A pedestrian accident with a vehicle is often a traumatizing event that can leave you with painful injuries and other losses. They can require long-term or lifelong medical care and usually require missing time from work while recovering. Pedestrians commonly sustain severe injuries in accidents with motor vehicles.
Therefore, there are safety regulations that motor vehicle operators and pedestrians must adhere to avoid collisions. If a negligent driver fails to follow the local traffic laws and causes you harm, a dedicated personal injury lawyer at Bert McDowell Injury Law can help you take legal action. A Stratford pedestrian accident attorney can investigate the circumstances of the crash, gather the evidence needed to prove defendant fault, and demand a fair compensation package for the full extent of your losses.
Pedestrians are incredibly vulnerable to sustaining severe and life-altering injuries when a vehicle hits them. Some of the typical injuries in Stratford pedestrian accident cases include:
Pedestrians have no protection when a car strikes them, and thus, they commonly sustain injuries leading to permanent disabilities. A knowledgeable Stratford pedestrian accident lawyer can answer questions and discuss potential award amounts after reviewing the circumstances of a specific case.
After the court finds that the defendant driver’s negligence caused the accident, they will usually break the compensation amounts into two categories. Economic damages are the first category and will cover current and future medical care, loss of salary, and future earning potential. The second group is noneconomic damages, and it covers losing the enjoyment of life, companionship, and pain and suffering.
The civil court will consider various factors to decide the appropriate settlement amount. Some elements they review include the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries and the defendant’s liability for the accident. Because pedestrians commonly suffer severe injuries in these types of incidents, the award amount can be significant.
State laws require that all vehicle operators exercise due care to avoid accidents involving pedestrians. Under the Connecticut General Statutes § 14-300d, motorists must use reasonable care to prevent collisions with pedestrians. Drivers must come to a complete stop while pedestrians cross the street, and they must warn them when they are driving into their path and do not have the time to stop.
Individuals who drive unlawfully and place pedestrians in harm’s way will face civil fines of up to $500. According to the Connecticut General Statutes § 14-300c, pedestrians are also legally responsible for exercising reasonable care and avoiding accidents with motorists.
They must use sidewalks when available and cross the street in crosswalks when possible. It is unlawful for pedestrians to step off the curb into the path of an oncoming vehicle. A well-practiced pedestrian accident attorney in Stratford could answer any questions surrounding state safety laws and regulations during an initial consultation.
Severe and fatal traffic-related pedestrian accidents are a significant issue countrywide. Those on foot and drivers of automobiles must exercise extreme caution to avoid such crashes.
If you or a loved one were walking down the street or through a parking lot and were subsequently struck by a careless or reckless driver, you may have the right to seek compensation. Get in touch with a Stratford pedestrian accident attorney at Bert McDowell Injury Law to discuss the details of your case. And, whenever you are ready to take legal action—Bring on Bert!