Whether crossing the street or walking on the side of the road, the trauma of being hit by a car can result in severe injuries and even fatalities. With the NHTSA CrashStats estimates of 60,577 pedestrians injured in traffic crashes in 2021, an 11-percent increase from 2020, the risks for walking have never been greater. Even more troubling is the total fatalities that year, with over 7500 pedestrians killed nationally in traffic crashes.
If you have been hit by a car, understanding the legal options available is crucial for seeking compensation and justice. When pedestrians are involved in accidents with cars, they can face various physical, emotional, and financial challenges. After being hit by a car, the path to recovery is likely to be lengthy, given the severity of the injury. During this time, the physical and emotional trauma victims experience can be overwhelming. So can their medical bills. People who are hit by a car may incur significant medical expenses. This would include costs like ambulance, emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical treatments.
Adding to the financial stress of medical expenses is the certainty of lost wages. If you have been hit by a car, then there is little doubt you will be missing work and, in all probability, experience a loss of income because of it. This can be particularly challenging if severe injuries require an extended recovery period. This is why it is important to consult with a legal expert to navigate the legal process and protect your rights.
Understanding Your Rights and Legal Options
If you are hit by a car and experience financial and physical damages, you have legal options available to recover compensation for your injuries. In many cases, those hit by a car are generally entitled to seek compensation for their financial losses. The compensation can cover both economic and non-economic losses. In other words, compensation can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses.
To pursue compensation for your injuries, you must find out and understand your legal options. The best solution is to seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney.
An experienced personal injury attorney specializing in pedestrian accidents can help you understand your rights and explore the legal avenues available.
The Roles of a Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer serves as your chief advocate to guide you through the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent your interests to ensure you receive fair compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to assess the details of the car accident and provide legal advice regarding your potential claims and rights. Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and gather evidence to determine liability and support your claim. A personal injury lawyer works with medical professionals to document the extent of your injuries suffered.
Seeking Justice and Fair Compensation
As your advocate, your personal injury lawyer will handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure that justice is served and that you receive fair compensation. An experienced car accident lawyer can accurately calculate the full extent of damages. This would include all your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other losses you’ve suffered from being hit by a car.
Once that figure has been calculated, your personal injury lawyer can negotiate with insurers to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. They will represent you in court if a settlement cannot be reached.
If you or a family member has been involved in a pedestrian car accident, contact the law offices of Hardy, Wolf & Downing to speak with one of our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys. Our law firm has 48 years of experience investigating and prosecuting pedestrian accidents. Our legal team specializes in motor vehicle accidents and injuries, and we are dedicated to helping victims and their families find out and prove what happened to them. The first consultation is free, and our legal fees are contingent upon a successful prosecution, so it costs you nothing to discuss your case with one of our experienced Maine injury lawyers.