It all happened in an instant. One moment, you were daydreaming about what you were going to order at that restaurant everyone’s talking about. The next, you were flat on your back in the middle of the road, aching like you’d been hit by a truck (and maybe you have). You’re sure the careless driver who hit you is at fault, but they’re blaming you for the accident.
In a case like this, you need the help of an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. Accident Hotline’s nationwide network of attorneys stands ready to help you with your pedestrian accident claim. We’re available to chat with you 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
How Can a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help You?
After a pedestrian accident, some victims wonder whether it’s worth hiring an attorney for their case. The answer is almost certainly yes. Without an attorney, you stand to leave quite a bit of compensation on the table.
Below, you’ll learn how a pedestrian accident attorney can help you pursue fair restitution.
Collecting Evidence
Your lawyer will leave no stone unturned when gathering evidence. They’ll comb the accident scene for clues such as tire skid marks, debris patterns, blocked road signs, broken traffic lights, and anything else that may have contributed to the accident.
They’ll also find and interview witnesses who may have seen the accident unfold. Witnesses may include other pedestrians, drivers, and local business owners.
If a commercial truck hit you, an attorney can subpoena the truck’s black box data. The black box will contain invaluable information about the driver’s actions before and during the accident.
Assessing Your Damages
Do you know the real value of your damages? Many pedestrian accident victims have no idea. This is problematic because they’re unsure how much money to ask for.
Your lawyer will know how to ask the right questions and uncover every penny of your damages, which may include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those with a fixed value, such as lost wages and medical expenses. Non-economic damages may include emotional anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of guidance/companionship/consortium.
Negotiating With the Insurance Company
After a pedestrian accident, the last thing you want to do is argue with the insurance company. Negotiations are stressful, and you’d much rather focus on recovering from your injuries.
Leave all of the negotiations to your attorney instead. They know the tricks insurance adjusters use to underpay victims and are prepared to fight until you have a fair settlement check in your hands.
Representing You in Court
Although most pedestrian accident cases settle out of court, sometimes, the only solution is to head to trial. Your lawyer will come to court prepared to prove the defendant’s negligence and liability.
Contact our team today so we can fight to help you get the compensation you deserve.
How To Choose the Right Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
You’ll likely find dozens of pedestrian accident lawyers in your city, but not all of them are up to the task of representing you. Here’s how to pick the right attorney for your case:
- Meet with a few attorneys before hiring one (most offer free consultations). When meeting with the lawyer, do they seem professional, friendly, and knowledgeable? Would you enjoy working with them? If so, they might be a good match.
- Ask the attorney whether they’d mind sharing some recent client testimonials. You can usually find many client reviews with a quick online search.
- Choose a lawyer who has handled cases similar to yours. If the attorney has only ever handled car accidents but no pedestrian accidents, look elsewhere.
- Ask the lawyer about their fee structure. Ideally, they should work on contingency, meaning you don’t pay unless they win the case.
Who Is Liable for Pedestrian Accidents?
In a pedestrian accident, you might automatically assume the driver is to blame. Usually, that’s true, but other parties may be liable. They include:
- The pedestrian: A court may hold a pedestrian partly liable if they were jaywalking, walking while distracted, walking under the influence, or engaging in horseplay in the street.
- The auto manufacturer: It’s fairly rare, but a vehicle defect may have caused the driver to lose control of their car. If so, you could hold the manufacturer responsible.
- The driver’s employer: If the driver was on the clock when they hit you, you could hold their employer responsible.
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What Damages Can You Recover for a Pedestrian Accident?
You can recover economic and non-economic damages if you win your pedestrian accident case. Economic damages may include:
- Medical expenses (ambulance rides, surgery, medication, hospital care, physical therapy, medical equipment, etc.)
- Lost wages if you’re too hurt to work
- Loss of earning potential
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are things such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship/loss of consortium
If the driver who hit you acted maliciously (they deliberately hit you, for example), the court might award punitive damages.
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What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident
If you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, here’s what to do:
- Report the accident to the police. You may not want to involve the police if your injuries are minor, but starting a paper trail by filing a report is important.
- Take pictures of the accident scene before leaving. This includes photos of the car that hit you, the driver, and anything else that seems relevant to the accident.
- See a doctor promptly. Do this even if you think you’re not badly hurt, as some injuries can take a while to show up.
- Make an insurance claim. If you have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, it will cover at least some of your medical bills. If you don’t have PIP or live in an at-fault state, you’ll need to make a claim with the insurance company of the driver who hit you.
- Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer to learn your legal options.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Now
Need guidance for your pedestrian accident claim? Contact Accident Hotline today at (888) 340-7454 for a free consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer.
For a free consultation, call 888-340-7454