Being struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian may prove to be life-transforming. One moment, you are crossing a street, and the next, you are being faced with injuries, medical bills, and uncertainty of what is coming next. If you’ve been hit or injured while walking, you’re in good company. Many people face these pedestrian accident dilemmas in Colorado Springs. The best part is that several options and a legal help arm are available to guide you.
A pedestrian accident attorney in Colorado Springs can help you understand your rights in dealing with the insurance companies and getting the compensation you really deserve. You may have broken bones, head injuries, or emotional trauma, but a reliable attorney will do your case justice with all that he knows when he takes it on for you.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Various factors can cause a pedestrian accident. Common causes include careless driver actions and unsafe road conditions. Understanding the exact cause of the accident helps the lawyer frame a strong argument in favor of the client.
1. Distracted Driving
Texting, talking on the phone, eating, or changing the radio can all keep your driver from paying attention. A single second of inattention can result in a terrible accident.
2. Speeding
Moreover, with less time to stop or respond to pedestrians, the speedier one must come to a stop. The bump becomes even worse if there happens to be an accident; hence, the victims sustain worse injuries arising from speeding.
3. Failure to Yield
Drivers are required, by law, to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen with all drivers. If he doesn’t stop, he can cause massive harm to others.
4. Drunk or Impaired Driving
Drinking alcohol and using drugs impairs a driver’s concentration, lowering his rapid reaction time. A leading cause of pedestrian accidents remains drunk driving.
5. Poor Visibility
At night or during low-light conditions, dark streets, bad weather, and parked vehicles can make it hard for a driver to see a pedestrian.
Common Injuries from Pedestrian Accidents
The absence of protection for pedestrians from an impact often results in grievous injuries.
- Broken Bones – Usually, fractures can be found in the arm, leg, or rib.
- Head and Brain Injuries – Memory loss, headache, or cognitive problems can result from concussions or TBIs.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Spine injury can certainly cause chronic pain or paralysis.
- Internal Injuries – Whether organs are lacerated or bleeding arises after damage, these can be life-threatening.
- Cuts and Bruises – Even trivial wounds can cause infections or scarring.
It takes time and money to heal. This is where you can collaborate with an attorney experienced in pedestrian accidents in Colorado Springs to help you recover compensation that will cover medical bills and lost wages.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
What you do immediately after a pedestrian accident can affect your health and your ability to get compensation.
1. Get Medical Help Immediately
Some injuries take time to show up before a person realizes they’re injured, not just feeling fine. Medical check-ups will include examining a person who is apparently in good condition but may have hidden traumas from an accident, thus providing an important medical record that can help the case later.
2. Call the Police
Police reports will document the accident based on both parties’ versions of the events. Within the police report, the police will capture all the information, like the names of the drivers involved in the accident, their contacts, and the collective statements from the witnesses.
3. Gather Evidence
If you can, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your belongings. Also, try to get the driver’s contact details and any witnesses.
4. Don’t Talk to the Insurance Company Yet
Insurance companies often try to settle quickly for less than you deserve. Let your attorney handle the communication to protect your case and avoid accepting a low offer.
5. Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
An experienced attorney will protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. They’ll handle the legal details so you can focus on healing.
How a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help
A pedestrian accident attorney in Colorado Springs can handle all the paperwork and legal work to let you rest easy while recovering. Here is how they would help you:
1. Investigate the Accident
Your lawyer will gather evidence, such as police reports, traffic camera footage, and witness statements, to make a strong case. They will work to argue the fault against the driver.
2. Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies always try to pay as little as possible. That is why your attorney will negotiate to maximize your settlement.
3. Calculate Your Total Losses
A skilled attorney will make sure that all of your losses are included in your claim, such as:
- Medical bills (including future medical expenses)
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Emotional distress
4. File a Lawsuit if Necessary
Suppose the insurance company refuses to negotiate a fair settlement with you. In that case, your attorney can give supportive advice on how to file a lawsuit to take your case to court to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Legal Help Matters
If proper legal representation is not secured, the compensation payable to you could be reduced. Insurance companies are clever and habitually deny injury severity or shift the blame entirely to the poor pedestrians to avoid paying large settlements.
Colorado’s rules on comparative negligence mean your compensation is reduced by how much you are at fault. If you are 20% at fault, you will lose 20% of your payout.
An experienced “pedestrian accident attorney in Colorado Springs” will minimize any fault attributed to you while fighting for the highest possible compensation.
Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Pedestrian accidents are not the only personal injury cases that require legal intervention. Slip-and-fall accidents, which are typical and may cause grievous bodily harm, are also a vast area of concern.
Slip and fall attorneys in Colorado Springs can assist with any injuries that may have come due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, including:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Uneven sidewalks or stairs
- Poor lighting
- Lack of warning signs
Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises safe. If they fail to do so and you get hurt, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Choosing the Right Attorney
Selecting the right attorney can make a big difference in your case. Look for an attorney who:
- Offers a free consultation
- Works on a contingency fee basis (you don’t pay unless they win)
- Has experience with personal injury cases
- Communicates clearly and keeps you informed about your case
A good attorney will handle the legal details so you can focus on your recovery without additional stress.
Why Experience Matters
An experienced lawyer would know where to gather evidence, negotiate with insurance, and build a solid case in court when required. They understand the specific laws of Colorado that could affect your case.
Conclusion
Being involved in a pedestrian accident can be creepy and give you anxiety about the future — but you don’t need to go through it alone. Whether struck by a vehicle or hurt in a slip-and-fall accident, an excellent pedestrian accident lawyer in Colorado Springs or a slip-and-fall lawyer in Colorado Springs can provide assistance with the settlement amount to make a healthy recovery.
Don’t let an accident define your future. Contact a trustworthy attorney and take the next step to getting your life back on track.
Need Legal Help? Get the Support You Deserve Today!
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, Kim Welch Law is here to help. With deep experience in Colorado Springs personal injury cases, we’ll fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Reach out today for a free consultation and take the first step toward recovery.