East HartfordPedestrian Accident Lawyer

You may walk around East Hartford without a care in the world. Most pedestrians do not expect to get hurt when they travel around the city. However, accidents involving pedestrians happen every day. If you suffer an injury in a pedestrian accident, you may be eligible for damages from an at-fault party. With help from a Glastonbury personal injury lawyer, you may be able to seek the most compensation possible as part of an injury claim. 

Tehrani Law Group makes it easy to connect with experienced pedestrian accident lawyers in East Hartford. Our pedestrian injury attorneys can review your case and help you figure out if now is the right time to submit a claim. To learn more, reach out to us. 

Pedestrian Accident Definition

A pedestrian refers to anyone who travels by foot. They may be walking or running on a sidewalk or close to the side of a road. 

In a pedestrian accident, a person on foot may be struck by a vehicle. For example, a motorist may get into a car accident in which they injure a pedestrian. Or, a motorcycle rider may crash their vehicle into a pedestrian, which may lead to an injury.

Along with these situations, pedestrian accident attorneys may help people injured on another person’s property. If a property owner does not take care of their premises, a visitor may get hurt. In this situation, the visitor may be eligible to seek compensation through a premises liability claim. 

If you are interested in filing an injury claim, a pedestrian accident attorney may be able to help you out. Your lawyer may look at what happened during your accident and how this incident is impacting you. If you have a valid case, they may help you file your claim in accordance with Connecticut’s statute of limitations.

You may have up to two years from the date you suffer a pedestrian injury to seek damages from any at-fault parties, per the statute of limitations of Connecticut. This period may not be extended. If you do not file your claim within two years of when your injury occurred, you may be solely responsible for any costs associated with it. 

It may be beneficial to consult with a pedestrian injury attorney within days of your accident. Your lawyer may help you calculate your losses. They may work with you to identify any at-fault parties and file your claim accordingly.

The at-fault party in your accident case may be a negligent driver, motorcyclist, or property owner. There are scenarios where a government entity may be liable. To prove a party is at fault for your accident, you must show they were negligent. This involves verifying these elements of negligence were present at the time of your accident:

• Duty of Care: An at-fault party was legally obligated to avoid reckless and careless acts. 
• Breach of Duty of Care: The party violated their legal obligation by acting recklessly and carelessly. 
• Causation: Since the party acted a certain way, you were involved in an accident. 
• Damages: You face economic or non-economic losses due to the party’s actions. 

To achieve the best-case results, you may need a wealth of evidence. Your pedestrian injury lawyer may help you gather accident scene photos and videos, medical records, pay stubs, and other forms of proof. Each piece of evidence may enhance your argument. If you have a comprehensive body of evidence, a judge or jury may award you 100% of the damages you request. 

Comparative Fault in a Pedestrian Accident Case

Connecticut has a statute in place relating to comparative responsibility. You may have done nothing to cause your pedestrian accident. Regardless, the defendant in your case may try to prove otherwise. If they succeed, they may be able to show you shared the blame for the incident. This may allow the defendant to pay less compensation than what you initially requested or avoid having to give you any damages. 

With comparative responsibility, your percentage of fault may dictate the damages you are awarded. If a judge or jury rules the defendant is completely liable, you may receive full damages. Yet, if you are found to be 1-50% at fault, the damages you receive may be reduced by your percentage of blame. If a judge or jury says you are more than 50% responsible, you may not receive any compensation. 

As an example, a judge or jury may rule you are 30% at fault for your pedestrian injury. If this happens, you may get 70% of the damages you originally requested. Now, consider what may happen if you are found to be 51% responsible for your pedestrian injury. In this scenario, you may not get any damages. 

Pedestrian injury lawyers consider how each party may argue their respective case. Your attorney may help you craft an argument that resonates with a judge or jury. Doing so may help get the damages you want. 

At the same time, a pedestrian accident lawyer may account for how the defendant may cite comparative responsibility in their case against you. This may allow your attorney to contest the defendant’s claims and boost your chances of getting full damages.

Following a pedestrian accident, it may be best to try to stay calm, cool, and collected. You may not be able to change the fact that the incident happened. On the other hand, if you respond the right way, you may protect yourself from any further harm. Here are things you can do in the moments after your accident to remain safe and start building your case against an at-fault party:

Call the Police

Dial 911, which will prompt medical personnel and police officers to go to the accident scene. Meet with medical professionals since they may treat any injuries you have incurred. Also, discuss the incident with police officers. Then, these officers can use the information you provide as part of their police report, which you can request at a later time. 

