Tips for Maximizing Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accidents occur more often than you might think, and if you’re dealing with the aftermath as a victim in a pedestrian accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how you will survive financially. In many cases, the driver will have legal fault for causing the accident. But first it must be determined whether the driver violated his or her duty to exercise reasonable care, a duty that arises when they get behind the wheel. If a driver neglects this duty, they should be held liable. This process can sometimes be difficult, so it is important to take the right steps in order to hold the negligent driver accountable and maximize your compensation.
1. Seek Medical Attention
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, the first step is to seek medical attention. These accidents can often result in serious injuries for the pedestrian, even if shock is preventing you from feeling the full extent. Get medical help right away. Once you’ve sought medical treatment, begin to document your injuries, future prognosis, and treatment. All of your medical records will be very important to your case, and it is important that they reflect the full extent of your injuries. This starts with making sure that you report all of your symptoms to your care providers in a timely manner.
2. Document What You Can
Your medical treatment is your first priority, but if you are able (or have someone who can help you), get all the information you can about the accident. Exchange contact and insurance information with the driver, and make sure you get a police report. Don’t discuss what might have caused the accident or anything regarding fault. Instead, call law enforcement to the scene so the police can do their own investigation. Take pictures of the scene, your injuries, damages to the car, and anything else that may have come into play. Get the names and contact information from anyone who may have witnessed the accident.
3. Don’t Accept a Settlement Too Soon
Only after the driver is determined to be at fault by the police will the insurance company contemplate an offer of settlement. In nearly every case, this initial settlement offer will be inadequate. Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible and will offer a low amount, hoping you’ll accept. Don’t succumb to the pressure from an insurance company who tries to get you to accept a low settlement offer. Once you sign the settlement, you cannot go back and seek any additional damages. Like Eminem said, don’t blow your one shot. Insurance companies will try to scare you into thinking that if you turn down the offer or negotiate that you will forfeit any compensation, but this simply isn’t true.
4. Contact an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Negotiating with an insurance company can be overwhelming and is not easy. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers who are looking out for the best interest of the insurance company – not you as the victim. You are eligible to seek compensation for your damages. This includes medical expenses for past and ongoing care or therapy you may need, lost income, permanent physical impairments, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. Your attorney will be there to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf with the strength of their experience and expertise in this type of law. Your attorney can offer you legal advice, conduct an investigation into the accident, communicate on your behalf with the insurance company, file a lawsuit to seek damages if the negotiations fall through, and handle the details of your case. With the help of an experienced pedestrian accident attorney, you will know that you are getting everything you are entitled to receive.
By following these steps, you can ensure that you will receive compensation for all the damages you suffered from the accident. Your attorney will be there to fight for you and make sure you get what you deserve. If you’ve been seriously injured as a pedestrian in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you are entitled to fair compensation, and we can help you. Contact Arthur Law Firm (419) 782-9881 right away for a free consultation.