If you’ve been in a pedestrian accident, you may be thinking about filing a lawsuit. It’s important to understand the process and your rights before doing so. Filing a lawsuit after being in a pedestrian accident can be a complicated process. With the right information and guidance, you can ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
This article will provide an overview of what you need to know about filing a lawsuit after a pedestrian accident.
What Is a Pedestrian Accident?
A pedestrian accident is an accident where a person was walking when they were hit. Pedestrian accidents can occur at intersections, on roadways, and in parking lots.
Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents are driver negligence, failure to yield the right of way, and failure to obey traffic signals or signs.
These accidents fall under personal injury law as a type of personal injury accident. This means that if you have been injured in a personal injury accident and have proof, you can file a lawsuit.
A pedestrian accident can cause a lot of damage, including broken bones, brain injuries, and even death. Pedestrian accidents resulted in over 100,000 emergency room visits as recently as 2020. Filing a personal injury lawsuit can help you find justice and compensation for your injuries.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Are Often Worse Than Car Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are often more serious than car accidents since pedestrians have no protection. While drivers have a steel frame and crumple zones to shield them, pedestrians have nothing but the clothes on their backs. Pedestrians are fully exposed to impact and have no protection.
While drivers are protected by their vehicles, pedestrians have nothing to shield them from impact. This lack of protection greatly increases the risk of death or serious injury in the event of a pedestrian accident.
Even if the impact is not severe enough to kill the pedestrian, they can still suffer life-altering injuries such as:
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Organ damage
In conclusion, pedestrian accidents are often much more serious than car accidents, especially when it comes to the injuries sustained by the victim.
When Should You File a Lawsuit After Being in a Pedestrian Accident?
The best time to file a lawsuit after a pedestrian accident is after getting released from the hospital and collecting your medical records. This can help ensure that all the evidence is fresh and will be easier to track down. Any evidence that you collect and bring to your lawyer can help strengthen your case and make it more likely that you will receive compensation for your injuries.
You should also write down everything that you remember about the accident as soon as possible. The sooner you write down your account of what happened, the easier it will be for you to remember the details and for your lawyer to use your statement as evidence in your case.
The sooner you file your lawsuit, the sooner you can have justice. Court cases can take a long time to resolve, which is why it’s important to get the ball rolling as soon as you have enough evidence to work with.
What Types of Damages Can You Receive From a Personal Injury Lawsuit for a Pedestrian Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to receive funds for a wide variety of damages as a result of your pedestrian accident.
Some of the most common damages available in a pedestrian accident lawsuit include:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Cost of Rehabilitation
- Pain and Suffering
- Permanent Injury
- Disfigurement
A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you seek damages and fight for you in court. Having a talented and experienced personal injury lawyer can increase your chances of being awarded compensation.
Gathering Evidence After Being in a Pedestrian Accident
Evidence is essential to have on hand when filing a lawsuit after a pedestrian accident. While the details of your accident may not seem significant at the time, they may be crucial to your case in the future. As soon as you are physically able to do so, you should gather and preserve any evidence that could be relevant to your case.
Things that you can use as evidence include:
- Police reports
- Pictures
- Video of the accident scene
- Medical records
- Witness testimonies
While some information might not seem like evidence, your lawyer may be able to use it to strengthen your case.
Find a Qualified Attorney
When you’ve gathered as much evidence as you can and made a decision about when you want to file a lawsuit, it’s time to find an attorney. Finding a qualified attorney is crucial to your case and can help ensure that you receive the compensation you’re owed.
Once you’ve found an attorney, make sure to discuss your case and decide when you want to file a lawsuit. Your lawyer will work with you to build a strong case and make sure that your rights are protected.
Have You Been in a Pedestrian Accident in Florida? Call Anidjar & Levine!
If you have been injured by a driver in a pedestrian accident in Florida, the personal injury lawyers at Anidjar & Levine can help. We have a highly experienced legal team ready to fight for you and help you get the compensation you deserve.
The sooner you call our office, the sooner we can review your case and get started. We understand that every case is unique, which is why our clients get individualized attention.
In an accident? The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Can Help.
Our injury attorneys assist people in Florida who have been injured in a Fort Lauderdale car accident caused by negligent drivers, road rage, and more. Contact us today to explore your legal options and determine if you qualify for financial compensation. You may be able to collect compensation for medical bills, loss of wages, disability, and other losses related to your injuries.
Call the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine at 1-888-816-9520 for a free consultation.