Many people walk around town to exercise, save money, or get some fresh air. Most of the time, they are able to do so safely, without any problems. However, sometimes people on foot get hit by careless drivers, which can be dangerous because pedestrians have little protection from an impact. Anyone involved, regardless of how carefully they were walking, could be left with serious injuries.
Thankfully, if you were hit by a distracted, reckless, or negligent driver, you can likely work with a seasoned personal injury representative to hold this defendant financially responsible. An Antigo pedestrian accident lawyer could protect your rights and best interests while you focus on filing your civil claim for monetary damages.
Regardless of how a pedestrian accident occurs, there are many different ways that someone on foot could get hurt. Some of the most common examples of injuries seen in these cases include but are not limited to:
The seriousness of these injuries should never be underestimated. After a sudden accident, an injured pedestrian deserves a dedicated attorney in Antigo to help them compile medical records and get started on the case process.
In most pedestrian accident cases, a jury will award compensatory damages when a plaintiff can demonstrate that the driver was definitely negligent. This financial compensation usually comes in two forms.
Economic damages include repayments for losses with a clear monetary value. For instance, this category could include payments for lost wages at work, hospital bills, physical therapy sessions, or any damage to personal property.
Meanwhile, on-economic compensation refers to reimbursement for losses with a more subjective or ambiguous financial value, such as emotional trauma, intense physical pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Wisconsin Civil Jury instruction 1750.2 establishes that, when considering the value of non-economic damages to award, a jury needs to think about exactly how the accident could impact a pedestrian’s physical and emotional health in the future. They should not forget about the role that disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, or humiliation could have in a plaintiff’s life.
A compassionate lawyer in Antigo understands how important non-economic damages are to a pedestrian accident case and could fight to maximize these more subjective repayments during the claims process.
Since insurance companies are usually the party responsible for paying financial compensation to a plaintiff, they will often work to minimize their liability and reduce the value of a settlement. For instance, an agent or adjuster might contact an injured pedestrian, asking them about the accident with the goal of getting them to admit fault. Additionally, they might reach out to a claimant early with a rather low settlement offer, hoping to resolve the case before the plaintiff has time to assemble a civil claim.
For these reasons, it is important to be wary of insurance companies after being involved in a pedestrian accident. Instead, a plaintiff could reach out to a dedicated attorney in Antigo who could help them negotiate with an agent and maximize their financial compensation.
When a reckless or negligent driver hits an innocent pedestrian, the person on foot is not without options for seeking justice. However, it can be incredibly challenging for them to do this alone, especially if they are in severe pain or struggling to pay their hospital bills. Therefore, anyone injured in a pedestrian accident should remember the importance of working with a skilled attorney.
An Antigo pedestrian accident lawyer could assess their client’s medical records, establish the baseline of deserved compensation, and negotiate with a stubborn insurance company to make sure that the claimant’s rights to repayment stay protected. If you were hurt by a driver and need help getting started on your claim, reach out to our office today.
If you are recovering from an injury, you need to focus on regaining your health. You should not have to negotiate with stubborn insurance companies or compromise with a defendant.
A Wausau personal injury lawyer could lessen the stress and complications associated with collecting compensation, allowing you to recover fully. Call today to learn more about your options.
N/a (715) 623-5900