Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrians hit by vehicles are at greater risk of suffering severe injuries. Broken bones or fractures, organ damage, traumatizing injuries as well as spinal cord trauma and disfigurement are all common injuries.
A experienced NYC pedestrian accident lawyer will help victims recover compensation for future and current medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost income because of missed work, and other damages.
What to do following an Pedestrian Injury
When walking near a roadway even if it has crosswalks and sidewalks you're at risk of being struck by the vehicle. When crossing the street or jogging to the car to get food, pedestrians are at risk of serious injuries and death if struck by a vehicle. If you've been struck by a vehicle while walking, it is important to act immediately to protect your rights in the legal and financial realm. A New York pedestrian accident attorney can assist you through the complicated process of submitting personal injury claims.
You should also seek medical treatment as soon as you can following a pedestrian accident. It is essential to seek medical attention prior speaking with insurance companies. It's important to get a doctor's diagnosis and medical examination. Your adrenaline can cover up any signs or pain. Delays in seeking treatment can hinder your ability to claim compensation for your injuries or losses.
After you have received medical attention, you should call the police and file a report. You should obtain the name of the officer, his badge number and the case number that was assigned to him. This will make it easier to obtain a copy of the police report once it's completed. Make a note of any additional statements you provide to the police officer to ensure you have a complete picture.
If you own an Android phone, make sure you snap photos of the scene as well as the injuries. This can be important evidence to back your claim. In addition you should attempt to get the names and contact information of any witnesses present at the time of the accident. This can also be helpful evidence to support your case, as it can be difficult to establish liability without the testimony of any other people involved in the collision.
An attorney will evaluate your claim and determine what kinds of damages you're entitled to. They can include future and present medical expenses, rehabilitative costs as well as lost wages due missing work, property damages emotional distress as well as pain and suffering and emotional distress. A pedestrian accident attorney can maximize your compensation by ensuring that all your losses are appropriately accounted for and properly documented.
Establishing Liability
Your lawyer can help you determine who is responsible for your injuries and build an effective case against the responsible party or parties. They will look over evidence like CCTV footage, eyewitness testimony and police reports to discover important information that can help strengthen your claim. They also collaborate with accident reconstruction experts who recreate the scene to determine factors such as speed, impact angles, and more.
Other parties may be accountable for your injuries, even if the driver who hit the pedestrian was typically at fault. This could include the government agency in charge of road conditions and road safety, if it is proved that inadequate lighting or blocked views contributed to the accident. In accordance with the laws of your state and regulations, you may be eligible for compensation under the driver's no-fault insurance policy.
In addition, your lawyer can review any evidence of a hit-and-run accident and try to locate the driver who fled the scene. This is especially crucial if you've been injured by an impaired driver.
In some states, pedestrians are also liable for not exercising security measures. In New York, for example pedestrians must abide by traffic signals and signs and be vigilant in areas with high traffic volumes. If a judge decides that you contributed to the accident in some way, your damages may be reduced by the percentage proportional to your degree of blame.
Your NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can assist you in obtaining compensation for any current or future medical costs, lost wages due to missed workdays, injuries and suffering, property damage and other losses you've suffered. They will work with industry experts to accurately estimate your losses, so that they reflect your accident's full impact on your life. They can also negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you are compensated fairly and don't fall victim to bad-faith tactics. They can also handle your interactions with insurance agents so that you don't need to settle for less.
Making a Claim
Pedestrian accidents can be a bit complicated and confusing to navigate without the help of a seasoned attorney. It's not always clear which option to pursue an injury claim or sue for damages. A wrong decision can result in devastating financial consequences. For instance the option of settling with an insurance company might seem like a sensible option after you are hit by a car, however oftentimes their offers do not cover all of your losses.
It is important to seek medical attention for any injuries you've sustained. It is crucial to document the severity of your injury and its consequences like physical discomfort, emotional distress and loss of quality. It is also helpful to keep track of any costs that result from the accident, like medical bills, lost wages due to absences from work and property damage.
You'll then have to make a claim with the owner of the vehicle or the driver's insurance company. In states with no fault the driver's personal injury protection coverage typically forms included in every insurance policy for cars will take care of pedestrian's injuries, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. In certain instances the pedestrian could be covered by their own auto insurance, depending on what type of coverage they have.
Before filing any type of insurance claim, it's important to consult an New York pedestrian injury lawyer. Not only are insurance companies experts at settling claims for less than what they're worth however, they are also able to spot loopholes in the law that might stop you from recovering the full amount of your losses.
Shaevitz & Shaevitz, an experienced attorney for pedestrian accidents, can help you determine the best way to recover your losses. We can evaluate any settlement offer from the insurance company and ensure that it's sufficient to compensate you for your damages that include medical expenses and lost wages due to absences from work and pain and suffering, emotional distress and costs of rehabilitation. In certain cases we can also help in pursuing compensation from other parties who might be responsible for your losses, such as the city for its poorly designed crossingwalks and sidewalks, or a business if an driver on duty hits you.
Recovering Compensation
A car crash can be a life-changing event. It can leave you with serious medical expenses and lost income from missed work. It could also cause you to suffer from chronic pain and emotional stress. If you're in this position you require a lawyer who will help you recover the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. A lawyer with expertise in pedestrian accident cases is the best choice because they understand how to determine the total amount of damages you'll be entitled to and how to handle insurance companies that attempt to limit or deny your claim.
The right of way for pedestrians is guaranteed in many traffic situations and an experienced NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can collect evidence to demonstrate this in court. They will rely on witness testimony as well as video footage and police reports to build a strong case on your behalf. This will give you the best chance to recover the compensation you deserve to pay your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the accident.
You will only be able to get the compensation you need after being hit as a pedestrian by a vehicle if you hire a lawyer. Your lawyer will also shield you from being cheated of by the at-fault driver's insurance company and negotiate an amount that is fair to you.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could be able to claim compensation for your non-economic and economic damages. accident lawyers in my area include medical expenses and lost income. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering.
It is important to remember that New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means your injury claim will be filed with the at-fault driver's insurance company. If your injuries are serious, you can sue directly the driver for negligence.
It is recommended to contact an attorney for pedestrian accidents immediately following your accident, as the time limit for filing a claim is extremely short. A knowledgeable and experienced lawyer can guide you through the process of filing a personal injury claim and ensure that you have all the required evidence in place before the deadline expires.