Pedestrian accidents can occur suddenly and without warning, leaving victims with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, and emotional trauma. These accidents can occur in many different locations, from busy city intersections and crosswalks to residential streets, parking lots, and even rural roads.
Victims of pedestrian accidents can pursue payment for the damages they sustained. However, their routes to compensation may be complicated. Defendants in pedestrian accident lawsuits are often represented by insurance companies that hire teams of people to refute plaintiffs’ claims.
If you suffered a pedestrian accident in Prattville, AL, seek support and guidance from our pedestrian accident attorneys by calling Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
Establishing Fault for Your Pedestrian Accident in Prattville, AL
In order to recover monetary damages in your pedestrian accident lawsuit, you must be able to prove that your collision occurred because of the defendant’s negligent behavior. There are many different types of evidence that may be presented to establish this causal link. For example, any of the following may be utilized by our pedestrian accident lawyers:
Eyewitness Statements
Eyewitness statements are accounts provided by individuals who witnessed the pedestrian accident as it happened. These statements can be crucial in establishing fault as they offer real-time observations of the incident from a third-party perspective. Witnesses may describe the actions of the pedestrian, the driver, or any other contributing factors leading to the accident. Their testimonies can help paint a clearer picture of the events that occurred and provide valuable insight into determining who may be at fault.
Surveillance Footage
Surveillance footage, if available, can be a powerful piece of evidence in a pedestrian accident lawsuit. It often comes from security cameras installed in nearby buildings, traffic lights, or businesses. This footage can capture the accident as it happened, providing an objective and unfiltered account of the incident. Attorneys can use this visual evidence to analyze the actions of both the pedestrian and the driver, their positions, and any other contributing factors, thereby assisting in determining liability and fault.
Photos from the Scene
Photographs taken at the accident scene can be crucial in documenting the conditions and evidence present at the time of the incident. These photos can capture the position of vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs, and other important elements that might be relevant to the case. By examining the photographs, legal professionals can reconstruct the accident scene and potentially uncover evidence to support their arguments about fault and negligence.
Physical Evidence from the Scene
Physical evidence collected from the accident scene can offer invaluable insight into what transpired during the incident. This evidence may include vehicle parts, debris, tire marks, and any objects or items involved in the accident. By analyzing these physical artifacts, experts can recreate the sequence of events leading up to the collision, helping establish fault and liability.
Personal Recollections
Finally, your personal recollection of your pedestrian accident may be very helpful when proving fault. It is difficult to predict which details surrounding your collision may become important during later stages of your case. Accordingly, you should attempt to record a detailed, personal account of your accident while your memory is fresh.
Damages You Can Recover in a Prattville Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit
There are multiple types of damages that may be compensated through a pedestrian accident lawsuit. During your free case review, the team at our law firm can determine which of the following may be sought:
Medical Expenses
In pedestrian accident lawsuits, plaintiffs may seek compensation for their medical expenses resulting from the injuries sustained during the incident. These expenses encompass all reasonable costs related to medical treatment, including ambulance fees, emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable in accidents involving motor vehicles, often suffering severe injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal organ damage. Recovering medical expenses is essential for ensuring that injured pedestrians can access the necessary healthcare services and cover the financial burden imposed by their injuries.
Lost Wages
Pedestrian accidents can lead to significant time away from work due to injuries and recovery. Lost wages refer to the income a pedestrian accident victim could not earn as a result of being unable to work during the healing process. This includes not only the wages lost during the initial hospitalization and recovery but also any future earnings that may be impacted if the injuries result in long-term or permanent disability. In some cases, victims may need to switch to a lower-paying job or face reduced work hours due to their injuries. Compensation for lost wages seeks to mitigate the financial strain caused by the accident and provide financial stability for the injured individual and their family.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Pain and suffering damages are a form of non-economic compensation that aims to address the physical pain and emotional distress experienced by pedestrian accident victims. Calculating pain and suffering damages is complex, as they are subjective and vary from person to person. Our legal team can utilize various methodologies to determine a fair and reasonable amount of compensation for these intangible losses in your case.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
In addition to medical expenses, there are often other costs that injured pedestrians incur as a direct result of the accident. These out-of-pocket expenses may include expenses for medical equipment, transportation to medical appointments, home modifications to accommodate disabilities, and costs associated with hiring assistance for daily tasks during the recovery period. Out-of-pocket expenses can add up quickly and create significant financial strain, which is why they are recoverable in pedestrian accident lawsuits.
Property Damage
Pedestrian accidents involving motor vehicles can also result in property damage, such as damage to the pedestrian’s personal belongings. Compensation for property damage seeks to cover the repair or replacement costs of the damaged property, ensuring that the pedestrian is not left bearing the financial burden for damages caused by the accident.
Call Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for Assistance with Your Case in Prattville, AL
Get help from our pedestrian accident lawyers at Howe Law by dialing (844) 876-4357.
