In 2021, drivers killed 7,485 people who were on foot. And the percentage of pedestrian fatalities that involved speeding rose to 8.6% in 2020.
If you were involved in an accident, you may need a pedestrian accident attorney. This is a common situation where you may not be able to do everything on your own.
A pedestrian accident lawyer will know how to go about protecting your interests. They will figure out who is at fault and make sure you don’t fall between the cracks.
Keep reading to find out when you need to hire a pedestrian accident attorney.
Table of Contents
1. You Were the Victim of a Hit-and-Run
If you were struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian, the person should have stopped immediately. When there is an accident of this kind, the driver is legally required to stop.
This applies to any kind of accident on the road, whether you are on foot or in a vehicle. If someone strikes you with their vehicle, they should pull over and make sure you are okay.
If they fail to do this and continue driving, this is considered fleeing the scene. It is illegal, and you need to call 911 to report a hit-and-run to the police.
You should try to remember details about the vehicle if at all possible. A license plate number is the most helpful, but the color and vehicle make is also helpful.
If you were the victim of a hit-and-run, you have a very strong case. You will want to go about hiring a lawyer to act on your behalf in getting justice.
2. Your Property Was Damaged
If a vehicle hit you as a pedestrian, you may be able to claim compensation. This is most common for personal injuries, but this also applies to property.
Your property may have sustained damage when the vehicle hit you. Your phone may sustain damage, or personal objects may be lost.
Any kind of property that has some value could qualify for compensation. To do this, you will need to get an estimate of the cost of damages to your property.
Then you can start the process of hiring an attorney to help you ask for compensation. This can be an overwhelming process, so it is always best to hire an expert to help you.
3. The Driver is Not Taking Responsibility
It is not uncommon for drivers to blame pedestrians if there is an accident. There are some instances where a pedestrian may be in the wrong, such as in the instance of jaywalking.
But in a lot of instances, the driver is in the wrong. After all, the driver has more responsibility as they are the one driving a dangerous vehicle on the road.
After the accident, the driver may be blaming you for what happened. You will only be able to claim damages if you were not at fault.
You need to be innocent or mostly innocent of any fault if you want compensation. For instance, if you were 10% responsible for what happened, you can only claim 90% of the compensation.
If you are being blamed for the accident, a pedestrian accident lawyer can stand in your defense. They know how this process works and will help you to get a fair ruling.
4. You Were Injured
Were you injured as a pedestrian by a vehicle? You may apply for damages, depending on the situation.
This can have life-altering effects and result in costly treatments. Severe injuries may result in expensive treatment options and an inability to work for some time.
You can hire a personal injury attorney to help you make sure you get compensation. This may be necessary if your insurer does not cover everything it should.
If you were not at fault, it should not be your responsibility to cover all these costs.
5. You Now Have a Disability
One severe side effect of a pedestrian accident could be a disability. If you sustained serious injuries, you may not be able to recover completely, resulting in several problems.
A disability can result in you losing your job and not being able to find a source of income. This often results in high healthcare bills and physical therapy costs.
Even if the disability is temporary, you still apply for damages. An attorney can make sure you get the coverage you deserve and acceptable compensation.
They can even talk to your employer to make sure you get compensation even if you can’t work.
6. A Loved One Was Killed
If you and a loved one were involved in a pedestrian accident, you can file a lawsuit. If your loved one was killed in this accident, you need to hire an attorney to represent you.
This attorney needs to have experience in wrongful death cases. They will help you to present your case and make sure you get a fair amount of compensation.
In this situation, you can request damages for grief and other mental health issues. Things like therapy and funeral costs may also be compensated.
When to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you were involved in a pedestrian accident, you may need a pedestrian accident attorney. This is a professional who has experience in this area and can help you to get compensation.
This can be overwhelming, and you want to make sure you have someone on your side.
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