Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrians hit by vehicles are at greater chance of suffering catastrophic injuries. Broken bones or fractures organ damage, trauma, spinal cord trauma and disfigurement are all common injuries.
A NYC pedestrian accident attorney will assist victims to recover compensation to cover current and future rehabilitation costs, medical costs, lost wages due to absence from work, and other damages.
What to do After an Pedestrian injury
If you walk along a road even if it has crosswalks and sidewalks you're at risk of being hit by the vehicle. Whether you're walking across the street or jogging to your car to pick up food, pedestrians are at risk of serious injuries and death when struck by a vehicle. If you've been hit by a car while on foot, it's important to immediately take action to safeguard your rights as a legal person and your financial interests. A seasoned New York pedestrian accident lawyer can assist you through the complicated process of filing a personal injury claim.
It is also crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible following a pedestrian crash. This should be done prior to discussing the incident with any insurance company. It is essential to obtain the diagnosis of a physician and a medical examination. Your adrenaline could mask any symptoms or pain. The delay in seeking treatment could hinder your ability to claim compensation for your injuries or losses.
After you have sought medical attention, you should contact the police and submit the police with a report. You should obtain the name of the officer who was responsible, his badge number, and the case number assigned. It will be easier to obtain an exact copy of your police report after it's completed. Make a note of any additional statements you make to the police officer to ensure that you have a complete record.
If you own an iPhone, be sure to take photos of the scene as well as your injuries. This can be vital evidence to support your claims. Last but not least you should try to find the names and contact details of any witnesses present at the time of the accident. This will also be useful evidence to support your case, since it is difficult to establish liability without the testimony of other people involved in the collision.
An attorney will evaluate your claim and determine the kinds of damages you're entitled to. This could include future and present medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages resulting from missed work and emotional distress, property damage, and pain and suffering. A pedestrian accident lawyer can maximize your compensation by making sure that all your losses are accurately recorded and properly accounted for.
Establishing Liability
Your lawyer can assist you in identifying who is responsible for your injuries, and assist you in constructing a strong case against the party or parties accountable. They will examine evidence like CCTV footage, eyewitness testimonies and police reports to discover important information that can help strengthen your claim. They also work with accident-reconstruction experts who can recreate the scene in order to determine factors such as speed, impact angle and other factors.
Other parties may be liable for your injuries, even if the driver who hit the pedestrian was usually at the fault. This includes the government agency that is responsible for road conditions in the event that it is proved that inadequate lighting or obstruction to views contributed to the accident. Based on the laws of your state you could be entitled to compensation under the driver's no-fault insurance policy.
Your lawyer can also go over any evidence from a hit and run accident, and then try to track down the driver who fled the scene. If you've been injured by an impaired driver, this may be especially important to ensure that the driver is held accountable for their actions.
It is also important to note that pedestrians may be held accountable in certain states for not exercising the necessary care for their safety. In New York for example, pedestrians are required to follow traffic signs and signals and remain vigilant when in areas where there is lots of traffic. If a judge decides that you were at fault for your accident, your damages could be reduced according to the amount of your fault.
Your NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can help you obtain compensation for any current and future medical expenses, lost wages from absences from work and suffering and pain as well as property damage, among other damages that you have sustained. They will work with industry experts to accurately estimate your losses so that they reflect the accident's full impact on your life. They can also negotiate with insurers to ensure that you are compensated fairly, and that you aren't a victim of fraudulent tactics. They can even take over interactions with insurance representatives so that you don't have to accept less than what you deserve.
How to File a Claim
Pedestrian accident cases can be confusing and difficult to navigate without an experienced attorney. If you need to file an insurance claim or sue to recover damages for your losses and injuries isn't always clear, and choosing the wrong route can have devastating financial consequences. If you're injured by a car for instance, it may seem like the best option to negotiate with your insurance company, however their plans may not cover all of your damages.
You should seek immediate medical care for any injuries you have sustained. It is important to document the severity of your injury and the results, which could include physical pain, emotional distress and loss of quality of life. It is crucial to keep track of all costs related to the accident. This includes medical expenses and lost income due to absences from work, as well as property damage.
You'll then have to submit a claim to the owner of the vehicle or insurer of the driver. In states that are no-fault the driver's personal injury protection coverage is typically a included in every car insurance policy, will cover the pedestrian's injuries regardless of who is at fault for the incident. In some instances the pedestrian could be covered by their own auto insurance, depending on what kind of insurance they have.
It is important to consult with a New York pedestrian accident lawyer prior to filing any insurance claim. Not only are insurance companies experts at paying claims for less than they are worth They also know how to find loopholes in the law that could stop you from recovering the full amount of your losses.
An experienced lawyer for pedestrian accidents from Shaevitz & Shaevitz can help you decide on the best avenue to pursue in order to recover of your losses. We can review any settlement offer from the insurance company and make sure that it is sufficient to cover your losses that include medical expenses as well as lost wages due to absences from work, emotional distress, and the cost of rehabilitation. In certain situations, our firm can help you pursue compensation from other parties who may be responsible for your losses. For instance the city may be liable for poorly designed sidewalks and crosswalks or a company could be accountable for the driver on duty.
Recovering Compensation
A car accident could be life-altering. It can result in serious medical expenses and lost income from missed work. There may be ongoing pain and emotional distress. You need an attorney to help you obtain the maximum compensation. An attorney with experience in pedestrian accident cases is the best option because they understand how to determine the total amount you'll be entitled to and how to handle insurance companies that attempt to deny or reduce your claim.
A NYC pedestrian accident lawyer who has experience can gather evidence in court to demonstrate that pedestrians have the right of way in many traffic situations. They will use witness testimonies, video footage, and police reports to construct an impressive case on your behalf. This will give you the best chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve to pay for medical expenses as well as lost wages and other damages that result from the crash.
Employing a lawyer is the only way you can receive the money you need to compensate for your losses following being hit by a car as a pedestrian. Davenport accident attorneys 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 the severity of your injuries, you may be able to claim compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include the cost of your medical expenses and the loss of your income, whereas non-economic damages cover your pain and suffering.
New York is an insurance no-fault state. This means that any injury claim must be filed with the car insurance company of the driver responsible. However, if your injuries fall within the serious threshold for injuries, you may bring a lawsuit directly against the driver for negligence.
It is important to speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer immediately following your collision, because the time limit for filing a claim is extremely short. A knowledgeable and experienced lawyer can guide you through the process of filing an injury claim and will make sure you have all the required evidence in place before the deadline runs out.