When you are a pedestrian and are crossing a street in your city or town, you think little about the possibility of being hit by a vehicle. Unfortunately, these accidents play out every day across the nation. When they do, many pedestrians find themselves seriously injured with potentially life-altering injuries. If you were struck by a vehicle while crossing a street, having legal representation on your side as quickly as possible can make all the difference in helping you gain compensation for your injuries.
Say Little About the Accident
When an accident takes place, you should say as little as possible at the accident scene until you have spoken to an attorney. For example, something as simple as an apology to the vehicle’s driver or police could imply that you admitted fault for the accident, which could severely impact any future litigation you pursue.
Determining who Pays for Your Damages
After being hurt in a pedestrian accident, your attention should immediately turn to ensure your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering will be paid for as fast as possible and to the maximum amounts allowed. To do so, you will need to consult with and hire a personal injury lawyer who has experience in pedestrian accidents. Since such factors as whether your state is a fault or no-fault state can determine which person’s health insurance will pay the bills, rely on the advice of an attorney you can trust.
Insurance Company Issues
Most of the time, insurance companies will try to deny claims or pay out as little as possible to victims. For example, if you did not receive medical treatment at the accident scene but later developed problems, a health insurer will try to claim your injuries were not due to the accident. By hiring an attorney right away, your lawyer can begin the process of negotiating an out-of-court settlement for maximum compensation.
Uninsured Pedestrians
In some cases, pedestrians who are struck by vehicles have no health insurance. If you are among this group and you were injured in a no-fault state, you would be legally responsible for paying your medical bills. However, you could work with your lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover your costs and gain additional compensation for your pain and suffering.
If you were involved in a pedestrian accident, never assume you can handle the situation alone. Instead, talk to a personal injury attorney at once to learn about your legal options and ensure you gain the compensation you need.
This article is from Brooke Chaplan, a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
