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Pedestrian accidents are often incredibly damaging, and an injured victim and their family may wonder how they can ensure accountability and recover compensation for such an incident. An experienced New Haven pedestrian accident lawyer can be an invaluable asset in this situation. If you or a loved one is struggling with the effects of a pedestrian accident, your attorney can help you pursue accountability and compensation for your damages.
Walking to a destination is a healthy choice, and a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. However, there are unfortunately times when it doesn’t go as expected, and all that it takes is a negligent motorist. Pedestrians are no match for a moving vehicle, and victims of such accidents are likely to suffer serious, life-altering injuries. If you or a loved one has been hit by a car or another type of vehicle, contact our office today to speak with a New Haven personal injury lawyer.
If you need legal representation to help you file a personal injury suit for a pedestrian accident in New Haven, it is vital to select an attorney who has proven experience handling cases like yours. The team at Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., has extensive experience with a wide range of complex personal injury suits, and we know the challenges you are likely to face in a pedestrian accident case in New Haven. There are several reasons you should choose us to represent you:
When you hire our team to represent you in a pedestrian accident case, we can immediately investigate the details of the accident and start gathering the evidence you will need to prove fault. We can also identify any witnesses who can testify for you and help you uncover the full scope of the damages you are eligible to include in your personal injury case.
Whenever a motor vehicle driver hits a pedestrian, even at relatively low speed, the victim is likely to suffer many serious injuries, some of which may be permanently damaging or even life-threatening if they do not receive immediate medical treatment. Victims who survive pedestrian accidents often suffer serious injuries, including:
With injuries this severe, recovery can take months or years. The victim may even be left with permanent disabilities and psychological trauma, which both can inhibit the ability to function and enjoy everyday life.
The first steps you take in the aftermath of any personal injury are crucial for ensuring your recovery. If you are physically able to do so, following these steps can help increase your chances of success with the recovery efforts you attempt. Protect your rights as a pedestrian by taking the following steps immediately after an accident:
Medical treatment must come first. If you are injured, move to safety, then call 9-1-1 and wait until you receive medical attention.
Write down exactly how the accident happened. In addition, take photos of anything at the scene that might have contributed to the collision, in order to help determine who was at fault.
Take down the names and numbers of any witnesses. Corroborating testimony from people at the scene can be critical to your claim.
Call the authorities, so they can come to the scene and fill out an accident report. Official documentation of the incident can also be vital when it comes to obtaining compensation.
Contact a New Haven pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. It’s never too early to get one involved, so they may help in collecting evidence and building your case. Evidence will only be present for a short while after the accident occurred.
Proving who had the right of way when a pedestrian accident occurs will likely be the determining factor in who is liable for any sustained injuries. It is possible for disputes over liability to arise, and you will need an attorney’s help to resolve any such issues and hold the correct party or parties accountable for your damages.
Handling your own injury claim may seem like the easiest and most cost-effective way to recover compensation. However, statistics show that hiring a lawyer to represent your case can exponentially increase the size of your eventual settlement. Insurance companies train their adjusters to pay out as little as possible, if they can’t deny a claim altogether. A common strategy used is to make an extremely low settlement offer in the hopes that the victim will not know any better and accept. A lawyer will know the value of your claim and protect you from such tactics.
Your recovery is also likely to entail an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver. Every driver in the state is required to have liability coverage that comes into play when they cause an accident, and this includes an accident involving a pedestrian. Dealing with insurance companies can be very difficult as they will almost always look for ways to avoid paying out fair settlements.
A New Haven pedestrian accident lawyer can help you navigate the insurance claim filing process if this is an option for your recovery and handle any disputes you encounter from the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. If they do not have insurance or their coverage cannot fully compensate you for your losses, then your attorney can help you build a comprehensive personal injury suit aimed at securing maximum compensation for your damages.
A successful personal injury suit in New Haven could potentially yield compensation for your immediate and future medical expenses resulting from your accident. If you are unable to work during your recovery, the defendant may also be liable for your lost wages, and if you will not be able to work in the future due to the severity of your injuries, the defendant is also likely responsible for the future income you are no longer able to earn.
Ultimately, the victim of a pedestrian accident is likely entitled to claim substantial compensation from the driver who hit them. The right attorney can make their recovery efforts easier to manage and more likely to yield positive results. The team at Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., is ready to assist you with building your personal injury suit and can guide you through your legal proceedings as efficiently as possible.
A: The damages you could recover for a pedestrian accident in New Haven can include any financial losses you suffered from the incident, along with compensation for your pain and suffering. You have the right to claim repayment of your medical bills and lost income; you can also seek compensation for future medical treatment costs and lost earning capacity. Your New Haven pedestrian accident lawyer can help you calculate your claimable damages.
A: In a pedestrian accident case, pain and suffering are typically calculated based on the overall severity of the victim’s damages and the scope of any long-term or permanent harm they have suffered from the incident. Generally, the more serious the injury, the more the plaintiff can expect in pain and suffering compensation. Your attorney can help you maximize this aspect of your case award to reflect the severity of your experience.
A: In a pedestrian accident case, comparative fault can come into play if a plaintiff is proven to have contributed to causing the accident. As long as they are found less at fault than the defendant, they can still recover compensation, but they will lose a percentage of their case award that reflects their share of liability for the damages cited in the claim. Your attorney can explain whether this is cause for concern in your pedestrian accident case.
A: You need a New Haven pedestrian accident lawyer because your case could be more challenging than it appears at first, and you are also more likely to maximize your recovery with an attorney’s help. The right attorney can be an invaluable asset through every stage of your personal injury case, from proving fault and holding the defendant accountable to maximizing the compensation you receive for your damages.
A: The cost to hire a New Haven pedestrian accident lawyer can amount to a percentage of your total case award when you choose Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., to represent you. We take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not charge upfront fees. We will only charge our client a fee if we win their case, and the contingency fee will be a percentage of the total amount we recover for their damages.
The right New Haven pedestrian accident lawyer can be a valuable asset for all aspects of your legal proceedings in the aftermath of a pedestrian accident someone else caused. If you or a loved one has fallen victim to a motorist, you may be entitled to hold them liable for expenses related to your injury. To learn about your rights and legal options, call Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C. at (203) 265-2035 to schedule a free consultation.