Pedestrians in the New Orleans area are typically able to reach their destinations safely, but pedestrian accidents can happen unexpectedly in various ways. If you recently suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident caused by a motor vehicle driver, it is crucial to understand your rights in this situation and the legal options available to you. A New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer is the ideal resource to consult in the aftermath of such an accident.
Many injured pedestrians find it helpful to speak with an experienced injury attorney in New Orleans who understands how to handle these unique types of cases. The Blake Jones Law Firm has years of professional experience representing injured clients in New Orleans and surrounding communities, and we are confident we can provide an unmatched level of legal counsel for your pedestrian accident claim. The sooner you contact our firm, the more time we will have to build a compelling case for you, and the more likely you will be to maximize your recovery.
It’s possible for a pedestrian accident to happen in many ways, and the most common cause of these accidents is driver negligence. Negligence defines any situation in which one party’s failure to act with reasonable care results in harm to another party. Pedestrian accidents can happen because of moving violations such as speeding or running red lights, and they may also occur because of distracted or intoxicated driving.
Before you can recover any compensation for your damages after a pedestrian accident, you will need to prove the exact cause of the accident and identify the party responsible. It is possible for disputes regarding liability to arise in these cases in several ways. For example, an at-fault driver may claim the pedestrian jaywalked or was otherwise negligent in a manner that contributed to causing the accident.
Your New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer will gather the evidence needed to prove liability for the accident. This could include testimony from eyewitnesses who saw the accident happen, physical evidence from the scene of the crash, and digital evidence like vehicle computer data, cell phone records, and more. It is also possible for an attorney to coordinate with expert witnesses who can provide unique and valuable professional insights on behalf of the victim.
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Every driver in New Orleans is required to have auto insurance that complies with the state’s minimum coverage requirements. When a driver causes an accident, their insurance can go toward paying for the damages. However, dealing with insurance companies after any type of vehicle accident can be very challenging as they will almost always push back against claims in whatever way they can.
It is important that you do not discuss a settlement with any insurance carrier before speaking with an attorney. Insurance companies train their representatives to use claimants’ own words against them whenever possible and to do everything they can to justify claim denials or lowball settlement offers. Some insurance companies will even attempt bad faith tactics, but having legal counsel on your side means you can be more confident about this stage of your case.
Your New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer can prepare you for the insurance claim filing process, so approach your interactions with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier with peace of mind. Your attorney will gather the documentation you will need to submit with your claim and will be ready to address any disputes from the insurance company. Once you receive a settlement offer, your attorney will review it to ensure it is fair under the terms of the defendant’s policy.
When an at-fault driver does not have insurance, or if insurance will not fully cover the victim’s damages, a personal injury suit may be the optimal legal mechanism for the injured victim to recover from their accident. Success with any personal injury case in New Orleans will require meeting the statute of limitations for filing the case, which begins ticking down on the date the accident happened.
It is important to gather sufficient evidence to prove fault and show the full extent of your claimable damages within this statute of limitations; otherwise, you will lose your chance to recover compensation from the at-fault driver. You will not only need to show the full scope of the losses you suffered but also prove that they are the direct results of the defendant’s actions and did not occur due to any other cause.
In a New Orleans personal injury case, the plaintiff has the right to claim compensation for any economic losses the defendant inflicted. These may include:
Your New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer will help you accurately calculate the economic damages you are eligible to recover with your claim, and they will also help you determine a suitable amount of pain and suffering compensation to seek from the defendant. Generally, the more severe the plaintiff’s injuries, the more they can potentially receive in pain and suffering compensation if they succeed with their case.
The Blake Jones Law Firm approaches every personal injury case we accept with the goal of maximizing our client’s recovery as much as state law allows and to do this as efficiently as possible. Your injuries have led to expensive medical bills, and if you are unable to work, it can quickly cause serious financial issues for you and your family. When another party is responsible for your accident, you need an attorney’s help to hold them accountable.
Once you have the evidence needed to prove fault for your pedestrian accident and have accurately assessed the full extent of your damages, your New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer can file your case and guide you through the proceedings to follow. Personal injury cases can be settled privately outside of court as long as both the plaintiff and defendant are willing to compromise, but litigation is unavoidable in some cases.
Your New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer can represent you in settlement negotiations with the defendant or defend you in the courtroom if litigation is required to resolve your case. When you work with the Blake Jones Law Firm, trust our team to provide guidance and support to help you make informed decisions about the direction of your recovery efforts and resolve your case as efficiently as possible.
When you have experienced legal counsel advising you, you can approach your pedestrian accident case with greater confidence. It’s natural for the victim of such an accident to be confused, distressed, and disoriented after their ordeal. They may have minimal recollection of the incident, have no idea who caused it, and they may worry about how they can recover their damages.
With our team’s assistance, you can focus on your medical needs and personal obligations with peace of mind, knowing your case is in capable hands. We will gather the evidence needed to prove fault for your accident and guide you through your recovery efforts, from filing an auto insurance claim against an at-fault driver to building a personal injury suit if necessary to ensure the fullest possible recovery.
If your case requires settlement negotiation or litigation, trust the Blake Jones Law Firm to provide unwavering support through all stages of your proceedings. Our firm has successfully helped many past clients recover from a wide range of complex accidents and will fully leverage this experience for you. During your initial consultation with our team, we will listen to your story and explain the legal services we can provide that can help you recover.
You must act quickly when it comes to building your pedestrian accident case in New Orleans. The evidence and witness testimony you will need to prove fault may not be available for long, and you face time limits for filing an auto insurance claim and/or personal injury suit. The sooner you contact the Blake Jones Law Firm, the more time we have to work on your case, so reach out to our firm as quickly as possible after your accident so we can get started.
Fault for a pedestrian accident in New Orleans may fall to one party or multiple parties. These accidents most commonly occur when drivers are negligent, but it is also possible for a pedestrian to be negligent in a manner that contributes to this type of accident happening. Your New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer can carefully review the details of your accident to help you prove liability and hold the appropriate party responsible for your damages.
Typically, auto insurance would cover a pedestrian accident if the driver caused the accident and they have appropriate insurance coverage. Louisiana law requires every driver to have liability coverage if they cause an accident, and their insurance will pay for the damages they cause to others. If you were hit by a motor vehicle driver while you were walking, filing a claim against their auto insurance policy will be an important step in your recovery.
The amount of compensation you can claim for a pedestrian accident in New Orleans will depend on the nature and severity of your damages. If you can firmly establish liability for the accident, the at-fault party will be liable for any and all economic losses you suffered, future economic damages resulting from the accident, and for the pain and suffering you experienced. Your attorney can help you assess the full potential value of your claim.
In a pedestrian accident case, pain and suffering can be calculated based on multiple factors. Generally, the most important factors to consider when assessing fair pain and suffering compensation would be the overall severity of the injury, whether the victim suffered long-term or permanent harm and the anticipated length of their recovery time. Your New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer can help you maximize this aspect of your case award.
You should hire a New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer because you are significantly more likely to succeed with your case when you have legal counsel you trust advising you. Your attorney can gather the evidence needed to prove liability for the accident, uncover all the various damages you are eligible to claim, and guide you through the auto insurance claim filing process. They will also be invaluable for success with a personal injury suit.
The Blake Jones Law Firm has successfully helped many injured pedestrians in the New Orleans area with their recovery efforts, and we are ready to apply this experience to your upcoming case. You have a relatively short time in which to build and file your case, so it is important to connect with trustworthy legal counsel as quickly as possible after your accident. Contact us today to schedule a free case review with a New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer.