As the injured pedestrian in a pedestrian accident case, your expenses are likely piling up. Seeking a fair settlement from the insurance provider and at-fault driver can ease the financial burden of the accident. But accident victims don’t always receive adequate compensation.
Following the right steps after your accident can help you increase your payout. Read on to learn how to maximize compensation for a pedestrian accident.
You can take a few steps at the scene of the pedestrian accident to streamline your accident case and increase your payout. These steps may include:
If your injuries are serious and you leave the scene in the back of an ambulance, you may not be able to follow most of these steps. In pedestrian accidents where you can’t gather evidence at the scene, you should contact an attorney as soon as you can.
Whether you only have minor injuries and can stay on-scene to follow the steps listed above or need to leave for immediate medical treatment for severe injuries, your attorney can help you gather the evidence you need for your personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit.
An experienced injury lawyer can:
Whether you want to pursue fair compensation through an insurance claim, a lawsuit, or both, hiring an experienced attorney can help increase your pedestrian car accident settlement.
Statistics show that in personal injury cases where the injured person has an attorney, they net a higher average settlement than in pedestrian car accident cases where the pedestrian hit by a car doesn’t have legal representation.
Auto accidents are violent acts for the human body, whether the victims are drivers or pedestrians. The medical expenses from serious injuries can financially ruin a victim if the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage limits aren’t high enough.
After being hit by a car, pedestrian accident injuries can include:
The medical costs to treat these conditions can vary depending on the type, location, and degree of damage to the body. Costs can include a hospital stay, an ambulance ride, emergency surgery, prescription medications, and more.
California is an at-fault insurance state for car accidents. Pedestrians should file claims through the negligent driver’s insurance policy for their injuries. If the driver doesn’t have insurance or leaves the scene in a hit-and-run, a pedestrian would file their claim under their own uninsured motorist coverage policy.
Insurance companies often try to deny or reduce the value of claims. The adjuster monitoring your claim will try to use anything you say against you in evaluating your claim. By hiring a personal injury attorney to manage your claim, you improve your chances of a fair pedestrian accident settlement.
You may need to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver to pursue the full value of your medical expenses and other damages. During a lawsuit, your attorney will be able to request what evidence the opposing side has during a stage called “discovery.” The opposing side will also be able to request the same information from your attorney.
Many claims settle out of court when the insurance company’s attorneys realize that you have a solid case for your claim. If your case goes to trial, your pedestrian accident lawyer will present your evidence before a jury. You may reach a settlement before the trial ends, or the jury might determine compensation awards during a final decision.
When you want an attorney on your side who knows how to maximize compensation for a pedestrian accident, contact us at Khalil Law Group in Orange County, CA. Call us today at (714) 617-7870 or contact us online to schedule a case evaluation.