If you are hit by a car as a pedestrian, you should seek immediate medical treatment to evaluate your injuries. If possible, you should also collect evidence, such as pictures of the accident scene, the at-fault driver’s insurance information, and witnesses’ contact information.
As soon as your injuries are stable, you should contact a personal injury lawyer in Boca Raton to discuss your legal options. Hiring an attorney gives you access to the experience, knowledge, resources, and reputation to pursue and recover the money you need and deserve based on your case facts. Most injury law firms provide free consultations for injured accident victims.
What Should My Priorities Be After a Pedestrian Injury Accident?
Many pedestrians hit by cars suffer serious or catastrophic injuries. You must focus on treatment and healing to ensure you get the care you need to recover as fully as possible.
If your injuries are serious, you likely received medical care immediately following your accident. If not, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. You will want to receive a diagnosis for your injuries and get treatment. Getting medical care as quickly as possible is essential for your healing and supporting your legal case.
While you wait for the ambulance to arrive, if your injuries allow, collect as much evidence from the scene as possible. Helpful evidence could include:
- Photos or videos of the accident scene and your injuries
- The responsible driver’s contact and insurance information
- Contact information for any eyewitnesses
Once your injuries have healed enough, you should consider hiring an auto accident lawyer. If your loved one suffered catastrophic injuries and cannot make the call to an attorney on their own, you should contact a local law firm for a case assessment on their behalf.
Who Is Legally Responsible for My Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
Your pedestrian accident lawyer will identify the potentially liable parties in your case and gather evidence to build a compelling case against them and prove your damages, such as:
- A copy of the police report
- Your medical records
- Dash cam or surveillance video of the crash
Generally, the at-fault party is the driver who hit you. Your personal injury attorney will build a case showing that the driver acted negligently, and this led to the physical, emotional, and financial harm you endured. This case will support your insurance claim or lawsuit and show why you should receive the money your attorney demands on your behalf.
If a commercial vehicle hit you, the driver may not be the only liable party. For example, truck accident lawyers often hold trucking companies accountable for pedestrian accidents caused by their drivers. This is because of a legal doctrine known as respondeat superior. Employers are generally responsible for their workers’ negligence if they are managing work-related tasks when an accident occurs.
What Are the Recoverable Damages in a Pedestrian vs. Car Collision?
When you pursue money based on your pedestrian accident and injuries, you can seek compensation for almost any expense or loss you incurred. Your personal injury lawyer will identify, document, and calculate your costs, using them to determine a fair settlement range.
You do not want to overlook any expenses, future costs, or intangible losses you experienced. Your attorney’s experience and knowledge of similar cases will reduce your chances of leaving money on the negotiating table.
Some of the most common recoverable damages available in a pedestrian accident case include:
- Medical expenses, current and future
- Care and support costs
- Income losses
- Diminished earning ability for long-term injuries
- Related expenses
- Pain and suffering and other noneconomic losses
If your loved one died from their pedestrian accident injuries, your family can seek many of the same types of damages. These could include:
- The victim’s losses between the accident and their death
- The family’s financial losses
- Medical, funeral, and burial expenses
- Noneconomic losses suffered by the family
How a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help With Your Injury Case
When you hire a pedestrian accident lawyer to manage your legal case, you can focus on your injuries and treatment. It can be almost impossible for a victim—especially one with significant injuries—to continue their rehabilitation, communicate with the parties involved, and file an insurance claim.
When you hire an attorney to manage your pedestrian accident case, there is no need to attempt this balancing act. Your injury lawyer will take over all communication with the liable party and their insurance carrier. They will begin an investigation of the crash and gather evidence to support a fair payout. Finally, they will navigate all the steps in the legal process on your behalf.
Most successful personal injury claims settle without needing to go to trial. The personal injury attorney negotiates a fair settlement with the insurance company, recovering the money the victim needs to cover their current and future costs. If this is not possible or there is another reason why a trial is necessary, the lawyer will handle the lawsuit and ensure the client knows what to expect.
How Quickly Do I Need to Act After Being Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian?
Each state sets deadlines for filing a lawsuit. Under Florida’s statute of limitations (Florida Statutes § 95.11), you likely only have two years to begin a lawsuit. However, you should act much sooner.
Evidence to support a claim with the driver’s insurance carrier or a civil lawsuit can disappear quickly following a crash. It might be challenging or impossible to recover essential evidence if you wait too long. The sooner you hire a lawyer to begin their investigation of your pedestrian accident, the better.
If your loved one died from their injuries, a wrongful death lawyer can help. In Florida, only the decedent’s personal representative (generally their estate executor) can file this type of lawsuit, per Florida Statutes § 768.21. An attorney will help you determine what steps your family needs to take.
Discuss Your Pedestrian Accident Injuries With Our Team for Free
Ged Lawyers provides free case consultations for pedestrian accident victims and their families. Let our team assess your options and explain how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve based on applicable laws and case facts.
Contact us now to get started.
