Motor vehicle crashes claimed 36,096 lives in 2019. Several major cities rank high in pedestrian crashes with many of these accidents leading to injury and loss of life. When an accident occurs, you must provide evidence detailing how it occurred and how involved parties contributed. As you’ve already guessed, this is an exacting task that requires expertise and experience. This is where an accident lawyer comes in handy.
Before we explain why you need a lawyer after an accident, the leading causes of pedestrian accidents are below.
- Drivers failing to stop at traffic signs and crosswalks
- Parking lot accidents
- Swerving into walkways
When accidents happen, the pedestrian can suffer a traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, broken bones, dental, spinal cord, and facial injuries.
How Can Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Help You?
As mentioned, the attorney undertakes all investigation work which involves requesting and reviewing medical, police, and accident reports. Your attorney also takes photos of the accident scene and interviews witnesses. All this work is time-consuming and requires a legal team. Therefore, it is prudent to hire a pedestrian lawyer rather than do all the work yourself.
Representing You in Court and Settlement
After an accident, you must put a strong case in a court of law proving negligence and failure to exercise care. This means that you must prove the other party neglected their legal duty and you suffered losses and damages.
Insurance agents are always looking to save money for their company. They can turn the case against you and blame you for the accident or downplay the severity of your injury, especially if you don’t have a lawyer on your side. They can turn your innocent comments against you during settlement. You shouldn’t engage the agents without protection from a lawyer.
Negotiates a Settlement
Insurers can be aggressive and tend to pressure victims to accept low compensation and sign documents that can jeopardize their cases. An attorney ensures you don’t receive an undervalued settlement. They calculate the value of your claim to ensure you receive a fair settlement faster.
The involved party may try to convince you to hastily accept compensation for economic losses, including loss of wages, diminished earning capacity, and health expenses. But compensation should not stop with financial coverage. The settlement should also care for anguish, physical pain, and anguish.
Ensure Your Case Is Within the Deadline
The limitation of action under the many states’ laws give you three years to file a personal injury case. In some cases, you might suffer a severe accident that takes extensive time before full recovery. A pedestrian accident attorney helps you file the case within deadlines, including the statute of limitations.
How Do You Choose a Suitable Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
- Find a pedestrian with experience handling similar cases and a vast understanding of laws specific to the injuries.
- Ask for referrals from clients and other lawyers. Satisfied clients and a lawyer who other attorneys speak highly of is definitely a suitable choice. You should be concerned if an attorney is reluctant to provide references.
- You definitely want to work with an attorney with an impeccable track record. A lawyer boasting a high success rate will give you great insight into the case and accurate expectations.
Conclusion
When involved in an accident as you walk about your daily activities, it is prudent to hire a lawyer. They will ensure fair settlement and peace of mind as you heal from injuries. Choose a seasoned and competent attorney to fight your legal battle.
