Homewood Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Over a Decade of Award-Winning Representation for Victims

When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, odds are the injuries will be serious. It goes without saying that the human body is no match for a two-ton automotive vehicle, let alone one moving at moderate to high rates of speed. Since 2005, the pedestrian accident lawyer at Panio Law Offices has successfully helped clients fight for the compensation they need for recovery. Let our firm help you hold irresponsible people accountable for their errors.

What to Do Following an Accident

When a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, it is important to know one's options and the steps to take to preserve one's rights to compensation.

If you were involved in an accident, you should:

• Get out of danger and secure appropriate medical treatment for your injuries – Getting immediate medical treatment (or getting assistance from others at the scene) is not only essential to your survival but also protecting your legal rights. The fact is that insurance adjusters and their attorneys often presume that individuals who delay seeking medical treatment following an accident have not been seriously injured. It's vital to both your health and your legal rights that you seek immediate medical care following an accident, even if it is inconvenient to do so at the time.
• Document the facts in your case – This includes identifying any witnesses who can attest to what happened at the time of your accident as much as is possible. Taking photos, after the accident (or having someone do so) will often aid any resulting personal injury claim immensely.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Pedestrian Accident?

In many pedestrian accident cases, liability falls on the driver who struck the pedestrian. However, determining fault isn't always straightforward. Liability can depend on various factors, including the actions of the pedestrian, driver, and even third parties. For example, a driver may be liable if they were speeding, distracted, or failed to yield at a crosswalk. But there are instances where multiple parties share responsibility.

In some cases, a municipality could be liable if poor road design, missing signage, or malfunctioning traffic signals contributed to the accident. Similarly, if a commercial driver causes the accident while on the job, the company they work for could also share in the liability.

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?

Victims of pedestrian accidents often suffer serious, sometimes life-changing injuries. Fortunately laws allow injured pedestrians to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and any future medical needs resulting from the injury. Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for more personal losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In particularly egregious cases involving reckless or intentional conduct, punitive damages may also be awarded. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.

Should I Talk to the Driver’s Insurance Company?

After an accident, you may receive a phone call from the driver’s insurance company. While it may seem harmless, it’s usually not in your best interest to speak with them directly. Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s bottom line. They may try to get you to say something that can be used to reduce or deny your claim, or they might offer a quick settlement that falls far short of what your case is truly worth.

We strongly advise that you do not provide any recorded statements or sign anything without first consulting an attorney. At our firm, we handle all communication with the insurance companies on our clients’ behalf. This ensures that your rights are protected, and that any settlement offer reflects the full extent of your injuries and losses.