A pedestrian accident can upend your life. If you’ve been the victim of one, a Suffolk County personal injury lawyer can help you pursue financial compensation.
Pedestrian accidents can result in devastating injuries, costly medical bills, and emotional trauma. If you were hit by a vehicle in Suffolk County, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
The team at Chaikin Trial Group Injury Lawyers has recovered over $100 million for clients like you. If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Suffolk County can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
How Can a Suffolk County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help Me?
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, a lawyer can:
- Investigate your accident: An attorney can collect evidence such as police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and expert testimony to establish liability.
- Calculate your damages: An attorney can assess your losses and determine your claim’s value.
- Negotiate with insurers: Insurance companies often undervalue pedestrian accident claims. A lawyer can fight for a settlement that reflects the true extent of your losses.
- Take your case to trial: If the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
Our Suffolk County pedestrian accident lawyers can ensure that your rights are protected at every stage of the legal process.
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What Is the Average Payout for a Pedestrian Hit by a Car in New York?
Since every case is different, there is no average payout for a pedestrian accident in New York. Settlements can range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars based on factors such as injury severity, each party’s degree of liability, and available insurance coverage.
A pedestrian accident attorney in Suffolk County can review your case and estimate its potential value.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover?
After a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to several types of damages, including:
- Medical expenses: You can recover the costs of hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
- Lost income: You can receive compensation for the wages you lost while recovering from your injuries.
- Loss of future earnings: You can claim damages if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or earning the same income.
- Pain and suffering: You can pursue compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Property damage: You can be reimbursed for personal belongings damaged in the accident, such as your phone or bicycle.
- Punitive damages: You can seek additional compensation if the driver’s actions were especially reckless or malicious, such as in cases of drunk driving.
A Suffolk County pedestrian accident attorney can help determine which categories of compensation apply to your situation.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accident Claims in NY?
Per NY CPLR § 214, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in New York is three years from the date of the incident. If you miss this deadline, you could be barred from seeking compensation, which is why you should contact our Suffolk County pedestrian accident attorneys as soon as possible.
Who Is At Fault in a Pedestrian Accident?
The answer to who is liable when a car hits a pedestrian can be complicated. While drivers often bear responsibility for failing to yield or driving carelessly, several parties may share liability depending on the circumstances of the crash. Those who may be held liable include:
- The driver: A motorist who was distracted, speeding, or impaired can be held liable for hitting a pedestrian.
- The pedestrian: If a pedestrian crossed outside a crosswalk or ignored traffic signals, they may share partial fault under New York’s comparative negligence law.
- Another driver: A secondary driver who caused the primary vehicle to swerve or lose control could also be found negligent.
- A vehicle manufacturer: If a mechanical defect contributed to the crash, the manufacturer may be liable.
- A government entity: The city or county may be responsible if unsafe road conditions, broken traffic lights, or poor signage contributed to the accident.
- A construction company or property owner: If debris, blocked sidewalks, or poor lighting near a construction site caused the accident, the responsible party could be held accountable.
A Suffolk County pedestrian injury lawyer can investigate your case, identify all liable parties, and gather the evidence needed to hold them accountable.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents often result from drivers’ negligence. Some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted driving: Texting, adjusting a GPS, or eating while driving can divert a driver’s attention from the road.
- Failure to yield: Many pedestrian accidents occur when drivers don’t stop at crosswalks or intersections.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of pedestrians’ injuries.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol and drug use impair judgment and coordination, putting pedestrians at high risk.
- Poor visibility: Accidents often happen at night, in bad weather, or in poorly lit areas.
- Unsafe road design: Missing crosswalks, inadequate signage, or malfunctioning traffic signals can contribute to accidents.
What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
The steps you take immediately after an accident can have a major impact on your case. If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, you should:
- Call 911: Report the accident and request emergency medical assistance for anyone who’s injured.
- Collect evidence: Take photos of the scene, your injuries, any vehicle damage, and the road conditions.
- Exchange information: Obtain the driver’s name, contact details, and insurance information, as well as contact info for any witnesses at the scene.
- Get medical treatment: Even if you feel fine, some injuries take time to appear. A medical evaluation will also create a record of your condition.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the accident as soon as possible, but avoid discussing fault.
- Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer: Reach out to our Suffolk County pedestrian hit-by-car lawyers to get help with your case.
Speak to a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Suffolk County
If you’ve been searching for a “Suffolk County pedestrian accident lawyer near me,” Chaikin Trial Group Injury Lawyers has you covered. Our experienced attorneys can investigate your accident, negotiate with insurers, and fight for every dollar you deserve.
Schedule a free case evaluation to find out how you can get justice.
