Many areas in and around Chattanooga are very walkable, and people tend to run errands and enjoy the city on foot. Unfortunately, drivers are not always as careful as they should be, and pedestrians can get hurt.
Drivers usually must yield to pedestrians, but many do not. Parking lots, crosswalks, and high-traffic areas like tourist destinations are common areas for pedestrian crashes. In many cases, only one driver is involved, and determining liability is a bit easier. In other cases, multiple drivers might have contributed to the accident, and determining liability is more of a challenge. You can claim damages for your economic losses and your non-economic losses. Strong evidence might include photos from the scene, security camera footage, and witness testimony. Your attorney can combine powerful evidence with persuasive arguments to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
If you were hit by a car, you might have severe injuries, high medical bills, and no way to cover your damages. Our Chattanooga, TN pedestrian accident lawyers can help you get justice in the form of fair compensation. For a free case evaluation, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Chattanooga, TN
Pedestrian accidents often happen in places where foot traffic runs near vehicle traffic. Parking lots, crosswalks, and high-traffic areas like tourist destinations are riskier for pedestrian accidents. Where your accident happened might help our Chattanooga, TN pedestrian accident lawyers determine who should be held liable and what evidence might be available.
Drivers tend to be less cautious in parking lots because they move slower and are off the road or highway. Unfortunately, this lack of caution often leads to serious pedestrian accidents. In a parking lot, numerous people walk to and from their vehicles, and cars entering or exiting the lot might strike someone. Parking lots can be especially dangerous on busy shopping days when people might be in a hurry.
Crosswalks and intersections are inherently dangerous, and drivers and pedestrians tend to be on guard in these places. Even so, a single negligent driver could cause a severe pedestrian accident, and crossing pedestrians rely on drivers to slow down and stop safely. If a driver fails to brake when people are crossing the street, they could hit a pedestrian. Injuries could be severe even if the driver is slowing down as they strike the pedestrian.
Pedestrian accidents are also somewhat common in high-traffic tourist areas. Many people take trips or vacations to Chattanooga, often with their families, and enjoy walking around and seeing the city. In areas where there might be lots of tourists and visitors, accidents might be more likely. When driving through more densely populated or heavily trafficked areas, drivers must be even more careful.
Figuring Out Who is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident in Chattanooga, TN
Determining liability is often difficult. It is common for someone hit by a car to be unsure who caused the accident and who should be named in a lawsuit. In such cases, it is important to talk to a lawyer about your case, even if you are hesitant to pursue legal action. Our Chattanooga, TN pedestrian accident attorneys can help you determine who should be named in a lawsuit and the extent of your legal options.
Pedestrians struck by a single driver may sue that driver for their injuries and damages. Ideally, the driver should immediately stop, call for help, and possibly render aid if necessary. If the driver does not exchange information with the pedestrian, their information can be collected from a police report about the crash. Unfortunately, not all drivers stop and provide their personal information. If you were the victim of a hit and run accident, our attorneys can work with law enforcement to find the defendant and identify them so we can sue. Keep in mind that hit and runs are criminal offenses, and drivers are usually criminally prosecuted before victims can sue them civilly.
Sometimes, multiple drivers are responsible for a pedestrian accident. This is sometimes the result of a chain reaction type of collision. For example, suppose driver A is speeding at an unsafe speed toward a crosswalk when driver B swerves in front of them without using their blinker. Next, suppose driver A strikes driver B from behind, causing driver B to hit a pedestrian in the crosswalk. Since both drivers were reckless and committed traffic violations, both might be liable for the crash.
Possible Damages You Can Recover in a Chattanooga, TN Pedestrian Accident Case
Damages in pedestrian accident cases tend to be quite significant since pedestrians often suffer severe injuries. Many plaintiffs report dealing with injuries for years after the accident, and ongoing medical care is sometimes necessary. Physical pain and emotional trauma also can be long-lasting. Our Chattanooga, TN pedestrian accident attorneys can help you evaluate your damages and demand adequate relief.
Non-economic damages often need to be discussed in greater detail as they are far more subjective than economic damages. Non-economic damages encompass negative personal experiences that stem from the accident. Physical pain is often significant in pedestrian accidents, and emotional trauma can last for years. Other non-economic damages might include humiliation or even damage to your reputation. Since these damages are so subjective, the final award amount is often up to the jury.
Evidence to Prove Your Claims in a Chattanooga, TN Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit
Lawsuits cannot be decided based on he-said-she-said scenarios. Evidence is necessary for a jury or judge to reach a verdict. Evidence might be tangible items you can hold up for a jury, testimony from witnesses, or intangible information. Evidence is sometimes difficult to obtain, and our Chattanooga, TN pedestrian accident lawyers have experience finding, gathering, and using evidence.
Photos and videos might be very strong evidence in a pedestrian accident case. If possible, you should take photos of the accident scene immediately. Doing so helps preserve important details about the accident before they are cleared away by law enforcement. Our Chattanooga, TN pedestrian accident lawyers can also check with nearby homes and businesses about security cameras. If a security camera recorded the accident, that video footage must be obtained.
Witnesses are also crucial to your case, especially if physical evidence is hard to come by. If your accident happened in a high-traffic area, numerous witnesses might testify about how the defendant caused the crash.
Contact Our Chattanooga, TN Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for Help Now
Being hit by a car can change someone’s entire life. The driver who hit you should be held accountable and made to pay you for your considerable damages. For a free case review, call our Chattanooga, TN pedestrian accident attorneys at Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.