Court trial.
$4,426,180.35
Greg Connly of DOLAN CONNLY tried a case in September of 2018 in the Worcester Superior Court. The case alleged chiropractic malpractice. The plaintiff/client was an 81-year-old gentleman who had a manipulation to adjust his pelvis done by the defendant/chiropractor. The negligent performance of this manipulation resulted in the breaking of his prosthetic knee. The client reported that he heard an audible popping sound and felt immediate pain at the time of the adjustment. The prosthetic knee had to be surgically repaired fourteen days later. The chiropractor testified that he had no memory of the treatment and he testified that he did not perform the adjustment described by the client. Greg Connly and Barbara Connly of DOLAN CONNLY worked on the case for over seven years. During the trial, Greg Connly put together the facts and expert testimony supporting the client’s position into a coherent credible case for the jury.
On September 14, 2018, the Worcester Superior Court jury came back with a verdict in favor of the plaintiff/client. DOLAN CONNLY’S client was awarded $750,000.00 in past and future medical expenses and $3,000,000.00 in pain and suffering. Including interest, the total judgment was $4,426,180.35. No offer had ever been made by the defense to settle the case. The verdict was appealed by the defense attorney. The case resolved during the appeal process with the 88-year-old client receiving a significant financial settlement, above and beyond any other comparable Massachusetts settlement or verdict for such injuries. Click here to see the actual court docket.
$3,680,187.78
Greg Connly of DOLAN CONNLY tried a case in the Brockton Superior Court in November of 2011. The plaintiff/client was a forty-two-year-old chef working for a third-party food service company at the defendant’s corporate cafeteria. The plaintiff sustained an electric shock when a dishwasher, provided for his use by the defendant, malfunctioned when he pressed the off button on the control panel. The machine was leaking water that came in contact with a live electrical circuit behind the control panel. Greg Connly was able to prove at trial that the defendant corporation was responsible for maintenance of the dishwasher and that it was in a hazardous and unsafe condition. It was discovered that the dishwasher had various mechanical problems after its initial installation and employees of the defendant failed to properly maintain it. The plaintiff suffered a traumatic brain injury, major depression, panic disorder, cognitive impairment and post-traumatic stress disorder. Following the electric shock, the plaintiff who had received excellent work reviews over the years, struggled at his job due to the effects of the traumatic brain injury. He never regained his previous high-level functioning in his occupation and was forced to stop working altogether.
On November 29, 2011, the Brockton Superior Court jury came back with a verdict in favor of the plaintiff/client. DOLAN CONNLY’S client was awarded $2,500,000.00 in past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost earning capacity. Including interest in the amount of $1,180,187.78, the final award was $3,680,187.78. The last offer by the defendant corporation to settle the case before trial was $50,000.00. The verdict was appealed by the defense, but the judgement was paid in full after the trial transcripts were reviewed by appellate counsel. Click here to see the actual court docket.
$475,000.00
A client from Reading was injured when his vehicle was struck by another vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on a one-way street. Our client suffered a worsening of a pre-existing cervical disc protrusion that required surgical repair, as well as injuries to his lower back. He received an insurance claim settlement of $475,000.00. This amount represented the total motor vehicle insurance policy limit for the at-fault driver in the amount of $250,000.00, plus $225,000.00 from an umbrella insurance policy.
$750,000.00
A client from Windham, NH sustained a dog bite in the course of his employment as an electrician. The client was working on an electrical project outside a home when he was asked by the homeowner to enter the home to look at another project. The homeowner did not restrain his Weimaraner dog while our client was in the home, despite knowing the dog was not comfortable with unfamiliar people being present in the residence. When our client was in the process of walking from one room to another, the dog unexpectedly bit him in the back of his leg. The client tried to get the dog to unlock its grip on his leg and in the process, he twisted his back. In addition to the dog bite, the client sustained significant injuries to his low back, hip and groin, including radiating pain into his legs and feet. The client underwent treatment including fusion surgery to his back and hip surgery to repair a labral tear. We represented the client in litigation filed against the homeowner. This litigation was settled during mediation for $750,000.00.
Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Brookline, MA
Pedestrian safety is an ongoing concern in Brookline. The Town’s Vision Zero Action Plan, adopted in April 2025, reports more than 1,800 crashes on Brookline streets between 2019 and 2023, resulting in more than 350 injuries and three deaths. The Town’s Vision Zero materials also identify Coolidge Corner and Brookline Village as notable pedestrian crash clusters.
