More than 60,000 pedestrians are injured in traffic crashes in the U.S. each year, and many of these incidents resulted in devastating or fatal injuries. If a car hits and injures you or a loved one, you can be entitled to compensation in a personal injury lawsuit, but the legal process is never easy.
You need a dedicated Cornelius pedestrian accident lawyer at Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys. We know how to negotiate maximum compensation from the liable insurance companies for serious pedestrian injuries.
Don’t take on the insurance company alone with a devastating injury. Our personal injury lawyers are ready to fight for you.
Why Choose Us?
Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys is a skilled pedestrian accident law firm with proven results in car and pedestrian accident claims. Our lead lawyers worked in insurance legal defense for years, so they understand the tactics insurance companies use to underpay pedestrian accident victims. Horton & Mendez will act as your trusted legal advocates and will always fight to maximize the compensation for your pedestrian accident injuries.
Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys regularly obtain top compensation for their clients, including a $117,000 settlement for one client hit by a car while walking. Our Cornelius pedestrian accident lawyers will review your case today to determine if you have a valid legal claim.
If so, we will negotiate aggressively with the insurance company for the maximum compensation for your medical bills and other losses.
We can review your case today to determine if someone’s negligence caused your pedestrian accident injury and advise you on what you might expect from the process. Speak to one of our pedestrian accident lawyers in a free consultation by calling (980) 414-5755.
How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
Pedestrian accidents often occur due to driver error, which might include:
- Distracted driving: Distracted drivers killed at least 3,275 people across the nation last year. Drivers who text, use their phones, or are otherwise distracted often fail to notice pedestrians.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of impact.
- Failure to yield: Drivers not stopping at crosswalks or intersections where pedestrians have the right of way.
- Drunk driving: Alcohol or drug use while driving impairs judgment and reaction times.
- Ignoring traffic signals: Running red lights or stop signs endangers pedestrians and other road users.
A Cornelius pedestrian accident lawyer will review the accident evidence today. They will determine if another party violated their duty of care and injured you. Then, your lawyer will file a claim with the liable insurance company to secure compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth?
Many pedestrian accidents cause serious injuries. A vehicle hitting a pedestrian or cyclist usually leads to severe injuries, including head trauma, spine injuries, road rash, broken bones, internal injuries, paralysis, and sometimes, death. Your claim’s value depends on several critical factors:
Severity and Nature of Injuries
The most significant factor in determining the value of your pedestrian accident claim is the extent and severity of your injuries.
Minor injuries, such as bruises, sprains, or superficial cuts, often result in lower settlements, depending on the severity of the injury, associated medical costs, and the duration of recovery.
Severe injuries, like fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or permanent disfigurement, can push settlements into the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. For example, injuries requiring surgery, long-term rehabilitation, or resulting in permanent disability significantly increase compensation due to higher medical expenses and impacts on your quality of life.
Economic Losses
Economic damages are your calculable financial losses caused by the accident. These damages include past and future medical expenses, such as hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and assistive devices like wheelchairs.
Lost wages are another key element of your claim that compensates for income missed due to your recovery time or inability to work. If the injury permanently affects the victim’s ability to earn a living, compensation may include loss of future earning capacity, which is often calculated with the assistance of expert testimony. For instance, if you can no longer perform a high-paying job, like manual labor or specialized professions, you may receive substantial awards for lost earnings.
Non-Economic Losses
Non-economic damages compensate you for intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life, and often make up a significant portion of your pedestrian accident claim.
These damages account for physical pain, mental anguish, and lifestyle changes, like your inability to engage in hobbies, sports, or family activities. Calculating non-economic damages is subjective, with no fixed formula in place. Many pedestrian accident attorneys employ a multiplier method, applying a factor of 1.5 to 5 to economic damages based on the severity of the injury.
Others may use a per diem approach, assigning a daily rate for pain and suffering during recovery. Severe or permanent injuries, such as paralysis or visible scarring, typically warrant higher non-economic awards.
Our Cornelius pedestrian accident lawyers will calculate the approximate value of your claim as a starting point for insurance settlement negotiations. Your lawyer will attempt to negotiate the highest settlement for your injuries. Most pedestrian accident claims are settled. However, if the insurance company refuses to provide a fair settlement, your pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to take the case to trial.
Contact Our Cornelius Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Today
North Carolina law allows injury victims to sue for damages when another party’s negligence causes injuries and other losses.
For instance, if a car hits you in a crosswalk, you can file a claim for medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. However, the liable insurance company will often reject liability or offer less than you deserve.
That’s why you need Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys fighting for you now. Our skilled lawyers have obtained millions in compensation for our personal injury clients. Contact our pedestrian accident attorneys today for a free consultation to learn if you have a case. Call our office at (980) 414-5755 now.
