If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you will want to get medical attention and find a good pedestrian accident lawyer to help you. You may be entitled to receive compensation for the physical injuries you sustained and for punitive damages as well.
Find a lawyer with a strong track record
When you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being injured in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to seek out an experienced California pedestrian accident lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve. These accidents can be devastating and can even lead to death.
If you are suffering from injuries caused by a pedestrian accident, it is imperative to get the medical care you need to heal. You may also have an opportunity to receive compensation for lost wages and ongoing care. But you don’t want to accept the first settlement offer you receive.
Pedestrians are vulnerable to the negligent actions of drivers, and accidents can be devastating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tracks pedestrian crashes across the country. They found that nearly 10 percent of all pedestrian crashes resulted in fatalities.
Fortunately, there are laws in place to protect pedestrians in New York. Those laws include a two-year statute of limitations on filing a lawsuit.
Get medical attention after the accident
If you’re a pedestrian and you’ve been injured in a car accident, you should seek medical attention right away. Getting care soon will prevent serious, even life-threatening, injuries. You can also use the services of an attorney to help you make a claim for compensation.
Pedestrians hit by cars often have to spend thousands of dollars in medical bills. Fortunately, their personal vehicle insurance may cover most of the cost. However, you should be aware that the insurance company may try to argue that you weren’t seriously injured in the crash.
While some injuries take hours to appear, you should get evaluated as quickly as possible. Injuries to your internal organs can be more serious if left untreated.
Pedestrians should also call 911 to report the accident. If you are unable to call, you can take a photo of the scene and the license plate of the vehicle that hit you. Then, ask the driver for their license and their insurance information.
Sue the at-fault driver for economic and non-economic damages
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be wondering how you can sue the at-fault driver for economic and non-economic damages. These two types of damages can vary in value, depending on a number of factors.
To sue the at-fault driver, you must show that the other driver was negligent. This is done by proving that the other party owed you a duty of care, that the driver breached that duty, and that the breach caused the injury.
Whether you can sue the at-fault person directly or through their insurance company depends on the facts of your case. There are many variables, including your injuries, the at-fault party’s insurance coverage, and the extent of any damage to your vehicle. Ultimately, a lawyer can help you explore your options for obtaining compensation.
Often, the first place to seek compensation is through the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They can provide you with an estimate of how much your claim is worth. However, you might be required to file a lawsuit in order to get a financial settlement.
Seek punitive damages
If you’ve been in an accident that involved another driver, you may be eligible to seek punitive damages. This type of compensation is meant to discourage future negligent behavior.
When an accident happens, a personal injury attorney will assess the facts of the accident to determine whether or not the victim deserves compensation. The damages that are awarded will include compensatory and non-economic damages. While it is not possible to specify the exact amount of punitive damages that should be paid, they should be fairly substantial.
Punitive damages are meant to punish a defendant for egregious, reckless behavior. These types of awards are only available in cases where the at-fault party was aware of the risks that would arise, but still violated a community standard.
To qualify for punitive damages, the defendant must show that he or she committed a malice, which means that the defendant intentionally caused an injury or death. Examples of malice include reckless driving, fraudulent behavior, and malicious acts.