Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles are at greater risk for catastrophic injuries. Fractures or broken bones organ damage, trauma as well as spinal cord trauma and disfigurement are all common injuries.
A competent NYC pedestrian accident lawyer will assist victims to recover compensation for future and current medical expenses, rehabilitative care costs, income loss due to absence from work and other damages.
What to do after an Pedestrian Accident
If you walk along a road even with sidewalks and crosswalks there is a risk of being struck by a motor vehicle. If you are walking across the street or walking back to your car after shopping pedestrians could be seriously injured or even death if struck by a motor vehicle. If you've been struck by a car while on walking, you must immediately take action to protect your rights as a legal person and your financial interests. A New York pedestrian accident attorney can assist you through the complex process of filing for personal injury claims.
It is also recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible following a pedestrian accident. This should be done before discussing the incident with any insurance companies. Your adrenaline may mask any signs or symptoms, so it's critical to have an examination and diagnosis from a doctor. Delays in seeking treatment can hinder your ability to claim compensation for the losses or injuries you sustained.
After you've received medical attention, call the police and file an official report. You should get the name of the officer who was responsible, his badge number, and the case number assigned. This will make it easier to obtain a copy the police report when it's completed. Record any additional statements that you make to the police officer to ensure you have a complete picture.
Take pictures of the scene of the accident as well as your injuries if you're using an mobile phone. This could be crucial evidence to prove your claim. Lastly, try to get the names and contact numbers of witnesses who were present at the scene of the accident. This will provide evidence to support your claim, since it is difficult to determine fault without the testimony of other parties involved in a collision.
An attorney can assess your claim and determine which kinds of damages you're entitled to. These could include current and future medical expenses, rehabilitative expenses, lost wages resulting from absence from work, property damage, emotional distress as well as suffering and pain. why not try these out will maximize your compensation by making sure that all your losses are accurately recorded and properly accounted for.
Establishing Liability
Your lawyer can aid you in identifying who is responsible for your injuries and help you build an argument against the party or parties accountable. They will gather evidence like eyewitness testimony, CCTV footage and police reports in order to strengthen your case. They also work with accident-reconstruction experts who recreate the scene to determine factors like speed, impact angle, and more.
Other parties could be responsible for your injuries even if the driver who struck the pedestrian was typically at fault. If it can be proven that poor lighting or an obstruction to vision contributed to the accident, then you could also bring a lawsuit against the government agency responsible for road conditions. Depending on your state's laws and regulations, you may be entitled to compensation under the insurance policy that covers no-fault drivers.
Your lawyer can also review any evidence from a hit-and run accident and attempt to locate the driver that fled the scene. If you've been injured by an impaired driver, this is especially important to ensure that the driver is accountable for his or her actions.
In some states, pedestrians can also be at risk for not taking care for their safety. In New York, for example pedestrians must follow traffic signals and signs and remain alert in areas with high traffic volumes. If a judge decides that you were responsible for your accident, your damages could be reduced proportionally to the extent of your fault.
Your NYC pedestrian accident attorney can help you recover compensation to cover any medical costs you may have incurred including future ones, lost wages due to missed workdays, and the pain and suffering. They can also assist you in recovering compensation if you've suffered property damage or other damage. They will collaborate with experts in the field to accurately estimate your losses, so that they reflect the accident's full impact on your life. They can also negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you're compensated the right amount and don't fall victim to fraudulent tactics. They can also handle your interactions with insurance agents so that you don't have to take a lower offer.
Making a Claim
Pedestrian accidents can be a bit complicated and difficult to navigate without the help of a seasoned attorney. It's not always clear which option to pursue an injury claim or file a lawsuit for damages. Making the wrong choice could result in devastating financial consequences. For example choosing to settle with an insurance company may seem like a sensible option after being struck by a vehicle, but the reality is that their offer may not fully cover all of your losses.
The first step is to seek medical attention immediately for your injuries. It is essential to record the severity of your injury and the consequences that result, such as physical pain, emotional stress and loss of quality of life. It is also beneficial to keep track of any expenses that result from the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages from working hours missed and property damage.
The next step is to make a claim with the owner of the vehicle or the insurance company of the driver. In states that have no-fault laws the personal injury protection insurance of the driver, which is part of the majority of car insurance policies will pay for pedestrian's injuries regardless of who is responsible for the accident. In some cases, the pedestrian may be covered by their own auto insurance, according to the type of insurance they have.
Before filing any type of insurance claim, it's crucial to consult a New York pedestrian injury lawyer. Insurance companies are adept in settling claims that are less than their value. They also know how to uncover loopholes in the law that hinder you from recovering your full loss.
An experienced lawyer for pedestrian accidents from Shaevitz & Shaevitz can help you determine which avenue you should pursue to ensure the full recovery of your losses. We will review any settlement offered by the insurance company to ensure that it will cover your losses including medical expenses and lost wages due to missed workdays and emotional distress as well as the costs of rehabilitation. In certain situations, our firm can help you seek compensation from other parties that may be accountable for your losses. For example the city might be liable for poorly designed sidewalks and crosswalks or a business could be liable for drivers who are on duty.
Recovering Compensation
Being struck by a vehicle is a devastating and life-altering incident. It could result in severe medical expenses and loss of income from missed work. It could also cause ongoing pain and emotional distress. You require an attorney to help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation. The best option is an attorney with prior experience with pedestrian accident claims. They know how to calculate the full amount of damages and can deal effectively with insurance companies.
A NYC pedestrian accident attorney with experience can gather evidence in court to show that pedestrians have the right of way in a variety of traffic situations. They will utilize video footage along with police reports and witness testimony to construct an argument that is solid for you. This will give you the best chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the accident.
You can only get the amount of compensation you require after being hit by a pedestrian vehicle when you hire a lawyer. Your lawyer will also safeguard you from being taken advantage of of the insurance company of the driver who was at fault and negotiate an equitable settlement for you.
Depending on the extent of your injuries you could be entitled to the compensation you deserve for your economic and non-economic damage. Economic damages are medical expenses and lost income. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering.
New York is an insurance no-fault state. This means that any injury claim must be filed with the car insurance company of the driver responsible. However, if your injuries meet the serious threshold for injuries, you may sue the driver directly for negligence.
It is recommended to contact a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident, since the statute of limitations is very short. A knowledgeable and experienced lawyer will guide you through the procedure of filing an injury claim and make sure you have all the necessary evidence in place before the deadline runs out.