New London Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
New London Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Pedestrians are especially vulnerable in car accidents, whether they’re hit while crossing a busy street or while walking on the sidewalk. Injuries in these accidents can be devastating, ranging from minor scrapes and bruises to severe traumatic brain injuries or even death. You shouldn’t be responsible for paying for the damages caused by a driver’s negligence. Work with a New London pedestrian accident lawyer to file a claim and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.
Establishing Negligence in a Pedestrian Accident
In order to pursue compensation for a pedestrian accident, you have to prove that another party acted negligently. This requires you to establish four elements:
- Duty of care: For a person to act negligently, they must have owed you a duty of care to prevent you from suffering harm. All drivers on the road owe other motorists and pedestrians a duty to drive safely.
- Breach of duty: By engaging in reckless behaviors like speeding, texting while driving, disregarding road signs, or driving under the influence, a motorist is breaching their duty of care.
- Causation: To prove the person is liable for the accident, you must prove that their breach of duty directly or indirectly led to the accident.
- Damages: To receive compensation, you must show that you suffered damages because of the accident, such as medical bills or time missed from work.
Damages Pedestrian Accident Victims Can Recover
In 2022, there were approximately 140,000 emergency department visits for injuries incurred in pedestrian accidents, apart from the over 8,000 fatalities in these incidents. Following a pedestrian accident, victims have the right to pursue various damages, both economic and non-economic.
Economic damages include tangible losses, including the costs of medical bills and follow-up appointments, lost wages, adaptive devices, and prescription costs. Non-economic damages are losses that don’t come with a price tag, but that doesn’t make them any less real. These damages include emotional distress, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of consortium.
You can also receive punitive damages, which are meant to punish defendants for particularly egregious behavior. Keep in mind that only a judge can award punitive damages, so these won’t be included as part of a settlement offer.
Consult an Attorney Before Accepting a Settlement
Connecticut is no stranger to these crashes, with the state seeing 1,474 pedestrian accidents in 2022. If you’ve been in a pedestrian crash, you’ll likely be approached by the liable party with a settlement offer. Before accepting, speak with a New London pedestrian accident attorney. It may be difficult to fully calculate your damages on your own, and you may end up leaving money on the table by accepting the first offer.
Remember, your case is over as soon as you accept, and you can’t ask for more later if unexpected expenses pop up. Your New London personal injury lawyer can account for the full scope of your damages, also including potential long-term costs of treating your injuries that might not be immediately apparent.
How Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law Can Help
At Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law, our team has been providing comprehensive legal services to the New London community for over eight decades. We can investigate the cause of your accident, collect evidence proving liability, and help you evaluate the total value of your damages. Our lawyers are experienced in nearly all personal injury matters, and our trial attorneys aren’t afraid of taking your case to court if settlement negotiations fail.
You don’t have to go through this challenging time on your own. The team at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law can guide you every step of the way.
FAQs
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Pedestrian Accident?
Various parties can be held liable in a pedestrian accident. Typically, the driver who hit you has the greatest share of fault. However, other parties can also be at fault, including government agencies responsible for road maintenance, vehicle manufacturers, commercial vehicle companies, and property owners. Your attorney can review all of the evidence to determine which parties may be liable for your damages.
Do I Need a Lawyer for My Pedestrian Accident Case?
While you can represent yourself in a pedestrian accident case, it’s wise to work with an experienced attorney. A lawyer can help investigate the accident, collect evidence to prove liability, and represent you in settlement negotiations and court proceedings. Additionally, pedestrian accident laws can be complicated, and opposing legal teams and judges won’t give you a break if you don’t know the relevant statutes.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was At Fault?
Yes, you can still recover compensation if you were at fault, provided you were less than 50% responsible for the crash. Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence system established under C.G.S. § 52-572h, which means you can recover compensation for an accident if your share of fault is less than that of all combined parties. Under this system, your award can be reduced by the percentage of fault you’re assigned.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
The cost of hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer varies case by case. Many attorneys charge on a contingency-fee basis, meaning they don’t get paid unless you recover compensation. Their payment is a percentage of your award. Your lawyer can explain their fee structure during your initial consultation so that there are no surprises at the end of your case.
Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, you should be focused on healing, not working hard to get the compensation you deserve. Hire a pedestrian accident lawyer from Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law for assistance in investigating your crash and collecting evidence for your case. We can help you pursue the compensation you deserve, whether in settlement negotiations with insurance companies or in the courtroom before a judge and jury.
Contact Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll discuss your case and help you understand your options for recovering compensation for your losses. Let us handle your case while you focus on your recovery.
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