Many people choose to walk as a way to get to work, run errands, or simply get some fresh air. However, even if someone never steps foot in a car, they could still be at risk of serious injury.
A driver who is involved in an accident may find themselves pushed onto a sidewalk or through a crosswalk when a pedestrian is crossing the road. In other cases, a defendant’s failure to yield to a pedestrian with the right of way may lead to serious accidents.
If you were struck by a negligent driver, you should consider reaching out to an experienced personal injury attorney. A Colorado Springs pedestrian accident lawyer could work with you to hold the negligent driver accountable for your injuries and help you recover compensation.
Contact Springs Law Group today to schedule a free consultation.
All drivers assume a duty of care to drive responsibly and reasonably while behind the wheel of a car. They owe this duty to all other people and vehicles they may encounter while driving, including pedestrians.
For instance, Colorado Revised Statute §42-4-802 requires that all drivers yield the right of way to pedestrians who are attempting to cross the road. While failure to yield is not a criminal offense, a conviction in traffic court for failure to yield to a pedestrian can serve as crucial evidence in a victim’s claim for damages.
However, drivers do not necessarily need to violate a specific traffic law to be found at fault for a pedestrian’s injuries. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can review your case to identify a driver’s negligent actions to help you file a claim.
Drivers aren’t always the only negligent party in accidents involving pedestrians. People walking on sidewalks must follow certain laws and regulations, too.
Colorado law also states that pedestrians may not suddenly walk off a curb, cross the road, or behave in any other reckless manner that could create an immediate hazard. Additionally, all pedestrians should take appropriate care to check their surroundings before crossing at an intersection.
So what happens if you were an at-fault pedestrian?
Defendant drivers and their insurance companies may point to violations of these traffic laws as examples of comparative negligence. According to CO Rev. Stat. §13-21-111, courts must evaluate the actions of all parties involved in accidents to assign blame.
If the court believes that the injured pedestrian is partially responsible for an accident, that court may reduce or negate that plaintiff’s award at trial. A personal injury lawyer with experience in pedestrian accidents can evaluate your case to determine if you may receive a reduced award due to your responsibility for the accident.
A pedestrian struck by a vehicle may experience severe injuries even if the impact occurs at a relatively low speed. Fortunately, if you suffered catastrophic injuries after getting hit by a car, you may be entitled to compensation.
A Colorado Springs pedestrian accident lawyer could help you file a claim and hold a negligent driver accountable. At Springs Law Group, we will guide you through the personal injury claim process and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free case review.
What types of damages can I recover in my pedestrian accident claim?
You can recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are any losses that come with a dollar sign. For example, current and future medical bills, lost earnings, therapy services, and medical equipment are all examples of economic damages. You can seek compensation for any costs you paid due to your accident.
On the other hand, non-economic damages don’t have a monetary value. Some examples include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and depression. Your lawyer can help you calculate your non-economic damages since they don’t have monetary values assigned to them.
What do I do if the at-fault driver’s insurance company tries to blame me for the accident?
Say you crossed an intersection legally and got hit by a vehicle. Even though you weren’t at fault for the accident, the insurance company claims you have partial fault for your pedestrian accident injuries. If this happens to you, contact a pedestrian accident attorney immediately. Do NOT speak to the insurance company or provide a recorded statement until you have a lawyer. They will use anything you say or do to deny your claim or reduce your award.
Your lawyer will defend you and help determine who was at fault for the accident. They will stand up against the insurance company and make sure you get the compensation that you’re owed.
How can a pedestrian accident lawyer help me?
Having a lawyer on your side is possibly the best resource you can have. Your lawyer will evaluate your pedestrian accident case, gather evidence, and find witnesses. They will also negotiate with the insurance company for you. If the insurance company doesn’t comply, you can file a pedestrian accident lawsuit, and your attorney will represent you in court.
Beyond all of their duties, your lawyer is your compassionate guide. They will support you through this process and answer any questions you may have. You can rely on your lawyer to get you fair compensation for your damages.
Springs Law Group is an amazing group to work with! I got into a rough accident, and they never ceased to let me know they were there working hard to help me in my hour of need. It was always very easy to reach out to someone if I had any questions, and they were always happy to answer any questions I had.
The entire team at Springs Law group has been nothing but amazing. Jake and the rest of the staff were great to work with and extremely professional. They were very attentive and answered any questions and concerns I had. I was always able to contact them and they were very responsive and communicated with me
Big thanks to Mr. Jake Kimbell and his team for their assistance with my case. He helped me through an incredibly challenging part of my life, and most importantly helped navigate through the convoluted legal channels of my case. I cannot thank him and his team enough for their support.
I never have a problem with getting a response when I need them – which is not the case with most other firms. They really truly care about each client. As a plus, they always have positive attitudes, which matters tremendously when you are in a stressful legal situation.
Springs Law Group is an amazing group to work with! I got into a rough accident, and they never ceased to let me know they were there working hard to help me in my hour of need. It was always very easy to reach out to someone if I had any questions, and they were always happy to answer any questions I had.
Springs Law is very friendly and professional. I always felt that they were on my side and cared about my injury and what I was going through. I highly recommend them.