Pedestrian Safety in Chapel Hill, NC: Staying Safe and Knowing Your Rights
By Adam J. Langino, Esq.
Introduction
Pedestrian safety is a growing concern in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a vibrant college town home to the University of North Carolina. Chapel Hill boasts a population of around 62,000 residents and is known for its historic Franklin Street and walkable campus environment. Yet even in this community—nicknamed the “Southern Part of Heaven”—recent incidents show that pedestrians face real dangers on local roads. 1 2 In this article, we’ll discuss the risks pedestrians encounter in Chapel Hill, steps being taken to improve safety, and what you can do to protect yourself. We’ll also explain why having an experienced attorney on your side matters if you or a loved one is injured, and why Adam Langino is uniquely qualified to help.
Pedestrian Dangers on Chapel Hill Roads
Busy Thoroughfares: In June 2025, a pedestrian was struck and killed on Fordham Boulevard, one of the town’s busiest roads. 3 This tragedy was Chapel Hill’s first fatal pedestrian accident of 2025, and it happened along a stretch of highway with no sidewalks in place. 4 5 It highlights how dangerous high-speed corridors like Fordham Blvd can be for people on foot.
Downtown Streets: Even Chapel Hill’s central streets have seen serious incidents. In June 2024, for example, a pedestrian was hit by a car on East Franklin Street in the heart of downtown. 6 Franklin Street’s mix of heavy traffic and foot traffic can create perilous situations if drivers aren’t vigilant.
School Zones: On December 31, 2021, two young teenagers (ages 13 and 14) were struck by an SUV while using a marked crosswalk on Estes Drive. They were badly injured—one with life-threatening injuries—and police later charged the 69-year-old driver for failing to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. 7 8 9 In this case, westbound drivers had stopped to let the kids cross, but an approaching driver in the opposite lane did not, resulting in a terrible outcome. 10 This incident shook the community and prompted residents to push for safer crossings. Neighbors even organized a pedestrian safety awareness walk on Estes Drive to urge drivers to slow down and watch for people crossing the street. 11 12
These examples illustrate a reality: pedestrian crashes can happen anywhere – whether on a highway lacking sidewalks or in a marked crosswalk by a school. Chapel Hill averages between 15 and 25 pedestrian-vehicle crashes each year, often concentrated on high-traffic, high-speed roads like Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Fordham Boulevard, and NC Highway 54. 13 Local officials have acknowledged the problem. The town has adopted a Vision Zero initiative aiming to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2031, and police have stepped up crosswalk enforcement to remind drivers of pedestrians’ right-of-way. 14 15 Still, achieving zero fatalities will require vigilance and cooperation from everyone on the road.
Why Are Pedestrian Crashes Increasing?
Chapel Hill’s experience reflects a broader nationwide trend: pedestrian injuries and deaths have been on the rise over the past decade. Pedestrian-vehicle crashes surged 53% nationwide between 2009 and 2018, according to research by UNC’s Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety. 16 Fatalities, which had been declining in the early 2000s, began climbing again around 2008 and have continued to grow each year. 17 There are several factors contributing to this increase:
Higher Vehicle Speeds: Speed is perhaps the most critical factor. Modern cars can accelerate faster and travel at higher speeds than ever, especially on roads designed for quick traffic. 18 Unfortunately, when a driver is moving faster, they have less time to see and react to a pedestrian, and any collision is more likely to cause severe injury. As safety expert Dr. Laura Sandt notes, “Going 35 in a car doesn’t feel fast, but the likelihood of you seeing a pedestrian… and being able to stop in time goes way down” compared to driving at 20–25 mph. 19 The data shows that small reductions in speed can dramatically improve safety: at a 35 mph travel speed, drivers almost never yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, whereas at 25 mph they yield much more frequently. 20 Simply put, slowing down saves lives.
Driver Inattention: Distracted driving is another major concern. Our cars are filled with screens and gadgets – GPS, touchscreens, smartphones – that can tempt drivers to take their eyes off the road. It’s hard to measure exactly how many crashes are due to distraction (drivers aren’t always willing to admit it), but experts “certainly have a sense that distraction may be affecting drivers”, creating cognitive overload and delayed reaction times. 21 Pedestrians, by contrast, are usually not the distracted ones. Studies indicate pedestrian distraction (like looking at a phone while walking) is not a leading cause of these accidents – far more often, it’s drivers who fail to notice people crossing. 22
Road and Vehicle Design: Some streets simply aren’t designed with walkers in mind. The deadly Fordham Boulevard crash happened on a stretch with no sidewalks or safe pedestrian crossings nearby. 23 24 Wide, multi-lane roads encourage higher speeds and make it harder for drivers to spot pedestrians. At night, poor lighting can also be a factor; there’s a trend of many crashes happening in low-light conditions. 25 On top of that, today’s vehicles tend to be larger (think SUVs and trucks) with higher front grills, which unfortunately cause more serious injuries to pedestrians than smaller cars would. All these factors have created what one UNC expert calls a “silent epidemic” of rising pedestrian danger. 26
What can be done? Safety advocates recommend a mix of personal caution and systemic changes. As a pedestrian, you should always use marked crosswalks or intersections when available, make eye contact with drivers if possible, and stay visible (wear bright clothing or carry a light at night). As a driver, it’s crucial to slow down in pedestrian-heavy areas, eliminate distractions, and always yield to people in crosswalks – it’s not just courteous, it’s the law. Chapel Hill’s police chief emphasized that drivers have a legal duty to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and that failing to do so can lead to serious charges, as we saw in the Estes Drive incident. 27 28 The city is also working on engineering improvements like better crosswalk lighting and signage at trouble spots. 29 30 These combined efforts – enforcement, road design, and education – are all aimed at making Chapel Hill safer for walkers.
