Traffic accidents involving pedestrians are a common occurrence in the United States. In fact, a pedestrian is killed every 1.6 hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately, victims have the legal right to sue the responsible parties for compensation. However, the legal process must be completed before the injured victim receives money wired to their bank account. For any permanent or serious injury, it is likely necessary to hire a qualified personal injury attorney to guide you through the often complex compensation process.
When deciding whether to file a claim, you must first review the specific aspects of your case. You need to determine which parties you are filing the case against and whether you can handle it on your own. For example, if the injuries suffered are minor, it may be relatively easy for you to seek compensation against the liable party without legal representation. However, when dealing with insurance companies, it is recommended to level the playing field by hiring a Conroe pedestrian accident lawyer.
Consider hiring an attorney to work on your case in any of the following situations:
While some accidents do not need much evaluation to determine liability, there are cases where fault is always contested. Even when it’s clear that the other party is to blame, there is no guarantee that they will admit liability. Additionally, there are cases where you may have contributed to your injuries, making it difficult to entirely blame the other party for the harm suffered. Nonetheless, you can still recover compensation. Having a skilled attorney will help initiate that process, allowing you to sue the appropriate party after the pedestrian accident.
If the accident resulted in severe injuries, leaving you physically incapacitated, it may be challenging for you to focus on the legal proceedings. Moreover, the psychological trauma that follows an accident can be emotionally draining, causing you to lose the objectivity required for your injury case to progress.
Time is always of the essence in any personal injury lawsuit. The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.003 provides a maximum of two years to file your claim. If you spend most of your time focusing on seeking treatment for your injuries, this statute of limitations may lapse. To avoid this, it is advisable to retain a qualified crosswalk injury lawyer as soon as possible.
State laws concerning wrongful death actions are more complicated, especially for the average person to adhere to. The emotional trauma that follows the grieving process is often too overwhelming for any individual to focus on their case. Furthermore, the Texas Statutes Section 71.001 explains the specifics of a wrongful death action, and in court, you will need evidence to secure compensation for the loss of your loved one. Maneuvering through some of these requirements might prove to be a daunting task without the input of an aggressive and compassionate pedestrian accident attorney.
If you are knocked down by a motorist, bicyclist, or any other road user, the steps you take immediately after the accident are critical to protecting your legal rights. The most important thing you should do is seek immediate medical attention. If you feel that something does not feel right, it’s important to get a professional medical evaluation as soon as possible. Some injuries are not felt immediately and may take days to manifest. If you are injured, see a medical professional for a proper injury diagnosis.
Secondly, ensure that you collect as much information as possible. If you are unable to do so, have someone you trust handle this for you. Collecting information such as the contact information of parties involved, eyewitness accounts, time, and location of the accident is very important, especially if you wish to file a personal injury claim for compensation. If you have your cell phone with you, it would also be a good idea to capture the scene, the parties involved, as well as any visible injuries.
Finally, notify your insurance company about the accident if you are insured. Doing so allows them to start the compensation process. An insurance adjuster for the negligent party may request you to fill some forms or answer questions to their satisfaction. Unfortunately, some of these questions are phrased in a way that can be later used to downplay your compensation claims. Additionally, it’s important to know that any information you provide can be used against you in court to deny you the compensation you are legally entitled to. Before proceeding with the negligent party’s insurance company, it’s advisable to contact an attorney experienced in pedestrian injury claims.
Ensure that you retain an experienced Conroe pedestrian accident lawyer. They possess a thorough understanding of the compensation process, as well as the tactics employed by insurance companies to deprive injured victims of their rightful compensation. At our firm, our attorneys are renowned for providing compassionate and assertive legal representation for pedestrian accident victims. Contact us today to learn about your legal rights and how we can assist you in securing the compensation you rightfully deserve.
