The stakes can not be higher in a pedestrian accident case. You may have suffered physical injuries that will result in significant expenses and other losses, perhaps for the rest of your life. However, you are also up against an insurance company that knows the stakes and wants to avoid the full consequences of their driver’s actions.
The most effective way to maximize your chances of getting the compensation you deserve after a pedestrian accident is to retain a lawyer as soon as possible. A pedestrian accident attorney will evaluate your case, determine fault, and go to bat against the insurance company on your behalf. Read on to learn why you need a pedestrian accident attorney after an accident.
Pedestrian Injuries are Often Serious
Pedestrian accidents can result in severe injuries due to the lack of protection for individuals on foot. When a pedestrian is involved in a collision with a vehicle, the consequences can be life-altering.
One common type of injury sustained in pedestrian accidents is broken bones. The impact of a vehicle can cause fractures in the legs, arms, and pelvis. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, and can take months to fully heal.
Pedestrians may also suffer from head injuries. The force of the impact can cause traumatic brain injuries, which can lead to long-term cognitive and physical disabilities. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any symptoms following a pedestrian accident, such as headaches, dizziness, or confusion.
Spinal cord injuries are another serious consequence of pedestrian accidents. The spinal cord is responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. When the spinal cord is damaged due to an accident, it can result in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries often require extensive rehabilitation and lifelong medical care.
You Must Prove Fault Before You Can Receive a Settlement Offer
You cannot obtain compensation for your losses if you cannot prove that the driver was to blame for your pedestrian accident. This is true whether you are proceeding through the insurance claims process or filing a lawsuit in court. Proving negligence means you have evidence the driver did something unreasonable under the circumstances that caused your injuries.
As a claimant, you have the burden of proof to show that the driver was the one to blame. You must have evidence that shows what actions they took that caused your injuries. This can be difficult without legal knowledge and resources, especially when you have serious injuries. The best way to ensure you can establish the driver’s fault is to retain a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.
You Must Know the Amount of Your Damages
Next, You will also need to know how much compensation you should seek when you file a claim or lawsuit. The insurance company knows exactly what your case is worth, and they will leverage that information in settlement negotiations if you do not have it yourself. A pedestrian accident attorney can evaluate all of your losses, work with experts, and study your circumstances to learn the value of your case. Without the assistance of a lawyer, you run the risk of accepting a settlement offer far below the actual value of your case.
Do Not Try to Handle the Insurance Company on Your Own
Dealing with the insurance company is the last thing that you should do when you are living with the effects of your pedestrian accident injuries. They do not care that you are injured and in desperate need of any money you will get in a settlement. All they are interested in is their bottom line and how to avoid fully paying you the pedestrian accident damages that you rightly deserve. They will stop at nothing to get the better of you in the legal process, resorting to underhanded tricks, such as unfairly trying to blame you for what happened, either completely or partially.
Your pedestrian accident attorney’s role is to be your advocate and protector when an insurance company is involved in your case. They will draft and file the claim or complaint and fight for you throughout the legal process. Chances are that you will engage in settlement negotiations to resolve your pedestrian accident claim. If the insurance company does not have any fear of potential consequences, they will take as many liberties with your legal rights as they possibly can. When the insurance company sees that you have a pedestrian accident attorney in your corner, they will view your case differently. Specifically, they will take your case more seriously and offer a much better settlement.
The prospect of a pedestrian accident lawsuit keeps an insurance adjuster awake at night. They know their employer will need to pay an insurance defense attorney, which can raise their costs of doing business. The insurance company may be more willing to reach a fair settlement with you, and they may do it more quickly to keep the case out of court.
How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Your pedestrian accident attorney can keep you from making a mistake that can compromise your case. All it takes is one loose statement to make the insurance company think they have leverage over you in settlement negotiations. They may even think they can get away with denying your claim because they have something on the record that might undercut it.
Most importantly, a pedestrian accident lawyer keeps you from having to directly engage in the legal process yourself. You remain involved in your case because you are the one who makes the decisions, but you will have your lawyer’s advice about what you should do before you have to decide anything. They will ensure that you thoroughly understand your case and the legal process and give you their best advice about what you should do at various junctures in the legal process. Then, a pedestrian accident lawyer can take the fight to the insurance company in the claims process.
If you have suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, you need a lawyer, you should retain one immediately. Any moment that you are unprotected by an attorney is an extremely dangerous one for you. Money is a non-issue when it comes to getting legal help because you do not need to write an actual check to your pedestrian accident lawyer. All you need to do is promise to pay them a percentage of your settlement should you receive one. In reality, the pedestrian accident lawyer is well worth this money because you can end up with even more in your pocket than if you tried to represent yourself in the legal process.