Even if you are the most cautious person in the world, when you’re a pedestrian, you can still easily become the victim of an accident. In a big city, drivers can become distracted, go too fast or simply be in such a hurry that crosswalk accidents become commonplace. In fact, statistics show that about two-thirds of all pedestrian accidents take place at intersections, meaning that walkers should maintain an even greater defensive posture in these areas. There are also many other walking hazards that a person must overcome. Some of these might include slippery sidewalks and streets, poor lighting in common areas, trails or parks, unsafe areas in construction zones, and tripping hazards on sidewalks and stairwells, and due to debris that can often pile up where the public must walk.
Although you can’t always protect yourself when you are a pedestrian, you can be compensated if you become a victim of an accident while you are walking. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer will be able to assist you in seeking reimbursement for medical bills, a loss of income, and pain and suffering. To do so, your attorney must be able to prove that a property owner or a driver was negligent, and because of their actions, you ended up suffering your injuries as a result. Many times, a lawyer will retain financial experts to ensure that the best possible settlement will be reached, ensuring the financial safety of someone involved in the accident.
If your accident took place on private property, then your attorney may be able to leverage your case under the guidance of premises liability laws as well. This will probably strengthen your claim and make it easier to collect damages, depending on the circumstances of your case.
No matter what the situation, drivers, property owners, bikers, joggers, motorcycle riders and anyone else who shares an open space with members of the walking public have a responsibility to maintain a certain level of safety when they are out and about or face the consequences of their negligent actions.
If you’ve been a victim of a pedestrian accident, it’s imperative your rights and your claim are protected, by hiring an attorney as soon as possible. This will minimize the possibility of making a mistake when talking to officials and opposition attorneys, jeopardizing your ability to secure maximum compensation.