Hire a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
More than 100,000 pedestrians were sent to the hospital after car accidents in 2020, and more than 7,000 people died in motor vehicle-related crashes. A pedestrian accident can cause devastating injuries, lead to financial hardships, and take you out of work for weeks. Get compensated if you were injured in a pedestrian accident with the help of an experienced lawyer. Here are the seven signs that you need to hire a pedestrian accident attorney.
1. The Driver Fled the Scene
After an accident, a driver should remain at the scene. They should call 911 and check to see if you are okay. If they know first aid, they should administer it to you.
It is a crime to flee the scene of an accident that results in injury. If your driver flees, you should call 911 and report them. Tell the dispatcher any details you can remember about the driver, including the color of the vehicle, make, and model.
You should then talk to a lawyer and open a pedestrian accident case. You have a strong case if the driver fled the scene and if you sustained a serious injury. The driver may face criminal charges, and their actions can be used to establish liability in a civil court.
2. Injuries Were Sustained
After a car wreck, you need to see a doctor and get a full medical evaluation. Serious car accident injuries like bleeding in your brain can be subtle, and they can result in major complications if you don’t get treatment.
Treatment costs can be high, and the worse your injuries are, the more expensive your treatments will be. Your lawyer can contact your insurer and get compensation from them.
They can also sue the driver so you can cover your medical expenses. You can get additional money for your pain and suffering, which will help you cover the cost of psychological therapy.
3. Experiencing a Disability
A car accident can cause you to lose a limb or sustain long-term cognitive damage. This may make it hard for you to work or change your quality of life.
You may need ongoing physical and occupational therapy. One session of physical therapy can cost as much as $75, even after your health insurance company covers part of the cost.
Even a temporary disability can cause you to lose wages. You may need to take a job with fewer responsibilities and hours, which can hurt your job mobility and career prospects. An attorney can talk to your employer about your job and help you get compensation to cover your therapy bills.
4. Property Was Damaged
In addition to claiming compensation for your injuries, you can claim compensation for damaged pieces of property. Your cell phone may have been smashed, or you may have been carrying valuables that got damaged.
The key is that you get clear figures for the cost of damages. If you had to buy a new cell phone or computer, you should keep the receipt for it.
5. A Loved One Was Killed in a Pedestrian Accident
You can file a lawsuit if your loved one was killed in the collision. You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible so you preserve evidence and start your lawsuit in a timely fashion.
Try to find an attorney who is familiar with wrongful death cases. It is okay to go to a personal injury attorney, but wrongful death attorneys have more experience with cases similar to yours.
You can get money for your loss of companionship and grief. If you went to a psychiatrist, keep records related to your appointments. The records can indicate that you had a strong emotional response to what happened.
6. Insurance Is Not Cooperating
When a pedestrian accident is reported to insurance companies, an adjuster will investigate the incident. This is done to gain an understanding of what happened. This process includes conducting an interview. Additionally, they look at medical records and bills to determine how much you should be compensated.
Even if you tell the other party’s insurance how much they owe, an adjuster may deny your claim or limit how much money you get.
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident and the driver is not caught, you can potentially be compensated by your personal insurance company. However, they will also attempt to pay out as little as possible.
Before speaking with an insurance company, you should call an attorney and ask them to talk to the adjuster. Your attorney will protect your rights and facilitate all communication between you and the insurer. If they deny your claim, your attorney can appeal the denial and get you the money you need.
7. The Driver Is Blaming You
At-fault parties may blame pedestrians in their case, stating that the accident occurred because the pedestrian was jaywalking or wearing dark clothing that made them hard to see.
California is a comparative negligence state. You can claim damages after any accident. However, your compensation is reduced by your fault percentage. For example, if the jury finds that you were 10% responsible for the accident, you will only claim 90% of damages. You need an attorney to fight for you if you’re being blamed for the accident.
Talk to a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
You need to protect yourself after a pedestrian accident. If the driver flees or if you develop significant injuries, you need to report the pedestrian accident to the police and then get a lawyer.
You should not talk to an insurance company by yourself. They will do anything to deny your claim, and a lawyer can use their knowledge to build a case for you. You must get a lawyer if the driver blames you for the collision.
Find an experienced attorney specifically for auto accidents in Orange County. Coast Car Accident Lawyers serves the Huntington Beach region. Contact us today for a free consultation.
