As a pedestrian, you are at some level of risk whenever you leave your home. Even if you are cautious, you cannot control the actions of other people or whether drivers respect the traffic laws that give you the right-of-way when crossing the street or through a parking lot.
If you suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident that was a motorist’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation. A Longmont pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm can fight for your legal rights. Our personal injury attorneys at Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., have considerable experience with cases such as yours and provide the one-on-one attention you need to fight for justice.
Why Do Serious Pedestrian Accidents Happen More Frequently?
The number of pedestrian accident fatalities has risen sharply in recent years. After the COVID-19 pandemic, this number reached a multi-year high and has remained elevated since then. There are several reasons for this sharp increase, including:
- Motorists are less respectful of traffic laws overall
- More people are opting for walking as a means of transportation
- Drivers are increasingly distracted and less likely to notice pedestrians
- Drivers are opting for larger vehicles, which magnifies the force with which they strike pedestrians
- Authorities have not made the necessary traffic safety improvements to protect pedestrians as traffic volumes have swelled
Pedestrians in Longmont are more at risk than ever, and those who survive serious accidents often sustain life-altering injuries and need a skilled lawyer to help pursue compensation for their losses.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
After a pedestrian accident, your priorities should be protecting your health, documenting what happened, and preserving your legal rights. You should see a doctor even if your injuries seem minor. Concussions, soft-tissue damage, and internal injuries often appear gradually. Keep all medical records and follow treatment instructions carefully. You need to gather information to support your claim, including saving photos of:
- Your injuries
- The accident scene
- Any vehicles involved in the incident
- Your damaged clothing and belongings
If you did not ask witnesses for their contact information, write down anything you remember that can help identify them. Evidence can also be limited. Skid marks fade, surveillance footage is erased, and witnesses become harder to locate as time passes, making prompt investigation critical.
Also, notify your insurance company about your pedestrian collision in Longmont, but avoid making recorded statements about it before speaking with an attorney. Track the accident’s impact on your daily life by keeping a journal. Our experienced team can handle other important tasks for you, such as communicating with insurers, investigating the crash, and protecting your right to compensation.
What Challenges Do You Face in a Pedestrian Accident Case?
Your pedestrian accident case may involve complex challenges that make proving liability and securing compensation difficult. One major issue is determining fault. Drivers, pedestrians, and even third parties may share responsibility in these incidents, so insurance companies may argue that you were partly to blame for your accident.
Another challenge is proving the severity of your injuries. Pedestrians typically suffer significant harm when cars hit them, which may lead insurers to scrutinize your medical treatment, question the extent of your injuries, or argue that some of your conditions were pre-existing. Calculating damages can be complicated because you may experience ongoing pain and have long-term disabilities that could necessitate costly future medical care.
An additional challenge is dealing with insurance companies that try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. Without a lawyer’s help, you may struggle to negotiate fair compensation or navigate the deadlines, paperwork, and legal standards required to prove your pedestrian accident case in Longmont.
Call Our Attorneys if You Were Struck by a Car While Walking in Longmont
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, you need immediate legal help. Our dedicated attorneys at Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., are ready to investigate your case, stand up to insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial impact of these accidents and are ready to help you recuperate and rebuild your life. Contact a Longmont pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
