Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
A New York pedestrian accident attorney can assist you in recovering damages such as medical bills, lost wages as well as pain and suffering and much more. Both New York City as well as the State have laws to protect pedestrians from motor vehicle accidents.
Even if pedestrians follow the law, they could still be hit by vehicles. A skilled lawyer can uncover undiscovered opportunities to get compensation, for instance, from a government agency for unsafe crosswalks and sidewalks.
Pedestrians are entitled to the right-of-way
Many people believe that pedestrians have the right of way when they are on the streets. However, this isn't the case. While pedestrians do have certain rights, it's crucial that they obey all rules of the road to ensure their safety and avoid accidents.
The risk for pedestrians is being hit by cars or trucks when they suddenly walk off the curb or if they run into traffic not looking in both directions. Fortunately, New York and New Jersey have laws that protect pedestrians.
When a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, they often suffer serious injuries that require a lot of medical care and ongoing care. They are often faced with significant financial and personal difficulties that impact their daily lives. Many pedestrians have to pay huge medical bills when they don't work and earn no income. Additionally, the physical and emotional trauma that results from a pedestrian accident can be life-altering and can have long-term consequences.
In most cases, the driver's negligence was to blame for a crash. This can be due to drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding, and reckless behavior behind the wheel. Even if a pedestrian broke a traffic rule and was unable to obey it, it's the driver responsible for crashing into them.
The right-of-way for pedestrians is determined by state laws, local ordinances and traffic signals or signs. In the majority of states pedestrians are entitled to the right of way if they are in a crosswalk that has an appropriate signal for walking and obeying the other traffic laws. The law is not black-and-white and can be complex. It can also depend on the facts of a case.
Regardless of the circumstances any pedestrian can claim compensation for their injuries from the driver who caused harm. It is crucial to have a knowledgeable New York pedestrian accident lawyer on your side to help know the laws in your area, determine the person responsible for your accident and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Injuries to the Organs of the Internal
When victims are struck by vehicles, their torsos endure many traumas which can result in injuries to internal organs. This kind of injury typically causes severe consequences that drastically affect the victim's daily life including the need for long-term surgeries and the inability to work. The medical expenses can quickly increase and the victims may have to file a lawsuit in order to recover damages from the at-fault parties.
If the person who is injured has an injury to the kidney or spleen, the organ can rupture, causing internal bleeding that's not as readily stopped as external wounds. A ruptured kidney or spleen could be fatal if it is not treated immediately. The internal damage to the victim may also affect other organs.
Another frequent internal organ injury is the spinal cord injury. This is an injury that is serious and can cause permanent paralysis and profoundly alter the life of the victim. In a car crash, it is not uncommon for pedestrians only protected by their skull to suffer injuries to their spine.
People who are hit by cars often suffer injuries to the brain, lungs and liver. Brain injuries can result in serious complications like memory loss and inability to focus. A brain injury that is traumatizing could also lead to a condition known as a coma. Lung injuries, such as pneumothorax (when air from the lungs leaks into the chest cavity) can be fatal if not treated promptly.
The tragic death of a loved one is yet common consequence of pedestrian accidents, especially if the victim suffers from an injury to the spinal cord or a similar catastrophic injury. Victims or their loved ones might need to file a suit against the driver who was at fault and his insurance company in order to seek compensation for funeral costs and other financial expenses.
A pedestrian accident lawyer who is knowledgeable and skilled can help victims pursue legal action against the people accountable for their injuries. Our firm is able to consult experts, such as biomechanical engineers, to prove how the collision took place and resulted in a specific injury. This type of evidence can be vital in stopping fraudulent claims made by the at-fault party.
Broken and swollen Bones
Even with the presence of sidewalks, crosswalks and walking bridges, pedestrians are still able to be injured in traffic accidents. This is due to the fact that despite the laws, regulations and accommodations designed to safeguard pedestrians from motor vehicles, some drivers are just negligent and reckless in their operation of vehicles, trucks, motorcycles and other motor vehicles on New York's streets.
Pedestrians are often injured seriously during these kinds of accidents which include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injury and fractured bones in the hands, feet and legs. These injuries can lead to expensive medical bills as well as lost earnings due to missing work. It is therefore important to work with a skilled NYC pedestrian accident lawyer to assist you in obtaining compensation.
A pedestrian who is hit by a car or vehicle can also sustain soft-tissue injuries. These include bruises, muscle strains and whiplash. These injuries could take months or longer to heal, and can cause chronic pain and discomfort for the victim. An experienced attorney can look over the evidence of the pedestrian's accident, including police reports, medical records and photographs, in order to provide a reliable and fair estimate of the amount of compensation a victim is entitled.
In addition to economic damages pedestrians could also be entitled to compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering (physical and emotional), humiliation, and loss of enjoyment. If, in addition, your personal property was damaged by the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for its repair or replacement costs.
An attorney from Oresky & Associates can guide you through the process of filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit against a driver or other person responsible for your injuries. Our lawyers will fight vigorously to ensure that you receive the entire amount of compensation that you are entitled to, including all current and future medical expenses, rehabilitative costs, lost income and property damage. Our law firm is familiar with all the various sections of New York State and City law that pertain to pedestrians and we will apply this knowledge to the benefit of your case.
Permanent Disfigurement
If a pedestrian gets hit by a vehicle the injuries that result could be devastating. This is especially true when the pedestrian is struck on the head. This kind of injury can cause brain trauma, leading to an injury to the head or a cerebral hemorrhage. The symptoms can include blurred vision or memory loss, as well as headaches. It is important for the patient to visit an emergency physician immediately and document all of their injuries, including any permanent scarring or disfigurement.
If a person is severely damaged or scarred because of an accident their quality of life can be severely diminished and they may have substantial financial losses that can be compensated by civil law. The most obvious and significant financial loss is medical bills for treatment, prescriptions, surgeries and ongoing care required to help manage the effects of permanent scarring or disfigurement.
It can be costly and could include physical therapy, counseling or medical treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic disorder. A person who has been permanently disfigured may also be unable to earn a living and work as they used to. This can lead to substantial loss of wages and the loss of future earnings that can be recovered.
Insurance companies and defendants in court typically contest the claim that a person suffers from permanent disfigurement. Videos and photographs can be helpful in establishing that the injury is indeed permanent. It is also crucial for the plaintiff to keep track of all medical records and to identify the disfigurement as a result of the injury. Expert testimony is beneficial in proving the severity of permanent disfigurement and the impact it has on a person's quality of living and enjoyment of life.
If you've been severely injured in a pedestrian crash, it is important to know your rights and speak with an experienced New York pedestrian accident attorney immediately. The lawyer will examine the facts in your case to determine what damages you may be entitled to. Baton Rouge injury lawsuit will investigate which parties could be held accountable for your injuries. This could include the driver of the vehicle that hit you or a city agency responsible for poorly maintained streets or defective street lights that caused your accident or the company of a delivery driver on duty or ride-share driver who was involved in your crash.