You are on a crossing one day when a car hits you due to drunk driving. With how quickly this can occur, you might not be aware of your bruises. Situations like this can change your life.
Pedestrian accidents result in physical injuries, even those that are lifelong and fatal. Hence, understanding the facts and your legal options is important. It’s so you can decide how to move forward.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six people were pedestrians who died in car crashes in 2020. Listed below are the common causes of pedestrian accidents.
- Speed driving
- Not yielding to a pedestrian crossing
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Failing to follow traffic signals
- Bad weather
Know Your Legal Options
Facing financial losses after the accident is an obstacle. You can lose your source of income, especially if your injuries prevent you from working. Aside from physical suffering, you can also experience psychological distress. Consider all the economic and non-economic losses you endure because of this. Thus, it is your legal right to demand compensation. An attorney can help lay out your options. Additionally, it is easier to identify who you can hold accountable.
1. Claim Compensation from Your Insurer
There are cases when your insurance company supports your medical bills. However, it doesn’t cover payments for lost wages. It means relying on them may not always be the best choice. But if they pay your bills and successfully recover compensation from the at-fault driver, you repay the amount they spent on your care. Additionally, if there is damage to your personal property, you can file a claim against your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
2. Make a Claim Against the Involved Driver
The driver is typically accountable for the losses and injuries that result from the accident. It is your right to demand compensation. However, the question here is whether or not it was due to negligence. Your attorney can provide proof of the following:
- The driver had a duty to exercise care on the roads
- The driver behaved less carefully than a reasonable person would have under the same circumstances
- The failure to practice caution was the direct cause of the pedestrian accident
- The crash resulted in harm on your part
3. Make a Claim Against the Government
Road conditions are also important to ensuring safety. The government can be at fault if there are broken traffic signs and a poorly laid-out highway. You can make a claim against them if you suspect the hazards contributed to the accident. However, it can be complicated to sue government entities. It is because the law protects them. They can affect the process of filing a claim, its time limit, and the compensation you can gain. When you have an attorney, you can worry less about it. They can work around it and provide you with solutions.
The Bottom Line
Pedestrian accidents can be life-altering or fatal. It is why knowing what you can do is essential to bringing justice. More so, it can cause you and your family to suffer losses. When you know your options, you can gain peace of mind. It is because having solutions can help you with your physical, mental, and financial recovery. Working with an attorney makes all of this possible for you. They will assist you in coming up with a decision from which you can benefit most. What’s important is that you get the compensation you deserve.
Viciti Law has focused its legal representation on cases involving personal injury and insurance claim denials. We have the expertise to assess your case and fight for your best interests. Discover your legal options and how our firm can assist you in obtaining the settlement you are due from the person or entity that caused your injuries. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation.
