Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
Pedestrian accidents can happen in a variety of ways, but in many cases, they’re caused by negligent drivers. Some of the most common ways drivers cause harm to pedestrians include:
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Failing to yield
- Driving under the influence
- Making unsafe turns
- Failing to obey traffic laws
On other occasions, pedestrian accidents can be caused by poor sidewalk conditions, unsafe construction, or unmarked crosswalks.
Common Injuries Victims Suffer in Pedestrian Accidents
Injuries pedestrians sustain typically depend on the type of accident and severity of the incident. Some of the injuries pedestrians most frequently face include the following:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Fractured and broken bones
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal injuries
Many of the injuries caused by pedestrian accidents can be severe and sometimes even life-threatening. It is not uncommon to need extensive medical treatment after a pedestrian accident, and in some cases, injuries may have long-lasting effects.
In the most serious cases, injuries from a pedestrian accident can cause the victim’s death. When this is the situation, the family of the pedestrian may be able to sue for wrongful death.
One of the most important steps to take after a pedestrian accident is to seek medical attention. Doing so puts your well-being and physical health first, and it can also help with your future personal injury claim.
Liability for Pedestrian Accidents
The person who causes the accident is typically financially responsible for your harm and losses. Under most circumstances, this party would be a negligent driver. If they have insurance, you’d likely receive monetary recovery from the insurance company.
Proving the driver’s liability usually requires proving they meet the elements of negligence. These elements involve the following:
- The Driver Owed You a Duty of Care: Drivers owe others a duty to drive safely and responsibly to avoid accidents and injuries
- The Driver Breached Their Duty of Care: Drivers can breach their duty in many ways — for example, by driving recklessly or distractedly
- The Breach Was the Cause of Your Accident: The driver’s actions must be the cause of the accident
- There Were Damages as a Result: Your injuries and financial losses were caused by the accident
Your pedestrian accident lawyer can gather all pertinent evidence to help establish that the other driver caused the accident that led to your injuries. Proving liability is a critical part of an accident claim, as it allows you to pursue monetary compensation.
If your accident was not caused by a negligent driver — for example, you were harmed while walking on a rough sidewalk — your pedestrian accident lawyer can help determine who is responsible (usually the government). Suing the city can be challenging, but you can rely on your attorney so you don’t have to do it alone.
Potential Compensation Available After a Pedestrian Accident
Damages may be available to compensate you for the physical and mental harm you suffer after your accident, as well as any other financial losses. The amount of damages you’re entitled to receive depends on the details of your claim, like the severity of your injuries.
Compensatory damages are separated into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are those directly related to your pedestrian accident. These losses are typically easier to prove, as evidence is often readily available. Economic damages include:
- Medical expenses, like hospital stays, surgery, or medications
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, also arise from your pedestrian accident but are not as simple to establish. They can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In more serious cases, punitive damages may be available. These damages are different from compensatory damages, as their primary goal isn’t to compensate victims. Instead, punitive damages serve to punish defendants and deter future actors when the defendant’s actions were intentional, malicious, or reckless.
Determining how much you’re eligible to receive is not the easiest task. In order to obtain the best possible outcome, you’ll want to know how much your case is worth. Fortunately, a pedestrian accident lawyer can thoroughly review the details of your case to aggressively pursue financial recovery on your behalf.
Is It Necessary to Hire an Attorney to Help with a Pedestrian Accident Case?
No law states you must have legal representation for a personal injury claim. However, having a skilled attorney on your side can yield much more favorable results than taking on your case completely on your own.
Lawyers with experience handling pedestrian accident cases are highly familiar with the laws and procedures involved with these cases. You can trust your attorney to take care of everything, from investigating and gathering evidence to engaging in negotiations and settling your case.
If you’re interested in putting yourself in the best possible position to receive the monetary recovery you deserve, a pedestrian accident lawyer is your best ally.
Why The Joel Bieber Firm Is the Right Choice
The team at The Joel Bieber Firm has more than 400 years of collective experience helping injured clients get the resolution they need.
We never want anyone to feel unseen or unheard after suffering through a pedestrian accident; therefore, we strive to provide outstanding legal representation from beginning to end. No matter the difficulty of your legal battle, we’re on your side when you need us most.