The financial repercussions of a pedestrian crash may be significant. Medical bills, combined with an inability to work, could threaten your financial security. Fortunately, you may be able to seek compensation from those who are responsible for the collision that caused your injuries.
Any vehicle wreck involving a pedestrian could lead to traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries. In a situation like this, a Lake Charles pedestrian accident lawyer can help. Filing a claim with the assistance of a personal injury lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers could allow you to receive the compensation you need to heal.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accidents are known for producing some of the most debilitating types of injuries. After all, pedestrians do not have any protection surrounding them the way someone traveling in a motor vehicle would.
It is common for pedestrian accident victims to suffer critical injuries that have a lasting impact on their lives. Some of the possible types of injuries suffered in Lake Charles pedestrian accidents include:
- Traumatic brain damage
- Facial injuries
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Road rash
- Broken bones
- Loss of limbs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated discs
- Back injuries
- Paralysis
- Third-degree burns
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Organ failure
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Abrasions
If you suffered another type of injury not listed above, that does not mean you do not have the right to compensation. In fact, if your injuries have had a considerable impact on your life or are expected to for the foreseeable future, an attorney can help you hold the liable party accountable.
For a free legal consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer serving Lake Charles, call (337) 777-7777
How to Know When You Have Grounds for a Claim
If you are confused and wondering what your next steps should be, you are not alone. It is more common than you might think for injury victims to be unsure whether they have grounds for a case and what to do if they believe they do.
First, consider whether someone else is responsible for causing your injuries. Generally, you can assume that someone else is responsible for your injuries when a vehicle strikes you. Whether the driver was engaging in unsafe driving practices, an auto part malfunctioned, or there was a roadway hazard, if someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, they should cover your costs.
You can also evaluate your injuries. If your injuries have had or are expected to have a significant impact on your life, it is important to obtain the compensation you need to get through these difficult times.
Speaking with a representative from our personal injury law firm is free. Your best option will be to go over the details of your case with a legal professional to find out whether you have grounds for an insurance or civil claim.
Lake Charles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
What Leads to Pedestrian Injuries in Lake Charles?
Driver negligence or carelessness is a primary factor in pedestrian accidents that result in injuries or death. Some of the most common behaviors that may cause a pedestrian accident include:
- Driving through crosswalks or failing to obey traffic signals
- Distracted driving, whether due to cell phone usage or another reason
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
When walkers, joggers, or other pedestrians are hurt in an accident, an attorney could help them bring a claim for the costs of their injuries. By evaluating a crash, a Lake Charles pedestrian accident lawyer could help victims understand the likelihood of success in a legal claim.
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Measuring Negligence
Drivers owe a responsibility to pedestrians to drive in a manner that reasonably protects them from harm. Traffic laws are designed to ensure the safety of all community members. When a driver fails to provide this duty of care, they may be liable for any injuries that result.
Identifying potential liability and establishing negligence may help injured pedestrians bring an effective legal claim against a driver. A Lake Charles lawyer could help injured pedestrians by collecting evidence of the following elements:
- A breach of the duty of care, such as a traffic law violation
- The breach of the duty of care by the driver proximately causing the injury
- The pedestrian suffering potentially compensable injuries
In some cases, pedestrians may act in a manner that contributes to partial fault for the accident. Even if injured pedestrians are at fault to some degree, they may seek compensation from other potentially liable parties. This is permissible under the Louisiana comparative negligence statute found in CC Art. 2323.
However, any awarded damages in a legal case will decrease according to the percentage of fault the injured claimant holds for the accident. This means that if an injured person is 30 percent at fault for the collision that led to injuries, the maximum amount of compensation they could recover is 70 percent of the total award.
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The Statute of Limitations for Louisiana Pedestrian Accident Claims
The statute of limitations for pedestrian accident claims in Lake Charles and across the state of Louisiana is one year. Under CC Art. 3492, you will generally only have one year from the accident date to file your claim.
However, this deadline could be extended depending on the date you were diagnosed with injuries related to the accident or in other unique circumstances. If you attempt to file your claim once the statute of limitations has passed, you will no longer have the opportunity to be awarded compensation through the Louisiana civil courts.
Get Help from a Lake Charles Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
Joggers, walkers, and people traveling by foot are particularly vulnerable to the force and weight of motor vehicle accidents. In addition to the risk of physical and emotional injuries, there are often financial consequences of a serious injury. Seeking compensation from those responsible for your injuries with the help of a Lake Charles pedestrian accident lawyer may lighten your financial burden.
Working with a pedestrian crash attorney may help you recover compensation for the medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses you face while you heal. Get in touch with a member of our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today to discuss your pedestrian accident, your injuries, and how you may recover compensation. Call (337) 777-7777 now for a free consultation.
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