Collect Evidence

Use your smartphone to take photos and videos at the accident scene. You may capture photos and videos of your injuries and other aspects of your accident. This may be the only opportunity you have to gather this evidence. Make the most of the opportunity and snap as many photos and videos as you can. This may help you collect enough evidence to show an at-fault party was negligent. 

Get the At-Fault Party’s Information

In an accident involving a motorist, ask this individual for their contact, driver’s license, and auto insurance information. If your accident involves a property owner, get this individual’s contact and insurance information. An at-fault party’s insurer may pay your damages.

Contact an Attorney

Connect with a lawyer who understands pedestrian accident cases. There is a lot to consider when you find an attorney. To determine if a lawyer will meet your expectations, discuss your case with them. The attorney may ask questions so they can learn about your accident. You may share any legal questions you have, which may help you decide if a lawyer is capable of providing you with quality legal representation. 

You may believe your pedestrian injury claim may be resolved quickly. It may take weeks or months before you receive any compensation. No matter what happens, your attorney may advocate for you and help you prove liability. They may also be able to negotiate a settlement with an at-fault party or their insurer. 

Pedestrian Accident Case Settlement

If you suffer a brain injury or any other harm in a pedestrian accident, it may be helpful to work with an attorney. This may boost your chances of getting a settlement before you have to bring your case to court. 

With a settlement, you may get a portion of the damages you asked for in the first place. Conversely, you may receive money faster than you would if you go to trial. 

An insurance company may offer a settlement on behalf of their client within days of your pedestrian accident. You may be tempted to approve the proposal because it instantly gives you money you can use for your injury costs and other accident-related expenses. Even if it seems like a good idea to pounce on this offer, it may be best to go over it with a lawyer. 

Your attorney may provide honest and unbiased feedback and insights relating to a settlement offer. If your lawyer believes a settlement proposal is insufficient, they will tell you. At this point, you have the option to approve, reject, or counter the offer. 

If you are not fully satisfied with a settlement proposal, you are not legally required to approve it. Your attorney can notify the defendant or their insurer if you reject a proposal. From here, you and your lawyer may remain open to settlement proposals. If you do not get one that provides you with adequate compensation, you may have to go to trial to get damages.

After a pedestrian collision or any other type of accident, you may get medical help. Your doctor may ask you to continue to receive long-term treatment to address your injuries. In spite of what your doctor says, you may choose to forgo medical care. This may help you avoid short-term medical bills. In the long run, it may hurt you and affect your ability to secure damages. 

When you avoid medical care, you may put your health in danger. If a doctor recommends medical treatments and you choose not to get them, you may not be able to completely recover from your pedestrian injury. In some cases, your injury may get worse. It may reach a point where your injury prevents you from enjoying your life to the fullest extent. 

If you pursue damages but forgo medical care, the defendant in your case may try to use this to their advantage. They may claim your injury is not as serious as you claim. If a judge or jury agrees with the defendant, you may not get any compensation.

Ultimately, you may want to continue with any treatments your doctor recommends. The costs of these treatments may be steep, but the party responsible for your pedestrian accident may be accountable for them. By keeping track of your medical care and bills, you may be able to get compensation from the at-fault party. 

In addition, you may want to be careful about what you share about your accident on social media. By publishing photos and videos on social networks, the defendant, in your case, may be able to access them. They may try to use your social media content as evidence to dispute your claim. 

You may get a call from an at-fault party’s insurance company in which someone asks you to speak about your pedestrian accident. This call may come just a short time after your incident. As soon as you get this call, you may want to notify your lawyer. 

Although a call from an at-fault party’s insurance company may seem harmless, the business may have an ulterior motive. An insurer is likely focused on protecting the best interests of its clients — not yours. Thus, the company may pressure you to speak about your pedestrian accident on the record. It may ask you questions that may confuse you and lead you to accept responsibility for your accident. 

When you hire a lawyer, you do not have to worry about discussing your case with an insurance company or any other party. Your attorney may handle all case communications for you. They may keep you up to date on the status of your case. Your lawyer may remain accessible to address your legal concerns and questions.

You may feel helpless after you suffer an injury in a pedestrian accident, but you have legal options. When you partner with a top-notch pedestrian accident attorney in East Hartford, you may be able to seek damages from anyone who caused your injury. 

At Tehrani Law Group, we understand the challenges that come with submitting a personal injury claim. Our lawyer offers zealous, personalized legal representation, helping you achieve the best-possible case results. To schedule a free case consultation, contact us today.