You may want to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer if you are severely injured and don’t want to handle your own legal matters after your accident. A lawyer can investigate your situation and determine who is at fault for causing your accident. They can also represent your interests during negotiations with the insurance company and by filing a lawsuit for compensation if necessary.
All too often, insurance companies will offer you a quick settlement that is not even close to what your case may be worth. In other cases, the insurance company may deny that its insured party is responsible for the accident or argue that you are more at fault than its insured party.
While you focus on your recovery from the accident, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can focus on protecting your legal rights and properly valuing your potential personal injury case.
Advising You of the Next Steps in Your Case in Louisiana
Many people are uncertain where to turn when they have suffered severe injuries or a loved one has suffered fatal injuries in a pedestrian accident. Getting medical treatment or mourning a loved one is likely your first reaction to an accident. However, you undoubtedly will have questions about your legal rights, too.
A pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm can inform you what steps you should take following an accident that has led to injuries. You can get a clear sense of whether you have a legal case against another party, how you can pursue that case, and the compensation for which you may be eligible.
Most importantly, you can get your questions answered, which may help calm your concerns.
When you experience a pedestrian accident, the professionals generally recommend that you:
Contact the Authorities
If you can contact the police after your pedestrian accident, we recommend taking this step. Reporting your accident provides an official record of what happened, which may help you secure damages later.
Gather Evidence Before You Leave the Scene of the Accident
We understand that you may not always be able to take this step after a pedestrian accident. However, if your injuries allow it, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and the vehicle that struck you.
It’s also a good idea to speak with any witnesses who saw the accident. Get their contact information so your pedestrian accident lawyer can speak with them on your behalf. You can also secure information from the driver who hit you. However, you should not admit fault for the accident.
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Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Louisiana
Determining the cause of a pedestrian accident may help you secure damages to cover your losses. In many cases, drivers cause these accidents because they:
- Fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Do not stop at red lights or stop signs
- Swerve onto the sidewalk
Many pedestrian accidents occur in parking lots, as well. Drivers often back up without looking when leaving their parking space, sometimes running directly into pedestrians trying to reach their vehicles.
Backup accidents are often more dangerous when they involve small children. Drivers without backup cameras may never see a child passing behind their vehicle, leading to severe injuries or even a wrongful death.
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A Lawyer May Help You Prove Fault in Your Pedestrian Accident Case
Holding another driver or other party accountable for your injuries in a pedestrian accident requires proof of how the accident occurred and who caused it. Pedestrian accident cases typically rest on proving negligence or a failure to exercise due care in driving.
Negligence requires proof of four elements:
- The party owed a legal duty of care to others
- The party violated that duty of care
- The violation of the duty of care directly caused you injuries
- You suffered damages or losses as a result of your injuries
A pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm can collect evidence of these elements on your behalf.
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Let a Lawyer Review the Compensation Associated with a Pedestrian Accident
Are you still wondering why you should work with a pedestrian accident attorney? These legal professionals can help you review the compensation you could receive after your accident. Many injured pedestrians receive economic compensation.
Economic compensation covers losses directly associated with your accident. For example, you could receive economic coverage for your:
- Current and future healthcare expenses
- Lost wages during your period of recovery
- Diminished earning capacity
In addition to securing economic damages, a lawyer can provide you with information about your non-economic losses. These losses help you recover compensation for your pain and suffering and mental anguish.
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A Lawyer Can Negotiate with the Insurance Companies
When a pedestrian accident occurs, you likely will hear from an insurance adjuster quickly. This responsible party’s insurance company may try to talk you into accepting an immediate settlement to resolve your case as quickly and cheaply as possible.
A pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm can handle these communications for you. We can determine what a fair settlement might be in your case, considering your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and permanent impairments. Then, we can negotiate with the insurance company for a fair offer or take your case to trial.
Note that speaking with insurance agents without a lawyer on your side may weaken your claim. Insurance agents want to save their companies money, so they may try to blame the accident on you.
Insurance agents may also try to downplay the severity of your injuries. Therefore, you should avoid discussing your recovery or injuries with insurance representatives. They may turn innocent comments regarding your health against you when it’s time to settle your claim.
We understand the strategies insurance agents employ and work to counter them for our clients’ benefit. Working with a lawyer may provide you with extra protection.
Ensuring You Meet All Deadlines in Your Case
All personal injury lawsuits, including those arising from pedestrian accidents, are subject to a statute of limitations. This deadline for filing your lawsuit in court is particularly short in Louisiana compared to other states. Under CC Art. 3492, you generally have only one year from the accident date to file your lawsuit.
One year can pass very quickly, especially when you have suffered catastrophic injuries and may need months to recover fully. In some cases, a full recovery may not be possible. A pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm can help ensure that you meet the statute of limitations and all other relevant deadlines in your case.
Get Advice from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers During This Challenging Time
Knowing what to expect in your case is a significant benefit that a lawyer can offer you. You also can rely on your attorney from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers to handle negotiations with insurance companies and fight to get you fair compensation for your injuries.
Contact our offices today and get more information about why hiring a pedestrian accident attorney from our firm may benefit your case. A member of our team is standing by to provide you with a free case review.
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