If you have been involved in a car accident as a pedestrian, the two most important things are getting medical attention as soon as possible and speaking to a personal injury attorney afterward. Getting medical attention immediately allows the doctor to assess your injuries, give you the care and treatment you need and check whether you will need ongoing care. A personal injury attorney helps establish liability and files a lawsuit so you can be compensated for your injuries and related medical expenses.
Understanding Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
Liability means fault. If a driver is liable for an accident, they are responsible for it and the injuries, damages, and fatalities they may have caused. Establishing liability is a crucial part of filing a personal injury lawsuit because if you cannot establish liability or who is at fault for the accident, there is no one to sue or compensate you, and so you have to deal with all expenses alone.
Although the specifics depend on the accident and its circumstances, pedestrians can seek compensation for personal injuries and property damage to recover from their losses.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses are an umbrella term for everything a pedestrian or driver is charged for the medical care they receive after being involved in a car accident. Since they are the ones being struck by the vehicle, pedestrians typically incur much higher medical expenses than drivers except in very specific circumstances, such as the driver swerving off the road after hitting the pedestrian.
There are many types of medical expenses depending on the circumstances of the accident. These include:
- Emergency care – These expenses typically include the cost of the ambulance and the emergency treatment they receive at the accident site and immediately after they get to a hospital. These costs can also include diagnostic procedures such as CT scans, X-rays, MRIs, and lab tests.
- Injury treatment – These are costs associated with treating injuries such as broken bones, concussions, bleeds, and internal injuries. Some injuries might also require surgery which is included as part of injury costs. Depending on several factors, some patients may also need follow-up appointments that could be very expensive.
- Rehabilitation – Some patients need rehabilitation, especially if their injuries are extensive. Rehabilitation helps them recover as much mobility and function as possible.
Since these costs can be substantial and therefore burden the victim significantly, they are always included when a person files a personal injury claim.
The Role of Insurance
In many cases, the driver’s insurance can compensate the victim for their injuries, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. The limit for how much they can compensate you will depend on the policy, where you live, and the type of insurance the driver holds.
If the insurance company doesn’t compensate you, you should talk to a lawyer to file a lawsuit that will compel them to cover your damages.
Being struck by a car can be devastating due to immediate injuries and burden you significantly due to expensive treatments and ongoing rehabilitation.
If you have been involved in an accident, it is best to get in touch with the experienced personal injury lawyers at Kyle Peiter, PLLC to start the process of getting compensated. You can visit our offices at 814 S Church St., Suite 210, Murfreesboro, TN 37130, for a consultation or call now for a free consultation at (615) 806-6561.
