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Published at July 28, 2020 by administrator.
Pedestrians involved in accidents with vehicles may not know that a pedestrian accident attorney can help them. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, reports over 6,000 pedestrians are killed in motor vehicle accidents each year.
Pedestrians who are injured by a motor vehicle often suffer traumatic injuries. As a pedestrian, you have no safety gear, no helmets, and no airbags. You are at the mercy of the vehicle that collided with you.
It is essential to have expert help to determine if your case is one that should go to court. After an accident, you may be confused and disoriented. If you were not able to seek help right away, that doesn’t preclude you from hiring an attorney later on.
Your physical and mental safety is of primary concern after an accident. As soon as your health is stabilized, you should seek help in assessing your situation. It may seem like hiring a pedestrian accident attorney right away is too soon, but that is not the case.
Having an attorney from the beginning will help ease your burden as you navigate the medical and legal system after a traumatic injury. Seek help as soon as you possibly can.
If you did not seek help right away, it may not be too late. Oftentimes, pedestrians suffer long-lasting physical, mental and financial stressors due to an accident of this nature. Seek help as soon as possible for your case to see if you qualify for assistance, even if you are only able to ask for help long after the accident occurs.
Every state has different statutes of limitations that would apply to personal injury cases. In the state of Florida, for example, there is a four-year limitation for legal filings in personal injury cases. Your attorney can help assess your case and see if exceptions may be possible if you have reached the time limit for filing a case.
The job of a pedestrian accident attorney is to work as your partner to help you. These specialized attorneys work to recover financial compensation for you after an accident. The funds are often used to pay back medical bills, get specialized treatments, make up for wages that have been lost, and compensate for pain and suffering.
When seeking an attorney to assist you, it is important to find someone who is open and honest about the process. You want an attorney you can feel comfortable asking questions as well as someone who can anticipate your concerns and address them ahead of time.
Some important tasks your attorney will take on include:
It is important to take your time when hiring a pedestrian accident attorney. You want an attorney that is compassionate and understands all that you have been through. You also want someone who will work diligently to help you prove your case and get you the financial settlement you deserve.
The length of your case will depend on a wide variety of factors, but there are some general steps that all pedestrian accident cases will have to go through. Some cases will be settled rather quickly while other cases may be drawn out for years as both parties fight and try to make their case.
Step 1 – Consultation with an attorney – This is the initial visit you have with your attorney to discuss the case and where you decide who you would like to hire.
Step 2 – Investigation of your case – Once hired, your attorney will start investigating the details of the case to work with you and determine what your demands should be.
Step 3 – Demands – Your attorney will submit your demands to the other party, their insurance, and their lawyer. This stage can sometimes result in negotiation and settlement without going to court.
Step 4 – Filing a pedestrian accident case – The first stage of a court case if negotiations are not possible.
Step 5 – Discovery phase – Both parties have the legal obligation to share all information they have on the case. During the phase, additional investigations may also take place.
Step 6 – Mediation – The last step before court. Both parties participate in a good faith effort to make accommodations and find a reasonable settlement before continuing onto court.
Step 7 – Trial – If mediation is unsuccessful, the case will be presented in a court of law.
Step 8 – Appeal – After the verdict, either party has the ability to appeal the ruling in the case.
It isn’t enough to believe the driver is at fault or negligent. The law is very specific about liability and evidence in these cases. Hiring an attorney can help you get the damages you deserve.
Shane Stafford Law is here to help you navigate during the scary times after a pedestrian accident. Our pedestrian accident attorneys can help you get payment for your injuries and non-physical losses as well, including:
Your attorney will be there to listen and help make sense of your complex case. Contact the Stafford Firm for a free consultation today! We can walk you through the process of a pedestrian accident legal case. We are open Monday – Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. You can reach us by calling (561) 540-4533 or visiting us at 2290 10th Avenue North, Suite 302, Lake Worth, Florida 33461
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