Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrians who are struck by cars are at a higher risk for catastrophic injuries. Common injuries include broken or fractured bones and internal organ damage, severe brain injury and spinal cord trauma and disfigurement.
A skilled NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can assist victims to recover compensation for future and current medical expenses, rehabilitative care costs, lost income due to absence from work and other damages.
What to do after a Pedestrian Injury
Even with crosswalks and sidewalks walking on the road puts the risk of being struck by a car. If you’re walking across the street, or running back to your car after shopping pedestrians could suffer serious injuries or even death if they’re struck by the vehicle. If you’ve been struck by the vehicle while walking, it’s crucial to act fast to protect your rights in the legal and financial realm. An experienced New York pedestrian accident lawyer can assist you through the complex procedure of filing a personal injury claim.
You should seek medical treatment as soon as you can after a pedestrian crash. This should be done before discussing the incident with any insurance company. It’s important to get the diagnosis of a physician and a medical examination. Your adrenaline could mask any symptoms or discomfort. Delays in seeking treatment can hinder your ability to claim compensation for your losses or injuries.
After you have received medical attention, you should contact the police and file the police with a report. You should obtain the name of the officer, his badge number and the case number that was assigned to him. This will make it easier to get a copy of the police report when it’s finished. It’s also beneficial to keep any additional information you provide to the police officer so you can have a complete, clear image of what transpired.
Take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries if you own an mobile phone. This could be a crucial piece of evidence to back your claim. Not least you should attempt to obtain the names and contact numbers of any witnesses who were present at the time of the collision. This will be helpful evidence to back your claim, as it is difficult to determine fault without the testimony of other parties involved in the collision.
An attorney can assess your claim and determine the types of damages you are entitled to. This could include future and current medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages due to absence from work, property damage, emotional distress or pain and suffering and emotional distress. A pedestrian accident attorney will be able to maximize your compensation by ensuring all your losses are appropriately accounted for and properly documented.
Establishing Liability
A lawyer can help you identify who is liable for your injuries and help you build an effective case against the responsible party or parties. They will gather evidence like eyewitness testimony, CCTV footage and police reports in order to strengthen your claim. They also work with accident-reconstruction experts who can recreate the scene to determine the factors that affect speed, impact angle, and more.
The party at fault in a pedestrian accident is typically the driver who hit you, other parties may also be held liable for your injuries. This includes the government body responsible for road conditions and road safety, if it is established that inadequate lighting or blocked views contributed to your accident. Depending on your state’s laws and regulations, AccidentInjuryLawyers you may be entitled to compensation under the insurance policy that covers no-fault drivers.
Your lawyer can also review any evidence from a hit and run accident and attempt to trace the driver who fled the scene. This is particularly important if you were injured by a drunk driver.
It is also important to note that pedestrians can be held liable in some states for not exercising the necessary care for their safety. In New York, for example pedestrians must follow traffic signals and signs and remain vigilant in areas that have high traffic. If a judge finds that you contributed to your accident in any way, your damages could be reduced by a percentage proportional to the amount of fault.
Your NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for any current or future medical expenses, lost wages due to absences from work, injuries and suffering as well as property damage, among other losses you’ve incurred. They will work with top experts in the field to evaluate your losses in order to reflect the full impact of the accident on your life. They can also negotiate with insurers to ensure that you’re compensated the right amount and do not fall prey to fraudulent tactics. They can even take over interactions with insurance companies to ensure that you aren’t forced to accept less than you deserve.
How to File a Claim
Pedestrian accidents can be complicated and difficult to navigate without the assistance of a seasoned attorney. It is not always obvious which option to pursue an injury claim or sue for damages. Making the wrong choice could have devastating financial implications. If you’re injured by a vehicle for instance it might seem like the best option to settle with your insurance company, but their offers often do not cover all of your damages.
The first step is to seek medical attention right away to treat your injuries. It is crucial to record the extent of your injury and the resulting effects, including physical pain, emotional stress and loss of quality of life. It is also beneficial to keep track of any expenses that result from the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages due to missed workdays and property damage.
Next, you will need to submit an insurance claim to the owner or driver’s insurer. In states that are no-fault, the personal injury protection of the driver typically forms part of all car insurance policies will take care of pedestrian’s injuries regardless of who was at fault for the incident. In other situations the pedestrian’s auto insurance might apply, depending on the type of car insurance coverage.
It is essential to speak with a New York pedestrian accident lawyer prior to submitting any insurance claim. Not only are insurance companies experts at paying claims for less than they are worth They are also able to find loopholes in the law that might hinder you from recovering all of your losses.
Shaevitz & Shaevitz, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney, can help you determine the best way to recuperate your losses. We can review any settlement provided by the insurance company to ensure that it covers your damages including medical bills and lost wages due to working hours missed and emotional stress and the cost of rehabilitation. In some cases our firm can assist you pursue compensation from other parties who could be accountable for your losses. For example, the city could be liable for poorly designed crosswalks and sidewalks or a business could be accountable for the driver on duty.
Recovering Compensation
A car accident could be a life-altering event. You may have to pay for medical bills that are expensive and lose income due to missed work. It could also cause you to suffer from ongoing pain and emotional distress. If you’re in this position you should consult an attorney who can help you recover the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. An attorney with experience dealing with pedestrian accidents is the best choice because they are able to calculate the full amount of damages you’ll be entitled to and how to handle insurance companies who try to reduce or deny your claim.
The right of way for pedestrians is guaranteed in a variety of traffic situations, and an experienced NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can collect evidence to show this in court. They will use videos as well as police reports and witness testimony to create an evidence-based case for you. This will give you the best chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills or lost wages, as well as other damages caused by the crash.
You will only be able to get the compensation you need after being hit as a pedestrian by a vehicle if you employ an attorney. A lawyer can also safeguard you from being taken advantage of by the insurance company of the driver at fault company and negotiate a settlement that is fair to you.
Depending on your injuries, you could be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damage. Economic damages are the amount of your medical expenses and the loss of your income, whereas non-economic damages are for your pain and suffering.
It is important to know that New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means that your injury claim will be filed with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If your injuries are severe you may sue directly the driver for negligence.
You should speak to an attorney for pedestrians as soon as possible after your accident, since the statute of limitations is short. A knowledgeable and experienced lawyer can assist you in the process and make sure you have all of the necessary evidence before the deadline runs out.