Brookline’s street layout creates a range of situations in which pedestrians can be injured. Our attorneys frequently handle claims involving:
- Pedestrians struck in marked crosswalks
- Pedestrian accidents at intersections
- Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians
- Right-turn and right-on-red pedestrian accidents
- Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents
- School-zone pedestrian accidents
- Distracted or impaired drivers
- Speeding and other traffic violations
- Nighttime and low-visibility crashes
- Parking lot and driveway accidents
- Pedestrians struck by MBTA buses or vehicles
- Fatal pedestrian accidents and wrongful death claims
Every pedestrian accident has different facts that can affect who is responsible. Our Brookline pedestrian accident lawyers investigate the scene, traffic signals, witness accounts, video footage, and other evidence to determine how the crash happened and build the strongest possible claim for compensation.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Brookline Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Massachusetts law gives pedestrians specific protections at marked crosswalks. Under M.G.L. c. 89, § 11, when traffic signals are not in place or operating, drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing within a properly marked crosswalk in the circumstances described by the statute. The law also requires an investigation when a pedestrian is injured by a motor vehicle in a marked crosswalk.
Drivers turning right on a red signal also must yield to pedestrians proceeding according to the signal.
Depending on the circumstances, your pedestrian accident attorney in Brookline may seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Ambulance transportation, emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, medication, and future medical treatment.
- Lost income: Wages lost while recovering and reduced earning capacity when injuries affect your ability to work.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and the effect of the injury on your daily life.
- Permanent injuries: Compensation related to lasting disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, scarring, disfigurement, and other permanent impairments.
- Property damage: Damage to personal property, such as a bicycle, phone, or mobility device, when legally recoverable.
- Wrongful death: In a fatal pedestrian accident, eligible family members may pursue damages under the Massachusetts Wrongful Death Statute.
Massachusetts Comparative Negligence and Pedestrian Accidents
Being partly responsible for a pedestrian accident does not necessarily prevent you from recovering compensation. Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Your damages may be reduced according to your percentage of fault, but you cannot recover if your share of fault is greater than the fault of the defendant.
Crossing outside a marked crosswalk or against a signal does not automatically bar recovery. The driver’s speed, attention, visibility, and actions before the crash still matter.
An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Brookline can investigate the evidence and push back when an insurance company tries to put more blame on you than the facts support.
How PIP Insurance Works After a Pedestrian Accident
Massachusetts PIP insurance can help cover medical expenses and certain lost wages after a pedestrian is hit by a car, regardless of fault. PIP generally provides up to $8,000 in benefits, but determining which policy applies can be complicated, especially after a hit-and-run or uninsured-driver accident.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys can help identify the available insurance coverage while also pursuing a Massachusetts personal injury claim against the person or parties responsible for causing your injuries.
We advance all costs.
You pay nothing unless we secure compensation for your injuries.
How Does a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Brookline Handle Your Claim?
A pedestrian accident can turn on a few seconds of video, the position of a vehicle, the timing of a traffic signal, or what a witness remembers seeing. Evidence can disappear quickly, so investigating the crash early matters. From the moment you contact us, we take control of your claim so you can focus on recovery.
✓ Preserving surveillance and camera footage: Business cameras, vehicle cameras, and other footage may capture the collision or what happened immediately beforehand. We work to identify and preserve relevant evidence.
✓ Reconstructing the crash: We examine the location of the collision, traffic signals, crosswalk markings, visibility, vehicle positions, and other physical evidence.
✓ Investigating driver negligence: Speeding, distraction, impairment, failure to yield, and other violations may help establish how the crash occurred.
✓ Finding available insurance coverage: We investigate PIP, bodily injury liability, uninsured motorist coverage, and other potentially available sources of compensation.
✓ Identifying claims involving public entities: Accidents involving the MBTA or another government entity can involve different procedures and shorter deadlines.
✓ Preparing for litigation: If the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer, we are prepared to pursue the case in court, including in Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham when appropriate. The Norfolk County Superior Court serves communities throughout Norfolk County.
What clients often remember is having a lawyer who is there, answers the phone, explains what is happening, and makes them feel comfortable and informed. We work to make the process less overwhelming while giving you confidence that your case is in good hands.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Brookline?
The statute of limitations in Massachusetts gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims involving public entities, such as the MBTA or Town of Brookline, generally require written notice within two years and have additional requirements.
