Here are 3 questions about pedestrian accidents most commonly asked by our clients. If you or a loved one are injured in a pedestrian accident, it is of vital importance that you retain trusted and skilled legal counsel as soon as possible. When you work with the pedestrian accident attorneys at Accident & Injury Law Group, however, you can be confident that your rights to a fair recovery will be protected.
Will I Have to Go to Court?
Some victims may be hesitant to take legal action because of fear that doing so means they’ll have to go to court. While it’s true that some pedestrian accident personal injury cases make it all the way to trial, the vast majority are settled long before they ever reach a courtroom. That said, there’s no reason to be afraid of going to court if the circumstances demand it. When an insurance company or defense team refuses to take a claim seriously or make a fair settlement offer, taking the case to trial may be beneficial.
One thing’s for certain: Pedestrian accident victims need a qualified attorney who’s committed to resolving the case in the way that’s best for the client—whether that means accepting a settlement or going to court.
It’s not uncommon for accident victims with no previous experience with personal injury litigation process to feel nervous, scared, or intimidated by the idea of going to court. Not to worry: experienced personal injury attorneys work closely with their clients to ensure they’re prepared and know what to expect in the courtroom.
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What If I Was Injured in a Hit and Run?
If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian in a hit and run accident and the driver cannot be located, it’s important that you make an uninsured motorist claim. There are certain requirements that must be met, so you need to make sure the accident is reported, preferably within the first 48 hours if it’s possible to do so. It’s very important that you put your insurance company on notice. In the unfortunate event that you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, there’s probably not much that any lawyer can do for you.
What If I’m Partially at Fault?
While drivers have a duty of care to watch out for pedestrians and to avoid hitting them if at all possible, there are times when the driver will attempt to pass blame on to the pedestrian for a crash. If he presents a strong case, the driver of the car may not be held liable, or may share blame with the pedestrian. We take a look at situations where the pedestrian may be found to be at fault for his or her injuries.
However, even when a pedestrian is breaking a traffic law, a driver is still expected to take reasonable action to avoid hitting him. Depending on the exact circumstances of the situation, the pedestrian could be held partially or fully responsible for the accident.
Contact our experienced Pittsburgh pedestrian accident lawyers to arrange a free consultation.
