Pedestrians have little protection when a collision occurs. If you were the victim of a pedestrian accident, a Georgetown personal injury lawyer can help you obtain compensation.
The Texas Law Dog has been representing Texans since 2018. If you or someone you love was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Georgetown can help you pursue a fair settlement.
The Role of a Georgetown Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
After a pedestrian accident, determining what happened and who should be held responsible can be challenging.
A Georgetown pedestrian accident lawyer can help by:
- Collecting evidence: A lawyer can gather police reports, photographs, video footage, witness statements, vehicle information, and other evidence to establish who is at fault for the crash.
- Calculating your losses: An attorney can evaluate your economic and non-economic damages and help you put together a comprehensive claim.
- Handling insurance companies: A lawyer can communicate with insurers and work to negotiate a fair settlement.
- Taking your case to court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, an attorney can prepare your case for litigation.
What Types of Compensation Can You Seek?
A successful personal injury claim may allow you to recover compensation for a variety of losses, including:
- Medical expenses: You can seek compensation for emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and other reasonable medical expenses related to your injuries.
- Lost wages: You can recover compensation for wages you lost while recovering from your injuries. If your injuries affect your ability to work in the future, you may also pursue damages for diminished earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: You may be entitled to compensation for physical pain, discomfort, and the difficulties associated with recovering from your injuries.
- Emotional distress: A pedestrian accident can be traumatic. Compensation may be available for emotional suffering and other psychological effects associated with the accident.
- Disability or impairment: If your injuries permanently affect your ability to perform everyday activities or participate in activities you enjoyed before the crash, you may receive additional compensation.
- Punitive damages: If the other party’s behavior was particularly egregious, you may be awarded punitive damages.
Georgetown Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
What is the Time Limit for Pedestrian Accident Claims in Texas?
Per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you typically have two years from the date of a pedestrian accident to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
However, an exception may apply if your case involves delayed injuries, government-owned vehicles, wrongful death, or a defendant who leaves the state. In such cases, you may have as little as six months to take action.
If you don’t file your claim before the applicable deadline, you will forfeit the right to pursue damages. A pedestrian accident attorney in Georgetown can help make sure that doesn’t happen.
Who is At Fault for a Pedestrian Accident?
Liability for a pedestrian accident is not always limited to the driver. Depending on how the accident occurred, other parties may potentially share responsibility, including:
- The driver: A driver may be liable for speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians under Texas law, running a traffic signal, driving while impaired, or otherwise violating traffic rules.
- The driver’s employer: If the driver was performing work-related duties when the accident occurred, their employer may potentially be responsible.
- A vehicle manufacturer: A manufacturer or another party in the supply chain may potentially be liable if a defective vehicle component contributed to the collision.
- A property owner: A property owner may bear responsibility if a dangerous condition on their property contributed to the pedestrian accident.
- A government entity: If a defective traffic signal, dangerous roadway condition, or another public infrastructure problem contributed to the crash, a government entity could potentially be involved.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
A pedestrian has virtually no physical protection against the force of a motor vehicle. As a result, these accidents can produce serious injuries, such as:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Organ damage
- Road rash and other skin injuries
- Muscle and ligament damage
- Amputations
- Nerve damage
- Severe lacerations
- Psychological trauma
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Georgetown
What you do after a pedestrian accident can affect the strength of your legal claim. It’s critical to:
- Report the accident: Contact law enforcement and make sure the collision is documented.
- Gather information: Obtain the driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and vehicle information.
- Document the scene: Take photographs or videos of the accident location, your injuries, the vehicle, traffic signs, road conditions, and other relevant details.
- Identify witnesses: Ask witnesses for their contact information.
- Get medical attention: Seek prompt medical care, even if your injuries don’t seem serious.
- Keep records: Save medical bills, receipts, wage documentation, prescriptions, and other records related to the accident.
- Avoid discussing fault: Do not speculate about who caused the accident when speaking with the driver, insurance company, or police.
- Be careful on social media: Posts or photographs that appear inconsistent with your story could potentially be used against you.
- Contact a lawyer: Speak to our car accident lawyers before agreeing to a settlement.
Talk to a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Georgetown
Pedestrian accident injuries often require months of treatment. If you were hit by a negligent driver, a Georgetown pedestrian accident attorney from The Texas Law Dog can investigate the crash, negotiate with insurers, and fight for the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
Book a free case evaluation to start putting together your claim.