After an Accident: Understanding Your Rights and Legal Options
Even with all precautions, accidents can still happen. If you or a loved one is hit by a vehicle, it’s important to know you have rights and options to seek help. North Carolina law allows injured pedestrians (or their families) to pursue a negligence lawsuit against a driver who caused the accident. Negligence simply means the driver failed to use reasonable care – for example, by speeding, running a red light, or not yielding in a crosswalk. The driver in such cases may be held liable for the harm caused. In the Phillips Middle School crosswalk case, for instance, the driver’s failure to yield was deemed a violation of traffic laws, and charges were brought accordingly. 31 That kind of conduct would also constitute negligence in a civil injury claim.
What can an injury claim cover? In a successful claim, the at-fault driver (through their insurance) must compensate the victim for their losses. This includes economic costs like medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages from time missed at work, as well as non-economic harm like pain, suffering, and lasting changes to quality of life. These "pain and suffering" damages can be significant, especially in severe injury cases. 32 For example, a pedestrian who suffers permanent disability or disfigurement will likely endure extensive physical pain and emotional distress – and our civil justice system recognizes that with monetary compensation (even though no amount of money can truly make up for such trauma). It’s worth noting that if the worst occurs and someone is killed, North Carolina law enables the family to bring a wrongful death claim to recover funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages on behalf of their loved one. These legal avenues exist to hold negligent drivers accountable and to help victims rebuild their lives.
However, insurance companies and at-fault parties often resist paying full compensation. They may argue over who was at fault, or downplay the severity of injuries, or pressure you into a quick, low settlement. This is where having a skilled personal injury attorney is invaluable. An attorney can investigate the crash, gather evidence (like traffic camera footage or witness statements), work with accident reconstruction experts if needed, and build a strong case that proves the driver’s negligence. When the insurer sees that you have a determined lawyer ready to take the case to court if necessary, they’re far more likely to offer a fair settlement. And if they don’t, your attorney can take the case to a jury and advocate for your rights there.
Why Choose Adam Langino and Langino Law?
Adam J. Langino is the founding attorney of Langino Law and a Chapel Hill resident who has dedicated his career to helping injury victims and their families. If you’re considering legal action after a pedestrian injury, here’s why Langino Law stands out:
Experience and Focus: Adam Langino has spent over a decade handling complex personal injury and wrongful death cases. He has extensive courtroom experience – having taken hundreds of witness depositions and argued dozens of motions and trials over his career. 33 34 Personal injury law (including serious car and pedestrian accidents) is his focus, not a sideline. He’s licensed in North Carolina and Florida and has been the primary attorney on cases nationwide. When you hire Langino Law, you are hiring Adam himself, not a junior associate. Unlike at a big firm, Adam will personally manage and prosecute your claim from start to finish. “When you hire Langino Law, you hire me, Adam Langino – not a lawyer fresh out of law school,” Adam emphasizes. 35 This means your case gets the attention of a nationally respected trial lawyer every step of the way.
Proven Track Record: Results matter when choosing an attorney, and Langino Law has a proven record of success. Adam’s verdicts and settlements total over $50 million for his clients. 36 His firm’s case results include multi-million dollar recoveries that demonstrate the ability to take on tough, high-value cases. For example, Langino Law secured a $15,000,000 catastrophic injury judgment in a negligent security case, and a $1,950,000 award for a victim of a truck accident. 37 In one recent case relevant to pedestrians, Adam represented a man who suffered a leg amputation after being hit by a vehicle while walking his dog, and obtained a full policy-limit settlement to cover the man’s losses. 38 When an attorney publishes results like these on his website, it shows confidence in his ability to deliver for clients. You can review more examples on our https://www.langinolaw.com/results/ page – we believe our track record speaks to our commitment.
