East HamptonPedestrian Accident Lawyer

Tehrani Law Group Fights Tirelessly for Accident Victims

A pedestrian accident can disrupt every aspect of your life, and its effects can be even more devastating without experienced legal guidance by your side. Tehrani Law Group walks beside you and fights for you during this difficult time. We put our experience to work for you and dig deep into your case so we can determine the most effective approach and strategies to use in your case. 

Thorough Investigation After an Accident

Our team takes the time to investigate the accident you have experienced, your care requirements, and its effect on your life in the present and future. We make sure every loss is accounted for and help you gather additional evidence of your losses as needed. We are equipped to deal with the nuances of pedestrian accident cases and build a strong case that ensures the driver takes responsibility for hurting you. 

We Are a Client-Focused Law Firm

We are tireless negotiators, so you do not have to worry for a minute about your case and can remain focused on your physical and emotional recovery. We build a relationship with you and always keep you apprised of what is happening in your case. While we try to settle your case in a timely manner, we are ready to represent you in court if we cannot yield satisfactory results through negotiation. 

We Use Contingency Fees to Reduce Your Financial Burden

At Tehrani Law Group, we know that many people may be hesitant to hire a lawyer based on cost, especially when they are facing overwhelming expenses. However, our clients do not pay anything unless we win their case. Like most personal injury firms, we only collect attorney fees from settlements or verdicts when we win a case. This provides clients with maximum accessibility to legal services while reducing their financial stress. 

According to Connecticut’s crash data repository, there were 137 vehicles involved in 131 pedestrian-involved crashes in Connecticut’s Southcentral Region during the most recent year of data. Of those accidents, 125 individuals suffered injuries, and 6 were fatally injured. These numbers illustrate the threat pedestrians face in this region of Connecticut.

Pedestrian accidents like these are caused by several factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), speeding vehicles, alcohol impairment, and high traffic volume contribute to the majority of pedestrian accidents. Larger vehicles can also cause more damage because of their increased mass and force during a collision. 

Motorists can cause pedestrians serious harm during a collision. Not only does a pedestrian absorb the full force of a hit, but they also absorb the impact of the ground afterward. This dual hit can have devastating effects on a pedestrian’s life. To understand the magnitude of these events, IIHS pedestrian accident statistics reveal that these incidents led to 7,314 deaths and 68,000 injuries during the most recent data available. Some of the injuries caused by these collisions include:

• Broken bones
• Lacerations and road rash
• Soft tissue damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck injuries
• Internal bleeding 
• Organ damage
• Catastrophic injuries
• PTSD
• Wrongful death

Given the severe nature of these accidents, pedestrians should receive immediate medical care. Without swift treatment, these injuries could be fatal or cause permanent damage. Physicians are equipped to treat these conditions and can act quickly and improve the overall prognosis. You will also need medical treatment so you can understand the scope of your injuries when you initiate a claim and pursue compensation for your medical expenses. 

Most pedestrian accidents occur at intersections or in parking lots where there is elevated vehicle traffic and pedestrian activity. These conditions are further exacerbated in specific areas where foot traffic is more common. This includes school zones, areas of business, shopping centers, and grocery stores. With more people present, pedestrians are at a greater risk. 

In addition to the types of places that are more prone to pedestrian accidents, there are also certain areas of East Hampton where pedestrians are especially vulnerable. A couple of places in particular include the intersections of Main Street and Summit Street, as well as Main Street and Barton Hill Road. Route 66 also poses dangers for vehicles and pedestrians alike. 

The severity of a pedestrian accident can be impacted by the direction of a turning vehicle. Different factors are at play when a driver is turning left than when they are turning right, and the difference in the physics of the collision can affect the types of injuries that a pedestrian may sustain. As the point of impact changes, it changes the motion, speed, and contact points, which can make a difference if the pedestrian has more contact with the vehicle or the ground.

In terms of direction, left turns are often more dangerous because drivers are distracted by oncoming traffic and quickly turning during an opening in traffic. As a result, they may not notice a pedestrian until it is too late. During a right turn, motorists may fail to see pedestrians, especially if they are in the vehicle’s blind spot. Both drivers and pedestrians must consider these factors and be extra alert and cautious at intersections in areas of high vehicle and foot traffic.

