Devastating injuries often occur in Hattiesburg pedestrian accidents. Even if a car is traveling slowly, the force of an impact can be severe on a pedestrian, who has virtually no protection.
Fortunately, negligent drivers can be held liable for the damages they cause in a pedestrian accident lawsuit. Careless drivers can strike almost anywhere, but pedestrian accidents tend to occur where pedestrians are forced to trust drivers, like intersections and parking lots. Pedestrian accident lawsuits could become complex quickly, especially if the driver fled the scene or more than one person caused your injuries. We can investigate your case and gather the evidence you will need to prove your case.
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver, our Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawyers can help you recover the damages you are entitled to for your injuries. Contact Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free case evaluation.
Common Locations of Pedestrian Accidents in Hattiesburg, MS
Pedestrian accidents can occur anytime and in almost any place. However, there are certain places where pedestrian accidents are much more likely to occur. Wherever cars and pedestrians are close to each other, like intersections and parking lots, devasting accidents are bound to happen. In severe cases, a reckless driver might lose control of the vehicle and hit an unsuspecting pedestrian. Our Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawyers can help you build the strongest case possible, no matter where you were injured.
Intersections
Arguably, the most common place for a pedestrian accident in Hattiesburg is a crosswalk at an intersection. Many intersections in Hattiesburg have several lanes in both directions that pedestrians must cross to get to safety. If a driver fails to yield the right of way or runs a traffic signal at the wrong moment, the injuries could be catastrophic or worse.
Urban Areas
Accidents are also common in urban locations as pedestrians and vehicles travel close together. One might think that a driver would pay more attention when more pedestrians are around, but for some motorists, the pedestrians around them blend into the environment. If a driver is careless for even a moment, devastating injuries can result.
Drivers can easily become distracted by oncoming lights, other drivers, and especially their phones. Texting while driving has become a significant cause of accidents throughout Hattiesburg. Speeding in urban areas is also a major concern for pedestrians since a speeding driver might not be able to stop before striking one. Fortunately, victims can recover compensation in a Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawsuit from the at-fault driver.
Sidewalks and Road Shoulders
While less common than accidents at intersections, pedestrians can suffer some of the worst injuries if struck on a sidewalk or shoulder of the road. A pedestrian might not be facing the same direction as the car that ends up hitting them, giving them no opportunity to avoid or brace for the accident.
Some drivers veer onto a sidewalk or a road shoulder through simple negligence, just being careless behind the wheel. Other accidents are caused by vehicle malfunctions, like an engine failure or a tire blowout, which could be the fault of multiple parties other than the driver.
Parking Lots
Parking lots can also be dangerous locations for pedestrians trying to maneuver between parked and moving cars. Some parking lots can have multiple entrances and exits that might be hard for pedestrians to keep track of as they walk. If a pedestrian is unfamiliar with the pa parking lot or there are no walkways, inattentive drivers can cause an accident before they ow what has happened. More often than not, drivers concentrate on finding the right spot and pay little heed to the people walking around them. Our Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawyers can offer you the legal support you need if you were negligently injured in a parking lot or anywhere else.
Suing for Damages After a Pedestrian Accident in Hattiesburg, MS
Some pedestrian accident victims might wonder how they will pay to treat their injuries after being struck by a negligent driver. Fortunately, those injured will have a few options to recover compensation but can pursue the full range of damages they could be entitled to in a Hattiesburg lawsuit. The first step is to identify the negligent driver that injured you.
Single Driver Accidents
If the driver that caused your injuries stopped and exchanged information with you, identifying them to name in your lawsuit will not be difficult. The challenge is when a driver is hostile and unwilling to cooperate with an injured pedestrian after an accident. In these situations, it is best to wait for the police to arrive. They will be able to gather the other driver’s information, which will be included in the police report. If the other driver did not provide their information because they did not have insurance, they can still be sued for negligence.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Recovering compensation is more challenging if a pedestrian is the victim of a hit-and-run accident. While heinous, it is not uncommon for a driver to panic after hitting a pedestrian and flee the scene of the accident. This is a crime in Mississippi and should be reported to the police. Police will investigate your accident, which could help identify the driver so a lawsuit can be filed against them. We can also conduct our own investigation to locate the person that left you injured on the road.
Multiple Driver Accidents
Multiple drivers could also be responsible for your pedestrian accident injuries in Hattiesburg. It is common for more than one driver to bring about an accident negligently but determining how much of a victim’s damages each party should be responsible for can be difficult. However, each driver can be named in your lawsuit, where liability can be determined properly. Our Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawyers can review your case to ensure that every responsible party is named in your lawsuit.
Our Hattiesburg, MS Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help
If a negligent driver injured you in a pedestrian accident, our Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawyers can help you determine the right legal strategies to recover the compensation from the driver that caused you harm. For a free case review, call Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