Do not wait until the filing deadline approaches. Surveillance footage may be overwritten, vehicles may be repaired or sold, and witnesses can become difficult to locate. Contacting our Brookline pedestrian accident attorneys early gives us more opportunity to preserve the evidence needed to build your claim.
Client Testimonials
The legal council I received from DOLAN CONNLY starting with the initial office visit to the settlement of my personal injury case was very helpful when I needed it most. They helped me navigate all the options and told me in plain English what to expect. I was a cooperative client and provided them with all the documentation they required and was patient allowing the legal process to unfold all of which they appreciated. Given the extent of damages I incurred from the accident I was pleased with the total compensation I received.
Kathleen Allen has been our attorney for a few properties and we have sold and have been very happy and satisfied with her professional care in these transactions. There is a very easy way about her, as these things can be very stressful. She was always right there for any concerns or questions that we had. I would highly recommend her to my friends and family.
I have closed on two houses with DOLAN CONNLY in the past 10 years. In July 2022, I worked with Kathleen Allen on a closing and was extremely impressed with her professionalism, honestly, and attention to detail. She was the only party to notice a trust was expiring weeks before the planned closing date. Her keen eye resulted in the seller extending the trust and preventing a delay in the closing.
-Sam
Excellent service ! Barry McIsaac was prompt and effective in dealing my claim case. We need more attorneys like him to help hold big companies accountable. I’d recommend Barry and the DOLAN CONNLY firm to anyone.
I worked with Kathleen Allen to purchase my first home in Boston and she was incredible! The seller and I were not working with real estate agents, but Kathleen went above and beyond to make the closing process smooth. I was able to close on time due to her advocating and watching over me. I could not have bought this home without her help. I highly recommend anyone looking for a knowledgeable, quick, and advocating attorney to contact her to purchase a home.
Speak to a Brookline Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
After a serious pedestrian accident, you should not have to deal with the insurance company while also trying to recover from your injuries. A Brookline pedestrian accident lawyer at DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. can investigate the crash, handle communications with insurers, and pursue the compensation available under Massachusetts law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about pedestrian accidents, insurance claims, and Massachusetts law. For more information, contact our personal injury law firm today.
What should I do immediately after being hit by a car in Brookline, MA?
Call 911 and seek medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. If you can, collect the driver’s information, photograph the scene, note the intersection or crosswalk, and get witness contact information. Do not admit fault or give a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. Contact a Brookline pedestrian accident attorney at our firm as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve important evidence.
Who pays my medical bills after a pedestrian accident in Brookline?
PIP coverage may pay covered medical expenses and certain lost wages after a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, regardless of who caused the accident. Massachusetts PIP coverage generally provides up to $8,000 in benefits, although how benefits coordinate with health insurance and other coverage can depend on the circumstances.
What if I was not in a marked crosswalk when I was hit?
You may still have a pedestrian accident claim. Being outside a marked crosswalk or crossing against a signal can be considered when determining fault, but it does not automatically prevent recovery. Massachusetts comparative negligence law reduces damages according to the pedestrian’s share of fault, rather than barring recovery altogether. The only bar to recovery is if the plaintiff’s share of fault exceeds the defendant’s fault.
What happens if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
A hit-and-run does not necessarily leave you without a source of compensation. PIP benefits may be available, and uninsured motorist coverage can provide protection against injuries caused by an unidentified or uninsured driver. Massachusetts law also contains specific rules for claims involving an unidentified motor vehicle, including a requirement to notify the police and Registrar of Motor Vehicles within 30 days in certain circumstances.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for a pedestrian accident in Brookline, MA?
Potentially, yes. Massachusetts uses a modified comparative negligence rule, so your compensation can be reduced according to your percentage of fault, but you cannot recover if your percentage of fault is greater than the defendant’s fault.
What if I was hit by an MBTA bus or Green Line Trolley in Brookline?
An accident involving the MBTA can involve different procedures because the MBTA is a public entity. Claims against a public employer require written notice (called presentment) within two years, and additional rules can apply before a lawsuit may proceed. Because these deadlines and requirements can affect your right to recover, it is important to speak with a lawyer promptly after an MBTA pedestrian accident.
What does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer in Brookline?
DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. handles pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront attorney fees. The attorney is paid only if compensation is obtained through a settlement or verdict. Your initial consultation is free, and you can discuss your case and potential legal options before deciding whether to move forward.