You suffered life-changing injuries in a pedestrian accident on a busy street, and now you’re trying to decide what your next steps should be. You’ve done your research and you believe you deserve compensation for medical treatment and lost wages. But do you need legal representation in your personal injury case?
The answer is yes, even if your pedestrian accident claim looks straightforward at first glance. Learn five reasons why you need a lawyer if you’re involved in a pedestrian accident.
Before we dig into the article, let’s review the top five reasons:
You should hire a pedestrian accident attorney because:
According to California’s laws, you may represent your own interests after a pedestrian or car accident. However, most people who suffered pedestrian accidents hire personal injury lawyers to support their claims or lawsuit. There are several good reasons why working with an attorney is your best option if you intend to pursue a personal injury claim.
Now, let’s delve deeper into the reasons why you should hire a pedestrian accident lawyer.
Sadly, many pedestrian accidents result in severe or catastrophic injuries. Common injuries pedestrians sustain include broken bones, whiplash, TBI, and spinal cord injuries. When you’re facing a complex recovery process that involves prolonged treatment, you may have little time or mental space for anything else.
If you’re a family member who lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, or you’re starting a claim on behalf of a spouse, child, or parent who is unable to do so themself, you may be coping with deep mental anguish. In both cases, delegating your claim process to an attorney gives you the time and space you need to recover.
While the definition of “fair settlement” varies from case to case, as an accident victim, you may expect to collect compensation for your medical bills, prospective rehabilitation, missed days at work, and pain and suffering. If you’ve lost a family member, you may file a wrongful death claim that covers medical and funeral costs.
An accident attorney can assess your case, evaluate how much your claim may be worth, and work hard to seek a fair settlement comparable to what people in cases similar to yours usually recover.
Many insurance companies are notorious for their attempts to deny, downplay, or drag out legitimate claims. Your attorney will know how to protect your rights while negotiating with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or your own insurer.
Your lawyer can help you gather relevant evidence and documentation to support your claim, like medical records, police reports, photos and videos from the accident scene, and witness statements.
Insurance companies in California may take months to settle claims. During this time, you’ll likely face ongoing medical costs and loss of ability to work. As you’re dealing with major out-of-pocket costs, your goal is to settle your claim as soon as possible.
When an experienced law firm backs you up and promotes your interests, there’s a better chance that an insurance company will issue a reasonable settlement offer more quickly.
In case your settlement negotiations fail or you decide to pursue a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver, your attorney can represent you in the courtroom.
As your legal representative, your lawyer can help you determine fault and prove the other side’s unlawful actions, like distracted driving or carelessness when leaving a parking space. In some cases, your attorney may be able to help you pursue legal action against your municipality for poor street layout or a faulty road in the location where the accident occurred.
Not all lawyers are equally competent, so how do you choose a legal representative after an accident? We recommend working with a lawyer who:
Did you suffer serious injuries in a pedestrian accident in Orange County? At Khalil Law Group, we focus on protecting the rights of pedestrians and their families. We’ll provide unrelenting legal support throughout your personal injury claim process and use every available strategy to help you recover compensation.
Call (714) 617-5189 or contact us online for a free consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Orange County, CA.