When a pedestrian is injured in an automobile accident, it can be a very scary situation. The human body is certainly no match for a moving vehicle. The amount of damage that can be done in a vehicle-pedestrian collision can be catastrophic.
For those who survive such an accident it is very important to understand your rights. There are several priorities you must maintain when you suffer injuries as a pedestrian in a vehicle accident, but the most pressing and important one is the need to seek medical attention. Because of the gravity of the injuries possible when a pedestrian is hit by a car, it is extremely important that you seek immediate medical treatment from the very outset.
Never delay getting treatment when injured in any sort of accident, let alone a vehicle-pedestrian accident. In fact, follow your physician's instructions to the letter; keep every appointment; and maintain copies of all records and bills associated with your treatment.
Once your treatment is under way, then it becomes important to begin to identify the individual(s) responsible for the accident, and as such, your injuries. Identifying witnesses, notifying the driver's insurer and evaluating the damages in your case becomes the first priority.
It's important that you consult an experienced personal injury attorney to guide this process. If, for instance, you work directly with the at-fault driver's insurer, it is quite possible that you sign a release prematurely. It is always in the at-fault driver's best interest that their insurer settles the case with the accident victim quickly. A quick settlement offer often mitigates the amount of damages the insurer will have to fork over.
Having the experienced personal injury lawyers of Panio Law Offices in Chicago representing you in any accident case affords you the strongest argument possible for damages in your case. We are experienced in the art of negotiation with regard to personal injury claims. And, of course, a personal injury attorney will know best when negotiating with the insurer will not yield adequate results and when it is time to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Also, it is important to understand when you, as a pedestrian, bear some fault in a car accident. Pedestrians, like drivers, are responsible for following the rules of the road (i.e. crossing at crosswalks). When they do not follow those rules and an accident follows, they will be held responsible in any claim for damages. If you do, in fact, bear some responsibility for the accident, it may affect the amount of damages you are entitled to. And, in the state of Illinois, if you bear more than 50% of the responsibility for the accident (as determined by a personal injury court), you will be entitled to none of the damages in your case, per Comparative Negligence laws.
These cases can be very complex and winning the damages you are entitled to can hinge upon the counsel of a skilled personal injury attorney like those of Panio Law Offices.
Call us today at (708) 928-8680 if you are the victim of a car accident and have questions about filing a personal injury claim. We can help.