Lafourche Parish Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Louisiana law grants protections to pedestrians under certain guidelines. If there are traffic lights at a location, then vehicles must stop when the traffic signal indicates it is okay for the pedestrian to cross. In areas where there is no traffic light but there is a crosswalk, vehicle drivers are required to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk or waiting to cross.
Unfortunately, many drivers fail to obey these laws, often because of negligent or reckless driving behaviors, and pedestrians end up with serious injuries.
If you are hit by a vehicle, including a commercial truck or public bus, while attempting to cross a street, parking lot, or other location, speak with a qualified personal injury attorney today. A Lafourche Parish pedestrian accident lawyer could assist you in obtaining financial compensation for any damages you suffer as a result.
What are the Common Causes and Effects of Pedestrian Accidents?
Driver negligence is the cause most often cited in pedestrian accident cases in Lafourche Parish. Some of the most common types of negligent behaviors include:
- Distracted driving, such as text messaging, fiddling with the radio, or checking a GPS
- Running a red light
- Taking a turn into a crosswalk without looking for any pedestrians crossing before turning
- Driving under the influence
- Pulling out of a parking space or driveway without checking to see if anyone is walking near the vehicle
Injuries sustained by victims of pedestrian accidents are often severe because there is nothing between the person and the often multiple-ton vehicle that slams into them. Some of the most serious injuries victims of pedestrian accidents may sustain are:
- Bone fractures and breaks, including in the torso and pelvis
- Head, facial, and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries
An experienced Lafourche Parish pedestrian accident attorney could aggressively advocate on behalf of victims hit by vehicles in order to obtain compensation for their injuries.
Pedestrian Accident Claims in Lafourche Parish
Victims of pedestrian accidents frequently go through a long and painful recovery period. Their injuries often require surgeries and rehabilitation, which can also mean an extended period of time of being unable to work. Some victims may even be left with permanent disabilities from their injuries.
A pedestrian accident lawyer in Lafourche Parish can assist an accident victim with filing a claim against the at-fault driver and getting financial compensation for both economic and noneconomic damages.
What are Recoverable Damages in Pedestrian Accident Cases?
Economic damages can include medical expenses for injury treatment, including any future treatment required. A lawyer can also pursue damages for the wages and benefits their client may lose if they are unable to work while recovering or for loss of future income and impairment of earning capacity in the event that a permanent disability stemming from the accident prevents them from ever going back to their old job.
Noneconomic damages are losses that do not have an attached dollar amount and need to be calculated another way. These losses may include pain and suffering, emotional anguish, scarring, disfigurement, and permanent disability.
A lawyer in Lafourche Parish who handles pedestrian accident cases could work to determine what type of noneconomic losses accident victims may have suffered, as well as calculate an appropriate value for a settlement demand.
Contact a Lafourche Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
Pedestrian accident claims can be complicated because of both the severity of the injuries sustained and the difficulty of proving accident liability. Guilty drivers and their insurance companies often try to find ways to blame the victim in an effort to minimize or deny the amount of compensation owed.
This is why it could be important to have a Lafourche Parish pedestrian accident lawyer representing your best interests. Contact a skilled attorney today for a case evaluation.