Even if you pay attention and carefully follow the law, being a pedestrian around a busy roadway can be extremely dangerous when a driver loses focus or does something reckless. If you were severely injured after being hit by a careless driver, understanding and enforcing your legal right to demand compensation could be essential to preserving your future prospects and overall quality of life.
However, even if it seems obvious who bears fault for your accident, achieving a positive result from this sort of civil claim can be very challenging without a capable personal injury attorney helping you through the legal process. On top of ensuring you can present the strongest claim possible that accounts for all your short-term and long-term losses, a seasoned Killeen pedestrian accident lawyer could also help you avoid complications or navigate any legal roadblocks that might sidetrack your case.
WHAT MIGHT CAUSE A PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT?
There are many kinds of negligent driving that might result in a crash with a pedestrian, including:
- Speeding
- Running a red light
- Making turns without signaling
- Road rage
- Driving under the influence
- Using a cell phone behind the wheel
Essentially, any time that a driver does not treat pedestrians with respect and uphold their duty of care, they might cause a crash. A seasoned Killeen attorney could help prove the cause of a pedestrian accident by collecting evidence, speaking with witnesses, and examining police reports.
ARE DRIVERS ALWAYS AT FAULT FOR PEDESTRIAN CRASHES?
Negligence on the road occurs when a driver or someone else, like a local government authority responsible for maintaining crosswalks and traffic signals, fails to meet the basic duty they have under the law to act in a reasonable and responsible way. For example, a driver who strikes and injures a pedestrian because they were breaking a traffic law, driving in a reckless manner, or not paying attention at exactly the wrong moment can be considered legally negligent and held liable for the pedestrian’s losses.
Could a Pedestrian be Responsible for Their Own Injuries?
As a Killeen pedestrian crash attorney could explain, there are some scenarios where an injured pedestrian can also be responsible for the accident in question. For example, if a walker stepped into the street suddenly or entered a crosswalk without a signal, a court might put some of the blame on them. The percentage of total fault they are assigned would proportionally impact the compensation they collect.
Allegations of comparative negligence can be frustrating for a pedestrian who knows they were walking carefully, so it is important for plaintiffs in this situation to reach out to our
dedicated legal team today.
RECOVERING FOR ALL AVAILABLE DAMAGES
Assuming that a pedestrian is not fully responsible for the accident in question, they can usually demand compensation for all of their injuries, setbacks, and losses. For instance, an injured pedestrian might seek repayment for their hospital bills, physical therapy sessions, and the cost of replacing any damaged personal property.
It is also possible to seek compensation for losses with a more subjective financial value, such as physical pain, psychological trauma, and lost overall enjoyment of life. A pedestrian injury lawyer in Killeen could discuss the best way to seek these repayments during a private consultation.
GET IN TOUCH WITH A KILLEEN PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT ATTORNEY TO LEARN MORE
It goes without saying that people driving or riding inside a vehicle are at less risk of being hurt in an accident than a pedestrian. Despite that, civil courts will not simply assume a motor vehicle driver is legally to blame for a pedestrian accident. To receive civil compensation, an injured plaintiff will still need to prove that the driver who hit them was legally negligent, which can be challenging to accomplish alone.
Fortunately, you can turn to a Killeen pedestrian accident lawyer for guidance after being hit by a negligent driver. Our legal team could answer your questions, help you collect evidence, and explain what to expect from the civil claims process.
Reach out today to schedule your initial consultation.