After a pedestrian accident, you will need to get medical care, file a police report, collect evidence, and start a claim. This process allows you to hold drivers liable and recover what you have lost. To do this, you will need to file a claim with the insurance company. This means that you will need to submit photos taken of your injuries and the accident, your medical records and expenses, and other relevant documentation that shows the other party’s actions and your losses. 

Once your claim has been submitted, an insurance adjuster will review everything you have submitted, investigate the accident, and may even try to speak with you. However, it is recommended to have an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in East Hampton, CT speak on your behalf, because insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart. They may try to get you to make a statement or make a seemingly innocent statement that they can use against you. 

It is also important to be aware that they may use other tactics to get out of paying you what you deserve, and the first settlement offer they make will likely be the lowest. Lawyers can review your offers and negotiate so you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company. If the insurance company refuses to cooperate, they can turn to litigation to get you fair compensation. 

As a pedestrian, you have the right to walk around East Hampton, CT with an expectation of safety. When a driver is negligent and hurts you while you are walking, you have the right to file a claim against them so you can recoup the cost of your losses. This will require you to establish the driver’s fault as fact to resolve the case, which your lawyer can handle. They will demonstrate the following 4 aspects of the accident:

• Duty of Care: Motorists are responsible for remaining alert while driving and exercising caution around pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists. 
• Breach of Duty: When a motorist engages in careless or reckless actions, they disregard their obligation to safety. 
• Causation: When careless actions result in an accident and injury, then a motorist is responsible for causing harm. 
• Damages: Negligent motorists are liable for making restitution and paying for the damages they caused. 

Your lawyer will work diligently to satisfy this requirement so your case can be settled in your favor. Your lawyer will discuss the details of your case and what evidence you have ahead of time so they can effectively develop their arguments and show the driver’s negligence. After successfully demonstrating this, your case can transition to recovering compensation.  

Pedestrians May Share Partial Fault for Accidents

Pedestrians can also be partially at fault for accidents, and should consult a lawyer right away if this is the case. While Connecticut General Statutes § 52-572h allows individuals who share fault to recover compensation, it will impact your recovery. The state’s modified comparative negligence law allows individuals to recover proportionately reduced compensation if they are less than 51% at fault, while those above this threshold are prohibited from recovering damages.

A pedestrian accident can leave you with a staggering amount of medical expenses and other financial losses. This is especially true if you are left with permanent injuries that require ongoing care. A settlement is designed to cover your medical expenses, as well as other losses, so you have comprehensive support as you recover and get back on your feet. Some of the losses you may be able to recover based on your situation may include: 

• Medical expenses, rehabilitation, equipment, accommodations, and assistive support
• Loss of earnings or earning capacity
• Property damage
• Funeral and burial expenses, 
• Pain and suffering
• Reduced quality of life due to losses 
• Emotional distress
• PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia
• Disfigurement and disability
• Loss of companionship and consortium
• Punitive damages (reserved for special cases)

The value of your pedestrian accident settlement will largely depend on the severity of your injuries and the extent of your medical needs. This means that all of your losses will need to be catalogued so they can be properly calculated to determine what your case is worth. You should keep all records of your expenses and losses so your lawyer can get an accurate assessment and negotiate a settlement that fairly covers all of your losses.

Consult a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to make sure that you can recover damages in your case. According to Connecticut General Statutes §52-584, the statute of limitations for pedestrian accident claims is only two years from the time of the accident. 

If you do not leave yourself enough time to resolve your case, you may have to pay for your expenses on your own. Filing soon after your accident also ensures that evidence is fresh and strong in your case. 

The Tehrani Law Group is prepared to handle your pedestrian accident claim so you can remain focused on healing from your injuries. We will fight and advocate for you so you can get the maximum amount of compensation for your losses. 
Our team has extensive experience handling these types of cases, and we will help you get the justice you deserve. To discuss your options, the claim process, and how we can fight for you, contact our law firm today. You can also request a free consultation by calling us at (860) 261-6770.