A pedestrian accident case covers all situations where a pedestrian was harmed by the negligence of another person. This is most frequently seen when a pedestrian is struck by a car where the driver was not paying attention. When this happens, you have the right to file a personal injury claim against the driver to cover any costs resulting from the injury, such as medical exams, physical therapy and other damages, as a personal injury attorney, like from Yearin Law Office, can explain. Here are three factors to understand about a pedestrian personal injury case.
How to React
If you’ve been struck by a car, the first thing you should do is ensure you aren’t seriously injured. Try to move out of the street if possible, and then call police to report the accident regardless if you think you aren’t hurt. Get medical attention immediately if you are injured, or get it as soon as possible afterward. Make sure the driver stays on the scene until police arrive and exchange important contact and insurance information. Record notes of what happened and take pictures that can be used as evidence in the claim later.
What You Can Claim
It’s essential to understand what you can claim in your personal injury case. You’ll want to make sure the case is worthwhile before investing all that time and effort, so adding up costs affected by the accident can help determine what your claim is worth. Here are some of the most common things you can claim:
- Medical bills for things like tests, surgeries and doctor visits
- Lost wages due to being unable to work
- Pain and suffering that affect your daily life
- Loss of enjoyment or opportunities because of the injury
All of these can be translated into monetary value, and that is what you will make a claim for against the person responsible for your accident.
Negligence
In a pedestrian accident, the driver of the car that hit you is most likely at fault, but this isn’t always the case. You may be partially responsible for causing the accident if you weren’t paying attention or if you crossed the street in an area without a crosswalk. State laws may only allow you to collect a certain amount of money depending on your responsibility, and some may bar it completely.
Talk to a lawyer to get a better understanding of negligence and how much your case is worth. It may feel like a hassle to deal with now, but it can pay off immensely in the future.