Reputation and Recognition: Adam is highly respected in the legal community, both locally and nationally. He’s a former Assistant Public Defender and has since been recognized by his peers with honors such as Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Legal Elite designations. 39 He is frequently invited to lecture at legal seminars and has published articles on legal strategy and practice. 40 This kind of recognition matters because it means other attorneys and professionals view him as a leader in the field. When you work with Langino Law, you have a lawyer whose reputation for excellence can put additional pressure on insurers to do right by you.
Client-Centered Philosophy: Beyond awards and dollars, Adam Langino is someone who truly cares about his clients and community. Colleagues describe him as “a smart, compassionate, and skilled trial attorney” who combines “razor-sharp intellect” with a “deep sense of humanism”, always willing to lend a helping hand. 41 42 He founded Langino Law in Chapel Hill to be able to serve individuals, not corporations, and to have the freedom to put clients first. Our firm intentionally limits the number of cases we take on so that each client gets personal attention. We know how devastating a pedestrian accident can be – physically, emotionally, and financially – and we pride ourselves on guiding people through some of the darkest times in their lives. Communication, empathy, and diligence are hallmarks of our service. When we advocate for you, we do so with the utmost professionalism and respect, but also with unwavering resolve. We don’t resort to overused slogans about “fighting” – instead, we let our hard work and results show our commitment to balancing the scales for our clients.
Committed to Chapel Hill and Your Safety
As a Chapel Hill-based firm, we are especially passionate about improving safety in our community. Chapel Hill, NC is a unique town that blends a small-city feel with big-city challenges. It is part of the famed Research Triangle region along with Durham and Raleigh, and it serves as both a cultural hub and a family-friendly community. 43 We love that our town is so walkable and bikeable, and we support local efforts like the Vision Zero program to make our streets safer for everyone. Pedestrian safety isn’t just a legal issue for us – it’s personal. Adam and his family live here in Chapel Hill, so when we talk about protecting pedestrians, we’re also thinking about our neighbors, friends, and children walking these same streets.
Langino Law is proud to contribute to a safer, more aware community. In addition to representing injured individuals, we use our platform to educate others about key issues like crosswalk laws, driver responsibility, and what makes a good attorney in the personal injury field. (In fact, Adam has written an in-depth article on what makes a good attorney – sharing his philosophy that qualities like faith, courage, and kindness are essential in a lawyer who truly serves clients’ best interests.) 44 45 By helping the public understand these topics, we hope to prevent accidents before they happen and ensure people know their rights if they do.
Contact Us for Help – Free Consultation
Pedestrian accidents can be overwhelming. You might be facing pain, medical appointments, insurance calls, and uncertainty about the future. You don’t have to go through it alone. Langino Law is here to help. With the right legal support, you can focus on healing while we focus on securing the compensation and accountability you deserve (without resorting to cheesy “fighting for justice” slogans).
If you or someone you care about was injured in a pedestrian accident in Chapel Hill or anywhere in North Carolina, reach out to us for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your legal options in plain language, and give you an honest assessment of how we can assist. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you, so it costs nothing to get our advice.
Your safety and recovery are our top priorities. Let us put our experience, reputation, and dedication to work for you. Contact Langino Law today to discuss your case and see how we can help protect your rights and your future. 46 Together, we can work to make our streets safer and ensure that those who act carelessly are held accountable.
“Keeping Pedestrians Safe.” UNC-Chapel Hill, https://www.unc.edu/discover/keeping-pedestrians-safe/.
“Chapel Hill Police: Pedestrian Dies after Being Hit along Fordham Boulevard.” Chapelboro, https://chapelboro.com/news/safety/chapel-hill-police-pedestrian-dies-after-being-hit-along-fordham-boulevard.
“Pedestrian Hit by Car on E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill.” CBS17, https://www.cbs17.com/video/pedestrian-hit-by-car-on-e-franklin-street-in-chapel-hill/9778575/.
Langino, Adam. “What Are Pain and Suffering Damages?” Langino Law, https://www.langinolaw.com/article/what-are-pain-and-suffering-damages/.
Martin, Norma. “Chapel Hill Police: Pedestrians Struck, Teens Hit by Car.” ABC11, https://abc11.com/post/chapel-hill-police-pedestrians-struck-teens-hit-by-car-norma-martin/11430987/.
Langino, Adam. “What Makes a Good Attorney?” Langino Law, https://www.langinolaw.com/article/what-makes-a-good-attorney/.
Langino, Adam. “Car Accidents Involving Children in North Carolina.” Langino Law, https://www.langinolaw.com/article/car-accidents-involving-children-north-carolina/.
Langino, Adam. “What Is a Negligence Lawsuit?” Langino Law, https://www.langinolaw.com/article/what-is-a-negligence-lawsuit/.
“About.” Langino Law, https://www.langinolaw.com/about/.
“Results.” Langino Law, https://www.langinolaw.com/results/.
“Chapel Hill, North Carolina.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapel_Hill%2C_North_Carolina.