Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles are at greater chance of suffering catastrophic injuries. Fractures or broken bones organ damage, trauma, spinal cord trauma and disfigurement are all typical injuries.
A skilled NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can assist victims in obtaining compensation for their current and future medical expenses, rehabilitative care costs, lost income due to missed work, and other damages.
What to do after a Pedestrian Accident
If you walk along a road even with sidewalks and crosswalks there is a risk of being struck by a motor vehicle. If you're walking across the street or jogging to the car to get food, pedestrians are at risk of serious injuries or even death when struck by a vehicle. If you've been hit by the vehicle while walking, it is crucial to act fast to protect your rights in the legal and financial realm. Merced accident lawyers can assist you through the maze of filing personal injury claims.
It is also essential to seek medical attention immediately after a pedestrian accident. This should be done prior to discussing the incident with any insurance company. It is essential to obtain an appointment with a doctor and undergo a medical examination. Your adrenaline may cover up any signs or pain. Inability to seek treatment may impact your chances of receiving compensation for the losses or injuries you sustained.
If you seek medical attention If you require medical attention, you must call the police to file a report of the incident. You should obtain the name of the officer who was responsible, his badge number, and the case number assigned. It will be simpler to obtain the police report once it is completed. It's also helpful to record any additional information you provide to the police officer so you have a clear and complete image of what transpired.
If you own an iPhone, be sure to take photos of the scene as well as your injuries. This can be crucial evidence to back up your assertions. In addition, you should try to obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses present at the accident. This can be a valuable evidence to support your claim, since it is difficult to establish fault without the testimony of the other parties involved in a collision.
An attorney can review your claim and determine the kinds of damages that you are entitled to. This could include future and present medical expenses, rehabilitative costs and lost wages due to absence from work, property damage emotional distress as well as pain and suffering and emotional distress. A pedestrian accident lawyer will maximize your compensation by ensuring that all your losses are recorded and properly accounted for.
Establishing Liability
Your lawyer can assist you to determine who is responsible for your injuries and build an effective defense against the party responsible or parties. They will gather evidence like eyewitness testimony, CCTV footage and police reports to support your case. They also collaborate with accident reconstruction experts who recreate the scene to determine factors such as speed, impact angle, and more.
While the at-fault party in an accident involving pedestrians is usually the driver that hit you, other parties may also be held accountable for your injuries. This could include the government body in charge of road conditions, if it can be proven that inadequate lighting or blocked views caused your accident. You may be entitled, depending on the laws in your state, to compensation under the no fault policy of the driver.
Your lawyer can also go over any evidence from a hit-and run accident, and then try to trace the driver who fled the scene. This is particularly important if you were injured by an intoxicated driver.
It is also important to note that pedestrians may be held liable in some states for not taking care for their own safety. 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 contributed to the accident in some way, your damages may be reduced by the percentage proportional to your degree of blame.
Your NYC pedestrian accident lawyer will assist you in obtaining compensation for current and future medical costs, lost wages due to missed workdays as well as pain and suffering as well as property damage and other damages you've suffered. They will collaborate with experts in the field to accurately estimate your losses, so that they reflect your accident's full impact on your life. They can also negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you are paid fairly and do not be a victim of bad-faith tactics. They can even manage conversations with insurance representatives to ensure that you don't have to accept less than you deserve.
Filing a Claim
Pedestrian accidents can be complicated and difficult to navigate without an experienced attorney. It is not always obvious whether you should file an injury claim or sue for damages. A wrong decision can result in a devastating financial burden. If you're struck by a car, for example, it may seem like the best option to settle the matter with your insurance company, however their offers often do not take care of all your losses.
Your first step should be to seek medical attention immediately for your injuries. It is important that you document the severity of your injury and the effects it has on you including physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of quality. It is also helpful to keep track of any expenses that result from the accident, like medical expenses, lost wages due to missed workdays and property damage.
You'll then have to file a claim with the owner of the vehicle or insurer of the driver. In states that have no-fault law the personal injury protection insurance of the driver, which is a part of most car insurance policies, will cover the pedestrian's injuries, regardless of the person who is at fault for an accident. In other cases the pedestrian's auto insurance might apply, depending on the type of insurance coverage.
Before filing any type of insurance claim, it is essential to speak with an New York pedestrian injury lawyer. Insurance companies are skilled in settling claims for less than their value. They also know how they can find loopholes in law that stop you from recouping your full losses.
Shaevitz & Shaevitz, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can assist you in determining the best method to recover your losses. We will review any settlement offer made by the insurance company to ensure that it is adequate to cover your damages which include medical bills, lost wages from absences from work, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the cost of rehabilitation. In some cases, our firm can help you seek compensation from other parties who may be accountable for your losses. For example the city may be held accountable for shoddy sidewalks and crosswalks, or a company might be liable for the driver on duty.
Recovering Compensation
Being hit by a car is a devastating and life-altering event. You may have to pay for medical bills that are expensive and lose earnings because of missed work. It could also cause chronic pain and emotional stress. You need an attorney to help you obtain the maximum compensation. An attorney who has expertise in pedestrian accident cases is the best choice because they understand how to determine the total amount of damages you should be entitled to and how to deal with insurance companies who try to deny or reduce your claim.
The right of way for pedestrians is guaranteed in many traffic situations and an experienced NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can gather evidence to show this in court. They will use witness testimony or video footage as well as police reports to create an argument that is strong on your behalf. This will give you the best chance of recovering the compensation you are entitled to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages caused by the crash.
Employing a lawyer is the only way you can receive the compensation you require to cover your losses after being hit by a car as pedestrian. Your lawyer will also safeguard you from being taken advantage of by the insurance company of the driver who was at fault and negotiate an appropriate settlement for you.
Depending on your injuries, you could be eligible for compensation for non-economic and economic damage. Economic damages include the cost of your medical expenses and the loss of your income, whereas non-economic damages are based on your pain and suffering.
New York is an insurance no-fault state. This means that any claim for injury must be reported to the car insurance company of the driver who is at fault. However, if your injuries meet the serious threshold for injuries, you may sue the driver directly for negligence.
A pedestrian accident lawyer must be contacted as soon as possible following your collision because the statute of limitations is very short. A knowledgeable and experienced lawyer will be able assist you in the process and make sure you have all of the necessary evidence before the deadline ends.