I was hit by a vehicle, should I call a lawyer?
Walking is supposed to be one of the safest forms of transportation, yet in the state of Utah, pedestrian-vehicle accidents are common. Many of these accidents have lifelong consequences.
Utah State Law makes it very clear that all motor vehicles must give priority to pedestrians, so please be aware. If you have been hit by a vehicle, you need to know how you should react legally to cover your medical expenses and seek justice for negligence, so you should hire pedestrian accident lawyers.
What should I do if I was hit by a vehicle while walking?
When you suffer an accident the after-effects of the injuries begin to affect your body almost immediately, your mind only thinks about surviving and surely you do not know how to react to such an alarming situation. Always keep in mind these steps to avoid panic.
- Do not move, moving can worsen injuries.
- Call 911 for immediate medical attention.
- Go to the nearest hospital for better care and diagnosis.
- Try to gather as much information about the event as possible such as witnesses, license plates, name, time, and place. Ask for help if necessary.
- Take pictures of the accident, the place, and your injuries. If you can, also take pictures of the offender’s vehicle.
- Do not assume any responsibility until you talk to your lawyer.
- The only talk about what happened; do not make assumptions when the officers question you.
- Do not speak to any insurance representative until your attorney is present.
- Seek competent legal assistance from a pedestrian injury attorney.
If you are unable to do any of these activities because of your injuries, seek help and have them do the steps for you.
What can I claim if I file a pedestrian injury claim?
The evaluation of the claims you can make due to the injury is done by Pedestrian Accident Lawyers along with doctors and specialists who can testify on your behalf.
But keep in mind that the civil legal system dictates that you are entitled to monetary compensation for past and future injuries and damages, as long as they are related to the accident. The categories of damages for a claim are generally as follows:
– Costs of treatment and medical care
– Loss of earnings or earning capacity
– Financial support
– Property damage (phone, computer, or anything you were carrying)
– Out-of-pocket expenses (medication, insurance payments)
– Education so you can return to work
– Pain and suffering
– Emotional stress
– Loss of enjoyment of life
– Wrongful death
– Loss of consortium
– Any other non-monetary loss suffered as a result of the injury.
Can I be liable for a pedestrian accident as the injured party?
The direct answer is yes. Currently, pedestrians have a greater responsibility to obey the rules of the road, so they can be held liable for a traffic accident. You may be liable if you were talking on the phone or crossed a street without a traffic signal.
Depending on the case, if you are partially at fault, you may still be entitled to compensation. However, if you are more than half and completely at fault in the accident, you are unlikely to receive compensation.
Because of this, you mustn’t make any statements or assumptions before your pedestrian accident attorneys arrive and can strategize if you are responsible for the accident, and therefore your injuries.
Who is responsible for my injuries after the accident?
In the state of Utah, anyone who is a party to the accident can be financially responsible, so you can seek compensation from a negligent party.
These are the possible responsible parties:
– Driver of a passenger vehicle or public transportation.
– Traffic company
– Employee of a negligent third party
– Moped or scooter driver
– Motorcyclist
– Other pedestrians
– Manufacturer of a defective vehicle or product
Why should you call a Utah injury lawyer if you are involved in a pedestrian accident?
If you were involved in an accident that resulted in the injury you are entitled to compensation, but more than that you are entitled to fair treatment and for the responsible party to pay for their negligence.
A pedestrian injury lawyer can give you all the advice and create a strategy that will give you fair compensation for your case. Most importantly, a pedestrian injury lawyer knows how to deal with insurance companies and get you a fair deal.
A pedestrian injury lawyer can help you:
– Confront the insurance companies and avoid less compensation than you deserve.
– Conduct a detailed investigation to find out how it happened and who is responsible.
– Seek compensation from all responsible parties
– Protect yourself in case you are blamed for the accident and your injuries
– Help you determine the cost of your case.
You must keep your attorney informed of every detail related to the accident, as the picture may change if you have any liability for the accident. He or she should advise you accordingly.
How long do I have to make an injury claim?
We know that after being injured in an accident it is very difficult to do everything necessary to file a claim that is why many family members or responsible parties take care of the first steps.
We recommend is that you try to make the claim as soon as possible, although you have a time limit of 3 years since the more time passes the more difficult it will be to prove the injuries.
Utah Pedestrian Injury Lawyer
If you don’t have or know a Utah pedestrian injury lawyer, don’t worry, we will take care of getting you in touch with the best lawyer for your case.
We put you in touch with attorneys who are experienced in cases like yours, are close to where you live, and have a budget you can afford.