Pedestrians face a significant amount of danger on the road. Surprisingly, the number of pedestrians getting killed in crashes involving vehicles has increased by 10% in the United States.
However, these are just numbers until you or your loved one is hit by a vehicle. There is nothing more devastating and traumatic than getting hit by a car on the road. During that challenging time, not many people think of hiring a professional lawyer for help.
But the process can be highly complicated and frustrating. If you’re not sure when and why to hire a skilled pedestrian lawyer, do not worry. This guide is going to shed light on nine signs that you should look at in your case. Read on to explore in detail:
1. Severe Injuries after Accident
An injured pedestrian can experience a broad range of ailments because of the accident. Even a minor accident can cause bumps, bruises, and scrapes. On the contrary, a situation can be intense and related to spinal cord injury, damage to the skeletal, soft tissue damage, or traumatic brain injuries.
For recovery, medical treatment can cost you more than you can imagine. However, a lawyer can help you calculate the full extent of your injury costs. This way, it will be easier for you to demand rightful compensation according to the wage loss, medical bills, disability, or any ongoing therapy.
2. Questions over Fault
Many people assume that the driver is always at fault in a wreck involving a pedestrian. However, this isn’t true in these cases. Every accident on the road is unique and has different details and circumstances.
Therefore, defining who was liable for the damage takes time and demands detailed research. There are some accidents that have clear facts that readily answer the question of fault. Some have murkier facts that can bring up questions of fault.
Simply put, if a pedestrian darts out in front of a vehicle at the last second, the driver can question and blame that person for the accident. Therefore, hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer is essential to collect all the evidence necessary to argue the liability.
The lawyer can also bring the experts who can testify about their analysis of the physical damage.
3. Insurance Claim Denial
There is nothing more frustrating than handling the insurance company. The first thing that you or a loved one is going to face is flat-out denial of insurance. The insurance provider will refuse to work with you or agree to a settlement.
When it happens, you might not find any way to handle the expenses after the accident. However, hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer can help you pursue the next steps successfully. The lawyer will gather all the evidence and file the lawsuit on your behalf. Your lawsuit will later go to trial, where a judge will hear your and the other party’s arguments.
4. Low Settlement Offer
After you have filed a claim with the driver’s insurance company for the pedestrian accident, they will evaluate your claim and provide you with a settlement offer. No lie, but the insurance companies are all known for offering the lowest settlement offers to the victims.
So, if they reach out for the offer, it is better to consider negotiations with the insurance company. By hiring an experienced lawyer, you can get help with the negotiation in this matter. As the lawyer will be well aware of all the damages you have been through, they will help in securing compensation accordingly.
5. Near To Missing Out On Filing Claim
In most accident cases, people are not aware of the deadline for filing lawsuits. Car accident and pedestrian laws vary from state to state and have different statutes of limitations. Only a skilled lawyer in this case can help you file the claim without missing out on the deadline.
For example, if you had an accident in Las Vegas, a Las Vegas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer will be your guide in this matter. This way, you will get peace of mind knowing that the lawyer will handle the process while you focus on the recovery.
6. Chances of Long-Term Disability
One of the most significant risks involved in a pedestrian accident is facing a long-term disability. This can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life. In the worst cases, the injury could prevent you from continuing your professional career.
This means you can have a wage loss and have to handle the financial burden. This could be an intensively life-changing moment, which can traumatize you more.
So, if you have fear related to this and are not sure, it’s your sign to hire the most experienced and reliable pedestrian accident lawyer. The lawyer will work with the medical professional and collect all the evidence that will indicate the extent of the injury.
This way, you can seek compensation to cover the ongoing care and future treatment needs.
7. A Government Entity Is Involved
There are some rare cases when a government entity is involved in a pedestrian accident, which can be more complicated to deal with. Therefore, you need to talk to your lawyer first if you find yourself in a similar situation.
Remember, in this case, the statute of limitation is significantly shorter. The lawyer will know other procedures that you must comply with. This way, you can have legal protection for recovery while your case is in court.
8. Wrongful Death
If your loved one was involved in a pedestrian accident, you might find yourself facing a wrongful death action. The victim’s estate and family bring a claim against the liability party. Here, a wrongful death lawyer can help you determine the full extent of the damage.
However, if you have already hired a pedestrian accident lawyer, the lawyer will have the resources to handle the process.
9. Driver Fled From the Scene
In most cases, the drivers involved in the accident try to flee away from the scene due to panic. In such times, you will wonder what to do next.
This can result in challenges in reporting the driver and getting information about the insurance company.
Whatever the situation you face, you must file a police report and then contact an attorney to handle the case. They will offer assistance to track down the liable party and hold them accountable for the accident.
