6 Reasons You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
A pedestrian accident lawyer is just what you need for few important reasons. In order to properly access your situation to see if you need to take action or not, read this helpful guide.
Find the details here to learn more.
Introduction
In busy, high-traffic areas, mixing pedestrians and automobile traffic and be a deadly combination. Yet, life must go on and the road must be shared. Pedestrians know they are up against a machine as soon as they step off the sidewalk. And motorists are more distracted than ever – probably not even noticing the pedestrian.
If you find yourself the victim of a pedestrian accident, you need a pedestrian accident lawyer.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Nearly everyone who gets behind the wheel does so without the intention of hitting a pedestrian. Things just happen – sometimes they are due to negligence on someone’s behalf, other times they are the result of things outside our control.
The most common causes of pedestrian accidents are:
- A distracted or preoccupied driver
- A driver failing to give the right of way to the pedestrian
- Losing control of an automobile, most often due to careless driving or weather conditions
- A driver failing to use headlights when necessary
Common Injuries and Damages Sustained from Pedestrian Accidents
In a pedestrian vs. automobile scenario, the pedestrian is almost always going to sustain injuries, some of which may be life-threatening. This leads to a lot of medical bills, lost wages, and so forth that need to be recovered.
The most common injuries sustained from pedestrian accidents are:
- Broken bones
- Facial and/or dental trauma
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Road rash
And the most common damages are:
- Lost wages, past and future
- Medical bills, past and future
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
6 Reasons You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Still on the fence about hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer? Here are 6 reasons why you need one:
1. There is a Good Chance You are Tied Up
If you have been hit by a car or SUV, then you are likely banged up pretty bad. And not only are the physical injuries disruptive to your life but the fact that your life was just altered in all sorts of ways – potentially lost income for your family, increased bills, harassing phone calls from insurance companies, doctor’s appointments, etc. And, depending on how bad your injuries are, you may be too busy re-learning how to get through daily living, such as walking, talking, dressing, bathing, and more.
2. Your Attorney Will Work to Determine Fault
Attorneys know that there is always a chance that the pedestrian that was injured may be at fault for the accident. Sure, the automobile is bigger and bolder, but if it had the right of way and you stepped out in front of it? Well, things could get a bit tricky.
The legal team for the insurance company is going to try to pin the fault on you. Your attorney knows this and will work to create a strategy that will debunk their arguments.
3. Bringing the Experts Together
To succeed at a trial, you are going to need experts that can vouch for your injuries concerning the accident, as well as how impactful they will be in your future life. It can be a lot of work bringing experts together, especially those who are willing to attend a trial and have the credentials and reputation to back everything up. A lawyer knows just how to handle this.
4. Your Attorney Can Handle Negotiations For You
If the driver of the automobile had insurance, then you will likely be contacted by the insurance company. They will try to ask you questions and get you to accept a settlement. Is it a fair amount? Should you settle? What is the likely outcome if you go to court?
These are all things you should know before you accept a settlement offer. An attorney will be able to handle all of the negotiations for you, advising you whether the settlement offer is a wise choice or if going through the court process may lead to a better outcome.
Most times, attorneys will only get paid if you do. So, they are going to use their wisdom to help you make the best choice.
5. Feel Confident with Representation in Court
When you head to court – and you likely will – there are going to be a lot of procedures and such that you may not be familiar with. Some of these hearings may be brief while others can last hours, days, or even weeks. The entire process can be confusing and overwhelming without legal guidance. It can also put you at a serious disadvantage. Not to mention that if the other party sees you there on your own, you may find yourself getting the short end of the stick. The attorney for the insurance company is looking out for the insurance company. Your vulnerability unrepresented in this situation will not go unnoticed.
Having an attorney on your side throughout the entire case can not only put you on a level playing field with the other side but also allow you to focus on your recovery without worrying about your case.
6. Your Attorney will Have the Knowledge and Resources
When you are the victim of a pedestrian accident, you need to fight for what is right. If someone’s negligence while driving has taken away the quality of life you were living, then you need to fight. You need to be compensated for the troubles, the struggles, and the losses you have faced since the accident.
If you do not know how to do this – or have the resources to do it – then you need someone who does. That someone is an attorney.
Wrapping it all together, your attorney will be the one to handle all correspondence with the other party, drafting and filing pleadings, take on the role of mediator and negotiating your settlement, representing you in court, and coming up with the perfect strategy to win your case.
Conclusion
If you have been injured in a pedestrian-related accident and you want to feel as though you are compensated fairly, then you need an attorney. So, whether you have broken bones or something more serious, you take the time to focus on getting better – and let your attorney find your closure.
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