Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles are at greater risk for catastrophic injuries. Fractures or broken bones, organ damage, traumatic injuries, spinal cord trauma and disfigurement are all typical injuries.
A experienced NYC pedestrian accident lawyer will help victims recover compensation for current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses, loss of income due to missed work, and other damages.
What to do following a Pedestrian Injury
Even with sidewalks and crosswalks walking on the road puts you at risk of being struck by a car. When walking along the street or running to your car to pick up groceries, pedestrians face the risk of serious injuries and death when struck by a vehicle. If you've been hit by a vehicle while on the sidewalk, it's crucial to immediately take action to protect your legal rights and financial interests. A New York pedestrian accident attorney can help you navigate through the complex process of filing personal injury claims.
You should also seek medical assistance as soon as is possible following a pedestrian accident. This should be done before discussing the incident with any insurance companies. It is crucial to get the diagnosis of a physician and a medical examination. Your adrenaline can conceal any symptoms or discomfort. Delays in seeking care can severely hinder your ability to recover compensation for your losses and injuries.
If you seek medical attention After receiving medical treatment, you must contact the police to file a formal report of the incident. You should get the name of the officer as well as his badge number and the case number assigned. This will make it easier to obtain a copy the police report after it's done. Make a note of any additional statements you give to the police officer to ensure you have a complete picture.
If you own an iPhone, be sure to take photos of the scene as well as your injuries. This can be vital evidence to back up your assertions. Also, try to obtain the names and contact numbers of any witnesses present at the scene of the accident. This can also be helpful evidence to support your case, since it is difficult to prove liability without witnesses from other participants in the collision.
An attorney can evaluate your claim and determine the kinds of damages you're entitled to. This could include future and current medical costs, rehabilitative expenses as well as lost wages due missing work, property damages, emotional distress or pain and suffering and emotional distress. An attorney who represents pedestrians can maximize your compensation by ensuring that all of your losses are properly recorded and properly documented.
Establishing Portsmouth accident lawsuits can aid you in determining who is responsible for your injuries and assist you in constructing a strong case against the person or parties accountable. They will collect evidence such as eyewitness testimony, CCTV footage and police reports to support 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.
Other parties could be responsible for your injuries even if the driver who hit the pedestrian was usually at fault. This can include the government agency in charge of road conditions in the event that it is established that inadequate lighting or obstruction to views caused your accident. You may be entitled, depending on the laws of your state to compensation under the no-fault policy of the driver.
Your lawyer can also review any evidence from a hit-and run accident and attempt to locate the driver that fled the scene. If you were injured by drunk driver, this may be especially important to ensure that the driver is held accountable for his or her actions.
In certain states, pedestrians are liable for not exercising care for their safety. In New York for example, pedestrians must obey traffic signals and signs and be vigilant in areas with an abundance of traffic. If a judge finds that you were responsible for your accident in any way, your damages may be reduced by a percentage proportional to your degree of responsibility.
Your NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can help you obtain compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost wages due to working hours missed as well as injuries and suffering, property damage and other losses you've incurred. They will collaborate with top experts in the field to evaluate your losses to ensure that they reflect the full impact of the accident on your life. They can also negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you are paid in a fair manner and don't be a victim of bad-faith tactics. They can even manage conversations with insurance representatives to ensure that you aren't forced to accept less than what you deserve.
Filing a Claim
Pedestrian accidents can be complicated and difficult to navigate without an experienced attorney. Whether you should declare an insurance claim or pursue legal action to recover damages for your injuries and losses is not always clear, and making the wrong choice could have disastrous financial consequences. If you're struck by a vehicle, for example it might seem like the best option to settle with your insurance company, but their offers often do not cover all damages.
Your first step should be to seek immediate medical attention for any injuries. It is crucial to document the severity of the injury and its consequences, such as physical discomfort, emotional stress, and loss of quality. It is also helpful to keep track of any costs incurred as a result of the accident, including medical bills, lost wages from working hours missed and property damage.
Next, you will need to make an insurance claim with the owner or driver's insurer. In states that have no-fault law the personal injury protection insurance of the driver, which is a part of the majority of car insurance policies will pay for pedestrian's injuries regardless of who is who is at fault for an accident. In other situations the pedestrian's personal insurance could be in place, based on the type of car insurance coverage.
Before filing any type of insurance claim, it is important to consult a New York pedestrian injury lawyer. Insurance companies are adept in settling claims for less than their value. They also know how to find loopholes in law that prevent you from recovering your full losses.
Shaevitz & Shaevitz, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney, can help you determine the best method to recover your losses. We can examine any settlement provided by the insurance company to ensure that it covers your losses including medical expenses as well as lost wages from the absence of work and emotional distress and the cost of rehabilitation. In some cases we can also help in seeking compensation from other parties who might be liable for your losses, like the city for its poorly designed pedestrian crossings and sidewalks or a company if an driver on duty strikes you.
Recovering Compensation
Being hit by a car is a life-changing and shocking event. It is possible to be responsible for medical bills that cost a lot of money and lose money due to missed work. You may also experience persistent emotional pain and suffering. If you're in this position you should consult an attorney who can assist you in recovering the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. An attorney who has experience in pedestrian accident cases is the best choice because they know how to determine the total amount you'll be entitled to and how to deal with insurance companies that try to limit or deny your claim.
A NYC pedestrian accident lawyer who is experienced can collect evidence in court to show that pedestrians have the right to use the right of way in many traffic situations. They will make use of video footage as well as police reports and witness testimony to construct a solid case for you. This will give you the best chance of recovering the compensation you are entitled to cover your medical bills as well as lost wages and other damages that result from the accident.
You will only be able to get the compensation you need after being struck as a pedestrian by a vehicle when you hire a lawyer. Your lawyer will also shield you from being swindled of by the at-fault driver's insurance company and negotiate an agreement that is fair to you.
Based on the severity of your injuries, you could be eligible for compensation for non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and lost income. Non-economic damages include suffering and pain.
New York is an insurance no-fault state. This means that any claim for injury must be submitted to the insurance company for cars of the driver who is at fault. If your injuries are severe you may sue directly the driver for negligence.
It is important to speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after your collision, because the statute of limitations is very short. A qualified and knowledgeable lawyer will be able to assist you in the process and make sure you have all of the necessary evidence before the deadline runs out.