Accidents happen every day, but pedestrian accidents are especially scary. Injuries, both physical and psychological, tend to be severe, even catastrophic. Talk to a lawyer about getting fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
If you were struck by a car while traveling on foot, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. You have a limited time to file personal injury claims, and if the filing deadline passes, you might lose your opportunity for compensation. An attorney can help you prepare to file your lawsuit by finding evidence to back up your claims. Evidence often comes from the location of the accident, but we can help you explore other possible sources. Damages in pedestrian accident cases may be on the higher side, especially if you were badly hurt. Medical bills, costly property damage, pain, suffering, and humiliation might only be the tip of the iceberg. Many pedestrian accidents happen in crosswalks, parking lots, and other places where pedestrians and vehicles might cross paths.
Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357, talk to our pedestrian accident attorneys about your claims, and schedule a free, confidential review of your case.
When to Contact a Lawyer About Your Pedestrian Accident Claims in Hoover, AL
The wheel of justice begins to turn on the exact day of your accident, whether you realize it or not. If you want to take legal action and file a lawsuit to get compensation, you have a limited time to do so. Under Alabama law, personal injury claims, including those for pedestrian accidents, must be filed within 2 years of the accident. If you miss the deadline, you might lose your right to sue.
A 2-year deadline might sound like plenty of time to file a lawsuit, but you would be surprised how much time and effort goes into a lawsuit and how long it can take to get everything ready to file. You might not be able to speak with an attorney about beginning your case until you have somewhat recovered. If you were severely injured, you might be in the hospital for a few days or even a few weeks before you can call an attorney, eating into your time to file. If possible, have a friend or family member reach out to our pedestrian accident lawyers on your behalf, and we can begin preparation on your case while you rest and recover.
You might also wonder whether your claims are worth taking legal action over. Even if you are not sure your damages are worth a lot of money or your claims are worth the headache of a lawsuit, you should still talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can help you determine if a lawsuit is the best way for you to get fair compensation or if you have other legal options at your disposal.
Evidence to Help Prove Your Claims in a Pedestrian Accident Case in Hoover, AL
It is one thing to submit your claims to a court of law. It is quite another to prove them successfully. You need evidence to prove your claims and be awarded compensation. While people associate evidence with the courtroom, we need to start gathering evidence long before your case is even filed.
Your complaint is the legal document initiating your lawsuit, and we must include specific details. Among the many details we must include is information about evidence. We do not need enough evidence in the complaint to prove your claims definitively, but we should have enough to show that your claims are valid and that a trial is warranted.
Evidence from the scene of the accident might include photos and videos. If possible, you should take pictures of the accident scene, vehicles, people, street signs, and everything else at the scene of the accident. While these might seem like random photos and videos to you, they are evidence that can help shed light on how your accident occurred and how the defendant is responsible.
We can also use your medical record to establish the severity of your injuries and the cost of your medical treatment. This might be very important if your injuries are severe or you experienced medical complications.
We can also find witnesses to testify in your favor at the trial. For example, another driver might have watched as the defendant hit you with their car, and they can testify about what they saw. If your pedestrian accident happened somewhere crowded, like a busy parking lot or a crosswalk, there might be numerous witnesses we can contact.
Damages You Can Recover in Pedestrian Accident Lawsuits in Hoover, AL
Your damages are one of the most important yet difficult aspects of your lawsuit. Damages generally reflect all the things you lost and experienced because of the defendant’s negligent behavior. In pedestrian accidents, this largely encompasses physical injuries, medical expenses, emotional anguish, and lost income.
Medical bills often include things like the bill from an emergency room visit and any treatment you received before being released from the hospital. Additional charges might be for aftercare, including pain medicine, mobility aids like crutches, and physical therapy. If your injuries are severe, you might also need costly surgery or future medical care.
Painful injuries and invasive medical treatment often take a deep emotional toll on injured plaintiffs. The fear and trauma of being hit by a car might follow a person for years or even for life. Although your pain and suffering did not necessarily cost you money or come with a bill, a jury may still award you financial compensation.
In cases where plaintiffs are so badly hurt that they cannot return to work, they may claim damages for the income they lose. For example, you might have to take a leave of absence from your job for several weeks while you recover. If that time is not paid, you can claim it as part of your economic damages. You might also claim lost future earnings if you cannot work indefinitely.
Call Our Hoover, AL Pedestrian Accident Attorneys for Help
Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 and speak to our pedestrian accident attorneys about your claims and arrange a free, private evaluation of your case.
