A pedestrian accident can lead to catastrophic injuries. Without the protection of a metal frame, a pedestrian might end up with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, fractured or broken bones, internal injuries, or road rash, all of which can lead to tens or hundreds of thousands in medical bills and no way to pay for them.
Fortunately, if you can prove the driver was at-fault for the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. Navigating the legal system can be difficult in the best circumstances; if you are suffering from severe injuries, it can feel impossible. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Arlington County can help.
To discuss your case with an Arlington County personal injury lawyer, call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today: 571-229-1800.
What Compensation Can I Collect?
Every case is different, but it is likely you will be collecting compensation for many of the following:
- Current medical bills: This might include ambulance bills, hospital stays, doctor’s visits, medication, and rehab costs.
- Future medical bills: Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could require long-term, if not lifelong, treatment. We will discuss your case with medical experts to determine how your injury might continue to affect you.
- Lost wages: Because pedestrian accidents often lead to serious injuries, it is likely you will miss extensive time at work. We will present your pay stubs and statements from your employer with your salary, hours worked, and days of work missed since your injury.
- Lost earning capacity: If your injuries keep you from returning to work full-time or force you to retire completely, you can recover compensation for the wages you would have earned had the accident not occurred.
In addition to these damages, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Arlington County can help you collect noneconomic damages as well. Unlike the above damages, non-economic damages are not collected based on fixed economic losses. Rather, they are based on the negative impact your accident has had on your quality of life.
A pedestrian accident lawyer in Arlington County will seek the following noneconomic damages:
- “Pain and suffering” and inconvenience: Pain and suffering damages compensate you for extensive mental and physical ailments. These damages are associated with assorted limitations resulting from the trauma of your ailments. Compensation for “pain and suffering” and inconvenience covers you for the anguish and irritation you endure as you recover.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your accident was particularly severe, it is possible you are unable to participate in activities you enjoy. For example, if you played a sport every weekend, and are now unable to, we can request damages for loss of enjoyment of life.
Who Pays for My Compensation?
Who pays for your injuries depends on who was at-fault for the accident. If the driver who hit you was at-fault, he is responsible for your injuries.
However, to recover compensation, we must prove the driver behaved negligently in some way. Proving negligence requires establishing the following four elements:
- Duty of care: The driver had a duty to drive safely. This involves paying attention to the road, watching for pedestrians, yielding right-of-way, etc.
- Breach of duty: The driver breached that duty. This could involve texting and driving, driving while intoxicated or fatigued, failing to yield right-of-way (e.g., turning right when a pedestrian is in the crosswalk).
- Causation: The driver’s breach of duty caused your accident, which caused your injuries. For example, the driver turned right while you were in the crosswalk. Instead of allowing you to finish crossing, he hit you, causing you to suffer a broken arm, road rash, and a traumatic brain injury.
- Damages: You suffered damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and “pain and suffering” and inconvenience.
Proving the four elements of negligence might require evidence such as police reports, surveillance video, eyewitness testimony, medical records, etc.
Arlington County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
How Can the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC Help Me with My Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Recovering from injuries is often quite stressful. This becomes even more so when you must deal with an insurance adjuster whose primary goal is to give you much less than you deserve for your injuries. In many cases, this means taking advantage of your vulnerability and offering you a low settlement or tricking you into admitting fault.
Jim Parrish knows these tricks because he used to represent insurance companies. Now, he uses that insider information for the party on the other side of the table: you.
He handles all communication with the insurer, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries instead of what to say to the adjuster. This also allows him to protect your case from anything you might unintentionally admit.
He will also ensure your settlement covers everything the accident cost you. Jim will make sure that you have the money you need to get by if you are unable to work or end up needing round-the-clock care.
Contact the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC For a Free Consultation
Every accident is a serious matter, but being involved in one as you walk the streets can be particularly catastrophic. But a pedestrian accident lawyer in Arlington County can help provide the thoughtful guidance you need during these painful, confusing times. Call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC now at 571-229-1800 to learn how we can help.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form