If a car struck you or a loved one, you need all the support you can get. You are likely facing serious injuries and extensive medical costs. Some victims of pedestrian accidents even suffer permanent injuries that will change their lives for years to come. If you or a loved one has been struck by a car, you may be eligible for compensation from the driver or their insurance company. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Loudoun County can help.
The personal injury team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, would like to the opportunity to meet you, discuss your situation, and assess our ability to help. We offer free, confidential consultations to help victims of Virginia pedestrian crashes choose their next steps. Call us at 571-229-1800 to find out how we can assist you.
The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, Understands Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable users of our roadways. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem is only getting worse. Traffic accidents kill at least one pedestrian every two hours and injure another pedestrian every seven minutes. People traveling on foot experienced an increase in fatalities in the United States between 2014 and 2015.
Negligence causes many of these accidents. Drivers owe a duty of care to pedestrians to take safety precautions. This duty extends to crosswalks, sidewalks, and bicycle paths that pedestrians sometimes traverse. It also applies to roadsides.
Even parking lots can be places of peril if drivers are not paying attention. Common pedestrian accident causes are:
- Drivers failing to look for pedestrians in crosswalks, especially when making turns;
- Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at intersections;
- Drivers failing to stop at traffic lights or stop signs;
- Drivers failing to operate their vehicle at a safe speed;
- Drivers talking on the phone, sending an email, checking social media, or texting and driving;
- Drivers tending to other vehicle occupants, looking at a map, programming a GPS device, or searching for dropped items;
- Drivers operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol; and
- Drivers swerving off the road.
If the driver in your case engaged in reckless behavior prior to your crash, you could have a valid claim for compensation.
The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, Carefully Evaluates Damages
A pedestrian may suffer injuries ranging from moderate to severe. Some victims make a full physical recovery, while others suffer permanent physical consequences. In either case, the emotional effects of the accident can weigh on victims for years to come. You may be eligible for compensation for these and other damages in your personal injury case.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company will want to pay out as little as possible. The easiest way to do this is to deny that its insured driver was at fault. We understand how to overcome these challenges and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
In most cases, insurance company adjusters need to see a careful presentation of evidence in order to write a settlement check that fairly reflects your losses. A Loudoun County pedestrian accident lawyer can determine a fair value for your damages and present it to the insurance company with your claim.
When our Loudon County pedestrian accident lawyers calculate your demand for compensation, we will include many associated expenses and losses.
Medical Bills
You have most likely incurred expenses for health care. These can include hospital bills, as well as bills from surgeons, specialists, radiologists, dentists, chiropractors, and your primary care physician. If you sought counseling or mental health support, you can recover compensation for those costs, too.
Other Out-Of-Pocket Costs
If you have incurred—or will incur—expenses relating to long-term care, whether facility-based or home health care, those are also part of your damages. If you need durable medical equipment or you must make mobility accommodations to your home or vehicle, those expenses are also compensable.
Lost Wages
These losses not only have to do with missed work, but also your future earning potential.
Wrongful Death
No amount of money can reverse a fatal accident or buy you more time with your lost loved one. The law allows estates and surviving family members to recover certain damages through a wrongful death claim. These damages could include:
- Sorrow and mental anguish;
- Reasonable funeral, burial, or cremation expenses;
- Loss of the deceased victim’s comfort, care, society, companionship, guidance, advice, and family duties;
- The value of the wages and benefits that the deceased might have earned if they lived; and
- Medical expenses related to your family member’s final illness or injury.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering. Also included is “inconvenience,” which compensates you for the many annoyances and difficulties of dealing with the accident.
Punitive Damages
If drugs, alcohol, or road rage contributed to the accident, you might be eligible for punitive damages. On a case-by-case basis, a judge decides whether to instruct a jury to award these damages. The goal of such an award is to punish the offender, rather than compensate the victim.
Loudoun County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
Leave Your Burden of Proof to a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Before you can recover compensation, you will need proof showing the cause of your accident and evidence of your future medical needs based on your current prognosis. Our legal team can help you uncover this and other evidence to prove your claim.
A pedestrian accident attorney can also help you project your lost earning potential. Having the analysis of a vocational expert may significantly improve your chances of convincing an insurance company or jury of the depth of your losses.
We Offer Guidance as Well as Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
The team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, fights for you at every step of the way. It is our duty to provide you with sage guidance as we help you through this experience.
Start now by calling 571-229-1800 to schedule your free consultation.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form