Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles are at greater risk for catastrophic injuries. Tallahassee accident lawsuit or broken bones, organ damage, trauma as well as spinal cord trauma and disfigurement are all common injuries.
A experienced NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can help victims recover compensation for their current and future medical expenses, rehabilitative care expenses, loss of income because of missed work, and other damages.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
Even with crosswalks and sidewalks walking along a road puts the risk of being struck by a car. Whether you're crossing the street or jogging to the car to get groceries, pedestrians face the risk of serious injuries or even death if struck by a vehicle. If you've been struck by a car while you were on walking, you must take immediate action to protect your rights as a legal person and your financial interests. A New York pedestrian accident attorney can assist you through the complex process of submitting personal injury claims.
It is also essential to seek medical attention right away following a pedestrian crash. This should be done prior to discussing the incident with any insurance company. Your adrenaline could mask any symptoms or pain, so it is essential to get a medical exam and diagnosis from a doctor. Delays in seeking treatment can affect your ability to receive compensation for your injuries or losses.
After you've sought medical attention, contact the police and submit the police with a report. Make sure to obtain the name of the officer, badge number, as well as the case number assigned to your particular case. This will make it easier to obtain a copy of the police report once it's done. Note any additional comments you give to the police officer so that you have the complete report.
Take photos of the accident scene and your injuries if you have a mobile phone. This can be vital evidence to support your claims. In addition you should attempt to get the names and contact numbers of any witnesses who were present at the accident. This can be a valuable evidence to support your claim, as it is difficult to establish fault without the testimony of other parties involved in a collision.
An attorney can evaluate your claim and determine the types of damages you are entitled to. They can include current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages due to absence from work, property damage, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. A lawyer for pedestrian accidents will maximize your compensation by making sure that all your losses are documented and accounted for.
Establishing Liability
Your lawyer can assist in determining who is responsible for your injuries and help you build an argument that is convincing against the party or parties responsible. They will review evidence such as CCTV footage, eyewitness testimony and police reports to collect important information that can help strengthen your case. They also collaborate with experts in accident reconstruction who can recreate the scene to determine factors such as speed, impact angles and other factors.
Other parties may be liable for your injuries even if the person who hit the pedestrian is usually at fault. If it can be proven that poor lighting or an obstruction to vision was a factor in the accident, then you could also sue the government agency responsible for road conditions. Depending on your state's laws, you may be eligible for compensation under the insurance policy that covers no-fault drivers.
Additionally to that, your lawyer can look over any evidence from a hit-and-run accident and try to locate the driver who left the scene. This is particularly important if you were injured by a drunk driver.
It's also worth noting that pedestrians can be held accountable in certain states for not taking security measures for themselves. In New York, for example, pedestrians must obey traffic signals and signs and remain alert in areas that have high traffic. If a judge decides that you were responsible for the accident, your damages may be reduced in proportion to the degree of your fault.
Your NYC pedestrian accident attorney can help you recover compensation to cover any medical costs you might have suffered in the future, as well as lost wages due to missed workdays and pain and suffering. They can also assist you in recovering compensation if you have suffered property damage or other injuries. They will work with industry experts to accurately estimate your losses to ensure that they reflect your accident's full impact on your life. They can also negotiate with insurers to ensure you are paid the right amount and don't fall victim to unfair tactics. They can even take over conversations with insurance representatives to ensure that you don't have to settle for less than what you deserve.
Making a Claim
Pedestrian accidents can be confusing and difficult to navigate without an experienced attorney. It's not always clear whether to file an injury claim or sue for damages. The wrong choice can have devastating financial implications. If you're hit by a car for instance it might be the best option to settle the matter with your insurance company, however their policies often don't cover all damages.
The first step is to seek medical attention immediately for any injuries. It is important that you document the severity of the injury and its consequences like physical discomfort, emotional distress and loss of quality. It is crucial to keep track of all expenses incurred due to the accident. This includes medical bills as well as lost income due to missed workdays, and property damage.
The next step is to submit a claim to the vehicle owner or driver's insurance company. In states with no-fault laws, the personal injury protection coverage of the driver, which is part of the majority of insurance policies for cars will take care of pedestrian's injuries regardless of who was who is at fault for an accident. In other cases the pedestrian's auto insurance may be covered, based on the type of insurance coverage.
Before filing any type of insurance claim, it's important to consult an New York pedestrian injury lawyer. Insurance companies are skilled at settling claims below their value. They also know how they can find loopholes in law that stop you from obtaining the full amount of your losses.
An experienced and knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyer from Shaevitz & Shaevitz can help you decide on the best avenue you should pursue to ensure the full recovery of your losses. We will review any settlement provided by the insurance company to ensure that it will cover your losses including medical bills as well as lost wages from the absence of work and emotional distress as well as the costs of rehabilitation. In some cases we may also be able to assist in pursuing compensation from other parties that could be responsible for your losses, for instance, the city for its poorly designed pedestrian crossings and sidewalks or a business if an driver on duty strikes you.
Recovering Compensation
A car accident could be a life-altering event. You may have to pay for medical bills that are expensive and lose earnings due to missed work. There is also the possibility of ongoing pain and emotional distress. If you are in this situation, you need a lawyer who will assist you in recovering the maximum compensation available. The best option is an attorney with expertise in claims for pedestrian accidents. They are able to determine the total amount of your damages and how to communicate effectively with insurance companies.
A NYC pedestrian accident lawyer with experience can collect evidence in court to demonstrate that pedestrians have the right to use the right of way in many traffic situations. They will rely on witness testimony, video footage, and police reports to construct a strong case on your behalf. This will give your best chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wage, and other damages resulting from the accident.
A lawyer's help is the only way to receive the compensation you require to cover your losses after being hit by a car as pedestrian. Your lawyer will also protect you from being taken advantage of of the insurance company of the driver responsible and negotiate a fair settlement for you.
Depending on your injuries, you could be entitled to the compensation you deserve for your economic and non-economic damage. Economic damages are the amount of your medical expenses and your loss of income, while non-economic damages cover your pain and suffering.
It is important to remember that New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means your injury claim will begin with the driver at fault's insurance company. If your injuries are severe, you can sue directly the driver for negligence.
It is important to speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as you can after your accident, as the statute of limitations is very short. A qualified and knowledgeable lawyer will be able to assist you in the process and make sure you have all the required evidence before the deadline ends.