The roads in Northeast Arkansas can become congested, especially around rush hour. Busy drivers who aren’t paying attention are more likely to cause pedestrian accidents. Pedestrian accidents often occur when drivers aren’t aware that pedestrians have the right of way when crossing a sidewalk. Since pedestrians do not have any physical protection around them as a motorist does, they are likely to suffer severe injuries if they are struck by moving motor vehicles. In many cases, pedestrian accident victims suffer fatal injuries.
If you have become injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Pedestrian accidents often result in severe and expensive medical conditions. You may be concerned about how you’ll pay your mounting medical bills while needing to take time off of work to recover. Bryce Cook, an experienced personal injury lawyer, is here to help. He uses his negotiation skills and courtroom experience to advocate on behalf of his clients. He has a proven track record of obtaining compensation for his clients who’ve been injured in pedestrian accidents. Contact him today to schedule your free initial consultation.
How Do Pedestrian Accidents Occur in Jonesboro, Arkansas?
Pedestrian accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Typically, liability for pedestrian accidents depends on whether a pedestrian has the right of way. When pedestrians are in a marked crosswalk or other walkway and have the right to pass safely, drivers who collide with them are liable for their injuries. In these cases, pedestrian accidents happen through no fault of the pedestrian himself or herself. Even when a driver isn’t distracted, he or she may turn at an intersection without taking the time to look both ways, resulting in a pedestrian accident.
Many pedestrian accidents occur when a driver is distracted, such as by sending text messages, talking, or simply staring out the window. In other cases, the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and cannot react quickly enough to prevent a pedestrian accident. It only takes seconds for a drunk or distracted driver to collide with an innocent pedestrian.
Defective crosswalk locations can also lead to a pedestrian accident. For example, when there isn’t enough room for pedestrians to safely walk across the street, the injured pedestrian could file a claim with the municipality in charge of the crosswalk. Municipalities should consider the upstream and downstream traffic flows and provide adequate lighting for pedestrians. When they don’t, they could be liable for the injuries caused by the pedestrian accident.
Pedestrian Accident Victims Often Suffer Serious Injuries
Pedestrian accident victims often suffer catastrophic injuries because the human body cannot withstand the force of a collision with a motor vehicle. The impact of being hit with a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds can cause severe injuries, such as:
- Bruises (contusions)
- Deep cuts (lacerations)
- Damage to the spleen, liver, or other internal organs
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Mild head injuries, such as concussions
- Facial or dental injuries
- Eye injuries that can result in a loss of vision
- Spinal cord injuries that can result in complete or partial paralysis
- Orthopedic injuries that cause damage to the musculoskeletal system
The Benefits of Hiring a Jonesboro Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Working with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can increase your chances of obtaining compensation significantly. Proving that a motor vehicle driver’s negligence caused your injuries can be challenging. You need an experienced and trial-ready lawyer on your side to investigate the accident and gather evidence on your behalf. Serious pedestrian accidents have serious legal consequences. A lawyer who understands the Arkansas civil litigation system will help you navigate the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Many victims of pedestrian accidents file an insurance claim through the at-fault driver’s policy. Unfortunately, even though the at-fault driver’s insurance policy must compensate you for your injuries, insurance companies are notorious for low-balling victims. They often try to call victims immediately after the accident and ask them to record a statement.
Insurance companies hope that the victim will unintentionally admit fault so they can deny his or her claim. Attorney Bryce Cook will negotiate assertively with the insurance company on your behalf so you can focus on healing. He will use his extensive experience and knowledge to advocate for you to obtain compensation for all of your financial losses.
Damages Recoverable in a Jonesboro Pedestrian Accident
Various types of damages are available for victims of pedestrian accidents in Arkansas. Plaintiff to succeed in personal injury lawsuits against the negligent defendant who caused the accident can obtain damages. These damages are intended to help personal injury victims recover financially for their losses so they can attempt to get their lives back on track. Successful planets are included in economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are those financial costs that are easily well, such as compensation for your past and future medical bills. You can also recover compensation for past and future lost income. If you needed to install any durable medical equipment in your home due to your injuries, such as a staircase lift, you could include those expenses as economic damages.
Plaintiffs are also entitled to non-economic damages for the pain and suffering they injured due to the pedestrian accident. When the defendant acted egregiously, judges can choose to require additional punitive damages to punish them and set an example for other drivers. Determining the number of damages you’re entitled to is one of the most important aspects of a personal injury lawsuit. You have one critical chance to obtain all of the compensation you will need to pay for your medical expenses in the future.
Contact Our Jonesboro Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, the best thing you can do is reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer. Attorney Bryce Cook provides his clients with the individual time and consideration their cases deserve. He will investigate your case and gather the evidence you need to show that the at-fault driver caused your injuries. He will work hard to help you obtain the most compensation possible for your injuries so you can focus on your recovery. Contact him today to schedule your initial consultation.