An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer will be an important partner as you pursue recovery for your injuries after a pedestrian accident. A lawyer will evaluate your case, collect evidence, build a case against the responsible party, communicate with the defendant and their insurance provider, prepare a damages assessment, review settlement offers, and prepare and file all court documents.
Contact a lawyer as soon as possible after an injury.
More than 600 pedestrians were killed in car accidents in Colorado between 2009 and 2018. Most pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas, like Denver, where more people walk to work or to run errands. Injuries in pedestrian accidents can be catastrophic and life-altering. A Denver pedestrian accident lawyer can help you recover damages for medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident, the steps you take immediately after the accident are essential and can affect your personal injury claim.
Here are the most critical steps to take:
First and foremost, do your best to remain calm and avoid confrontation with the driver. Next, check yourself for any injuries that may prevent you from moving. If you’re badly hurt, don’t move and wait for help.
Otherwise, make sure that you’re in a safe place away from moving traffic before moving on to the next step.
If someone hasn’t done so already, call 911. Regardless of whether there are any injuries, the accident must be reported to the police. Make sure that you get a copy of the police report.
Emergency services should also arrive at the scene to make sure that no one is injured. Even if you don’t think you’re injured or that you have minor injuries, get yourself checked out.
Some injuries don’t always show immediate symptoms. For example, it may take hours or even days for signs of internal bleeding to present themselves.
If you delay getting medical attention, that can also hurt your claim if you decide to pursue legal action. The insurance company may try to argue that your injuries aren’t related to the accident because you waited so long to see a doctor.
Make sure that you get documentation of any medical care you receive. That documentation will be important if you plan to file a claim.
If you aren’t severely injured, get the contact information of the driver and any witnesses that saw the accident.
Witness testimony can help your case and can make all the difference in whether or not your claim is successful.
Before leaving the scene, gather evidence if you can. Take photos of the scene, damage, and injuries. Write down any details that you can remember in the moments before, during, and after the accident.
If you were injured in the accident or suffered damages, call a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, damages, and pain and suffering.
Pedestrians can suffer a number of injuries in an accident. Depending on the circumstances, these injuries can be catastrophic.
Some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries include:
It’s common for pedestrians to suffer broken bones in an accident, especially if the hood or bumper comes in contact with the legs or hips on impact. Depending on the circumstances, pedestrians can also suffer broken hands, arms, ribs, facial bones, or feet.
Broken bones often require several months of recovery and physical therapy. As a result, you may not be able to work for several weeks, and the cost of care can be exorbitant.
The force of impact from a motor vehicle can throw a pedestrian up into the air and cause them to land on their back, injuring the spine in the process.
Spinal cord injuries can be very severe and have lifelong effects, including permanent disability, paralysis, or even death.
Pedestrian accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries that have long-term effects on your quality of life. The impact of the head hitting the pavement, the vehicle or another object can cause the brain to move within the skull. This jostling can injure the brain, causing concussions or catastrophic brain injuries.
Some victims suffer:
Brain injuries can take months or years to recover from. Some victims never recover.
Many pedestrians suffer facial injuries, such as:
Facial injuries can cause permanent disfigurement, which can lead to emotional trauma and suffering.
When it comes to pedestrian accidents, drivers are often presumed to be at fault. In Colorado, liability can be shared by the pedestrian and the driver if both are found to be at fault.
If a pedestrian is found to be at least 50% responsible for the accident, they may not able to recover compensation.
Chaput Law is a top-rated Colorado law firm that focuses on personal injury and criminal defense. We represent clients in Denver, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and all surrounding cities in Arapahoe and Douglas Counties.
If you are looking for a Denver Pedestrian Accident Lawyer that will help you get the compensation you deserve, look no further.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Don’t make the mistake of settling for a low offer just because you want to get this behind you. You need to fight for your financial well-being and we can help.
All Consultations Are Free of Charge