St. Charles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
You may have been hit by a car while crossing the street, walking down a sidewalk, or walking in a parking lot. Now you have serious injuries, with a long road of physical and emotional recovery ahead of you. As you recover from your injuries, you may be missing work and unable to earn a living.
When this happens, you deserve to hold the person who struck you accountable for your injuries and damages. Contact the Law Office of Andrew S. Martin, LLC, today. You can discuss your case with a St. Charles pedestrian accident attorney.
Tips for Protecting Your Rights after a Pedestrian Accident
After you’ve been in a pedestrian accident, here’s how o protect your legal rights and options:
- Call 911 or police to receive emergency medical treatment. Have the police officers prepare an accident report.
- Document the accident scene, if possible, by photographing or videoing the scene and your visible injuries.
- See your doctor or medical provider for an examination. Document all the injuries you suffered in your accident.
- Follow up with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney. Learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue a claim for compensation.
How Our St. Charles Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help
If you have a claim for compensation following your accident, our St. Charles pedestrian accident lawyer can help by:
- Securing evidence from your accident
- Documenting your damages, including medical bills and lost wages
- Documenting your pain and suffering or lost quality of life your injuries have caused
- Negotiating with the insurance companies to get you full compensation for your damages
- Preparing to take your case to trial, if necessary, and vigorously advocating on your behalf to secure a favorable verdict
Pursuing Full Compensation for Injured Pedestrians
When you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the various damages you’ve incurred as a result of your injuries. Your damages may include:
- Costs of medical treatment
- Lost wages from time missed from work during your recovery
- Lost earning capacity, if you cannot return to your pre-accident job or level of work
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
You may also be able to recover compensation for property damage you suffered in your accident. Property damage may include broken glasses, watches or cell phones, for example.
Understanding Your Own Insurance Coverage
Suppose you or a loved one are struck by a negligent driver. The at-fault driver may speed away from the accident scene, or you may discover that the driver has little or no insurance coverage. In the meantime, the pedestrian accident has left you with extensive medical bills and put you out of work, unable to earn a living.
When you are the victim of a hit-and-run pedestrian accident or an uninsured/underinsured driver, you may be entitled to turn to your own auto insurance coverage for compensation. If you are insured by a car insurance policy, you may be covered by uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage kicks in when you are injured by a driver who lacks car insurance (or by a hit-and-run driver, who is presumed to not have insurance), or by a driver whose doesn’t have sufficient insurance coverage to fully compensate you for your damages.
Time Limits for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim
After you are injured in a pedestrian accident, you have a limited period of time to file a lawsuit for your injuries. This period is called the statute of limitations. In Missouri, the limitations period lasts only five years from the date of your accident.
Under limited circumstances, this period can be extended, or “tolled.” For instance, the statute of limitations may be tolled if you are under the age of 18
If you file your lawsuit after the limitations period expires, the court can permanently dismiss your case. That means you lose your right to seek compensation in court.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, he or she may suffer serious, life-altering injuries. Common injuries that our St. Charles pedestrian accident lawyer sees include:
- Severe lacerations, which can lead to profuse bleeding
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries such as tears to ligaments, tendons and muscles
- Neck and back injuries, including herniated and ruptured discs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Amputations
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Injuries suffered in pedestrian accidents can leave victims with permanent damage. In some cases, the injuries may prove to be fatal.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are frequently caused by the carelessness of other motorists. Common causes of pedestrian accidents in Missouri include:
- Speeding drivers
- Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted drivers, especially drivers texting while driving
- Drivers’ failure to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk
- Drivers’ failure to yield to pedestrians while making right or left turns
- Drivers’ failure to safely observe their surroundings when backing up
Do Pedestrians Have the Right of Way in Missouri?
Pedestrians may have the right of way in Missouri in certain circumstances. The law gives pedestrians the right of way when they cross a street or road in a marked crosswalk. If no crosswalk is available, a pedestrian may have the right of way if he or she crosses an intersection or between intersections by the most direct route. Pedestrians also have the right of way on sidewalks.
Talk to a Missouri Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Now
Have you or a loved one been seriously injured in a St. Charles pedestrian accident through no fault of your own? You deserve to be compensated for your injuries and damages by the driver who hit you.
Contact the Law Office of Andrew S. Martin, LLC, today. We can schedule a consultation to talk to our Missouri pedestrian accident lawyer about your legal rights and options. We will also discuss how our firm can help you secure the financial recovery and justice you deserve.