The majority of pedestrian-related accidents occur when it’s dark outside. Many of these accidents occur at non-intersection areas of the road. This means that the driver may not be considered at fault for the accident. Here are a few of the things that you can expect in your lawsuit if you’re involved in a pedestrian-related accident.
Submission of Documentation
It’s important to gather as much information on the scene as possible. This can help your case if it does proceed to a legal matter. Getting witness names, time of day, and the direction of the accident as well as approximate speeds all work to your benefit if you end up having to go to court. Another thing that you’ll want to look into are pedestrian motor vehicle accident lawyer services. This will help you to prepare for whatever action comes as a result of the accident.
Witness Statements
Witnesses may be asked to provide statements of what they observed both before and after the accident. If you’re the driver, it’s important that you remain on scene until after the police tell you that you can leave. How you handle yourself following the accident can make a big difference when it comes time in the determining of fault for the accident.
Other Circumstances
In some instances, there may be extenuating circumstances that lead to or caused the accident. This could be items like poor road maintenance, obstructed vision, or something else that caused the driver to not be able to visualize the pedestrian. Many of these things may be noted over the course of the investigation.
Determination of Fault
Over the course of the investigation, fault may be assigned to either the driver, the pedestrian, or both. This is referred to as the law of negligence. The determination of fault will impact the next steps because it will essentially wrap up the investigation. Depending on the outcome of the accident, you may proceed to the settlement portion of your lawsuit.
Settlement Figures
The amount of settlement to be considered will depend on the extent of the injuries involved in the accident. Medical bills, lost work time, and property damage will all play a part. Another factor may include pain and suffering. These figures can be substantial.
Get prepared following a pedestrian-related accident. You may want to hire a lawyer in order to protect yourself. Consider these items so that you can be ready for what the lawsuit involves.
About the Author: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her husky Snowball. You can find her on Twitter at @LizzieWeakley and on Facebook at facebook.com/lizzie.weakley.
