How Long do Pedestrian Accident Settlements Take?
It’s difficult to predict how long it will take to settle a pedestrian accident. Every case involves different circumstances, and even those that seem straightforward can develop challenges. Therefore, the time frame for each case is unique, though the process will be similar.
When you hire our team to take over your case, we will update you as the claim progresses. Each development should provide a clearer timeline for your potential financial recovery.
What Factors Determine the Time Frame for Your Case?
The following variables could affect the time frame for your pedestrian accident settlement.
The Complexity of Your Case
The complexity of your personal injury case will depend on:
- The circumstances of the accident
- How many parties are involved in your case
- Whether all parties agree about the facts of your accident
- How long it takes to gather evidence
- The nature of your losses
As your legal representatives, we will work diligently to resolve even the most complex case.
Your Physical Recovery
It’s often crucial for accident victims to reach maximum medical improvement before beginning settlement negotiations. It may take time to receive the treatment you need and heal as much as possible, but waiting for this will provide a clear picture of your medical damages.
If you jump into negotiations before understanding the scope of your recovery, you may miss out on some recoverable damages. For example, your injuries could require more treatment than you expected, or you may experience lasting impairments that require ongoing care. Our team can review your records and discuss your recovery with medical professionals to properly account for your medical expenses.
Whether Settlement Negotiations are Successful
The time frame for your case will also depend on whether we can obtain a settlement or need to go to trial. Settlements generally offer a quicker resolution than a trial. As the American Bar Association (ABA) explains, this is one reason that settlements are more common than trials.
There may be several other factors that affect the timeline for your case. Some of them may be out of your control. However, it does not matter how long your pedestrian accident settlement takes—our firm will seek a positive outcome.
What is the Goal of a Pedestrian Accident Case?
Our goal for your case is to obtain enough compensation to cover your losses. Therefore, our target settlement amount will depend on the physical, mental, and financial impacts of the accident. The following damages may entitle you to compensation.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering is a category of non-economic damages. Though damages in this category do not have an obvious cost, we can assign them a monetary value. These losses may include:
- Psychological and emotional trauma
- Specific psychological conditions
- Loss of quality of life
- Interruptions in your sleep
- Physical pain
Pain and suffering may be a significant portion of your financial awards.
Diminished Earning Power
Based on your injuries, you may earn less income after your accident if:
- You cannot work at all.
- You have to limit your hours.
- You have to change jobs to accommodate your injuries.
Diminished earning power reduces your future income. We will seek coverage for that lost income through a settlement.
Other Professional Costs
In addition to diminished earning power, you may receive coverage for:
- Income you have already lost while recovering
- Lost productivity
- Loss of future professional opportunities
We will account for all professional losses from your pedestrian accident.
Medical Expenses
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains the often-serious health consequences of pedestrian accidents. Your injuries may require:
- Emergency surgery
- Ambulance transport
- Non-emergency surgery
- Hospitalization
- Various imaging services
- Medication
- Medical equipment
- Follow-up care
- Rehabilitation
A settlement could cover these and any other medical costs from your accident.
Who Should Cover Your Losses?
The party(s) who caused your accident may be responsible for your losses if there is evidence of their negligence. Those who are negligent are generally liable in civil cases.
We may prove the negligence of an at-fault driver by:
- Establishing that they owed you a duty of care
- Proving that they breached their duty of care
- Showing that their breach caused the accident
- Linking the accident and your losses
We may also be able to name other parties as defendants in your case, such as an employer of the person who caused your accident.
How Our Team Will Assist You
Our team can lead your pedestrian accident claim or lawsuit. When you hire us, we will handle all legal aspects of your case, including:
- Calculating your losses
- Drafting your claim and all other paperwork
- Contacting liable parties and their representatives
- Initiating settlement negotiations
- Filing a lawsuit, if negotiations fall through
- Dealing with insurance companies and other lawyers
- Providing legal advice and specific instruction
- Advising you against taking any actions that could harm you
We have one goal in mind: securing fair compensation for you. Our team will deal with all case-related responsibilities so that you can focus completely on your recovery.
Hiring our firm costs you nothing out-of-pocket. Our lawyers work on contingency, which means they get paid only if they win for you.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. We will pursue a settlement or judgment for you based on the damages you have suffered from a pedestrian accident. We offer free consultations with no obligations.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 to speak with our team. We will answer your questions and review your case. Do not wait to call, as Louisiana’s statutes of limitations restrict how long you have to file a lawsuit.
