Since opening OnderLaw in 2002, our legal team has recovered over $3 billion for accident victims. If you suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, you might be entitled to financial compensation and should have a dedicated and experienced personal injury attorney on your side. Pedestrian accidents are traumatic experiences that often result in severe injuries and fatalities. Don’t leave your case in the hands of a firm that only cares about making money. We will keep your interests in mind as we explore all available legal options and seek the justice you deserve.

At OnderLaw , we know the toll an accident can take. Attending doctor’s appointments, dealing with insurance companies, and other responsibilities you’re facing can create an overwhelming situation. You shouldn’t take on your case alone or be forced to pay for the expenses you incurred due to another person’s negligence. Our Chesterfield pedestrian accident lawyers will go to battle for you until we reach the best possible outcome. Call us today for your free consultation.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Driver error typically leads to accidents involving cars, trucks, bicyclists, and even pedestrians. When someone isn’t paying attention to the task at hand, they’re unable to notice hazards or adequately maneuver their vehicle to avoid a crash. Unfortunately, someone crossing the street could pay the ultimate price for another person’s careless actions.

Pedestrian accidents are often the result of:

  • Reckless driving – Reckless driving prevents the ability to maneuver a vehicle safely and avoid causing harm to others. Speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, and disobeying traffic signals are just a few examples of reckless behaviors that can lead to an accident.
  • Distracted driving – Distractions take a person’s focus and attention away from the road ahead. Performing other tasks behind the wheel prevents a driver from noticing someone crossing the street in time to brake or avoid crashing into them.
  • Speeding – Traveling above the speed limit or too fast for conditions requires a greater stopping distance than normal. A pedestrian suddenly appearing in a crosswalk means the driver likely won’t have enough time to prevent an accident.
  • Failure to yield the right of way – It’s vital for motorists to yield when someone else has the right of way. Unfortunately, running a red light or stop sign means anyone with a walk signal could end up in the path of an oncoming vehicle.
  • Driving under the influence – Alcohol and drugs can significantly diminish a person’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. They can cause drowsiness, reduced motor skills, and slowed reaction time.

Contact OnderLaw if any of the above or another cause led to your injuries in a pedestrian accident. We’re familiar with the permanent damage you could face when a driver ignores traffic laws and puts you in danger. No matter how the accident occurred, you can depend on us to fight for the maximum compensation you need to heal and hold the negligent motorist accountable.

Common Injuries Resulting from Pedestrian Accidents

You likely suffered some type of injury if a motorcyclist, car, or truck struck you in an accident. Pedestrians don’t have the same protection as the occupants of vehicles. When you’re out in the open, you’re at the mercy of oncoming drivers. There’s little you can do to avoid getting hurt, and more often than not, the injuries are severe.

The most common injuries associated with pedestrian accidents include:

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Paralysis
  • Head and brain injuries
  • Psychological damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Loss of limb or amputation injury
  • Road rash
  • Lacerations
  • Disfigurement or permanent scarring
  • Disability
  • Death

Fatalities are common in accidents involving pedestrians. Walking across the road or through a parking lot comes with inherent risks. It’s especially dangerous at night when drivers are less likely to notice you. You shouldn’t have to manage the challenges you face alone. OnderLaw will fight by your side for the compensation you need to cover your medical treatment and other expenses.

Take Action Following a Pedestrian Accident

It’s critical that you take immediate action to protect your rights after a pedestrian accident leaves you with injuries. You will need sufficient evidence to prove someone else was at fault, such as medical records and other documentation. The first thing you should do is seek medical treatment at a hospital or with your doctor. They should evaluate your injuries and determine the type of treatment you need to heal.

You should also hire a Chesterfield pedestrian accident lawyer. Insurance companies have experienced defense attorneys at their disposal to ensure they don’t have to pay for the costs you incurred. They might try to shift blame to you and provide evidence that your own actions led to your injuries. Without legal representation, you likely won’t know how to overcome these obstacles. OnderLaw knows how to fight against insurance companies in cases like this. We use aggressive tactics and won’t back down until we win.

While we’re handling the legal aspects of your case, you should regularly follow up with your doctors about your injuries. Those medical records will show a timeline of the treatment you need to heal and your recovery progression. It can also show the expenses associated with physical therapy, surgery, prescription medication, and other bills you were forced to pay.

Possible Compensation Available In a Pedestrian Accident Case

The losses you suffer following an accident can be overwhelming. The physical and emotional harm can lead to lifelong issues requiring ongoing treatment. The future costs of medical care, changes to your home to accommodate your disability, and household assistance can seem impossible to afford. The at-fault driver should be financially responsible for those expenses. Filing a claim with their auto insurance company could potentially compensate for these losses, which could include:

  • Emotional distress
  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages and earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Unfortunately, liability insurance coverage might not be enough to cover everything. Missouri law only requires a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury and $10,000 in property damage. Even if you receive a settlement for the full limits, you might have to pay for any remaining costs yourself if your total losses exceed the coverage amount.

You could file a claim with your auto insurance company to supplement any expenses not covered by the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) is available if the person who causes an accident doesn’t have liability coverage or high enough limits. Even though you weren’t in a car at the time of the accident, you could file a UM claim to pursue compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Property damage

OnderLaw has experience reviewing insurance policies to determine the available coverage and whether it will satisfy an accident victim’s total losses. We can file the claim on your behalf and negotiate with the insurance company for an adequate settlement. If they deny the claim, we can explore other options, including pursuing a lawsuit.

Deaths of Pedestrians in Chesterfield

Wrongful death refers to the occurrence, act, transaction, conduct, or circumstance that would have entitled someone to seek compensation for their damages if they hadn’t died. Specific family members are allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If the pedestrian accident led to your loved one’s death, you could potentially recover the monetary award you need to cover associated expenses and compensate for any suffering endured.

The first person in line to initiate a wrongful death case is a surviving spouse. If there isn’t a surviving spouse, the following parties can file a lawsuit:

  • Child
  • Grandchild
  • Parent
  • Sibling

If no surviving relatives are available, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate could file a wrongful death suit and pursue compensation on behalf of the estate. Potential losses you could seek are:

  • Medical bills related to the deceased’s fatal injury
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Pain and suffering your loved one endured before dying
  • The value of companionship, services, comfort, consortium, counsel, support, and guidance provided to surviving family members
  • Lost wages and benefits the deceased would have earned if they survived

The statute of limitations in Missouri for wrongful death cases is three years. That means you have three years from the date of your relative’s death to file suit. After the deadline passes, you won’t have the opportunity to hold the at-fault driver liable in civil court.

Contact Our Chesterfield Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

The Chesterfield pedestrian accident lawyers of OnderLaw know that no amount of money can make up for what happened to you and your family. However, we hope the financial award we recover can get your life back on track and provide some economic relief as you heal from your injuries. We will treat you as a priority from the moment you step foot in our offices until we resolve your case. During each step of the process, we will offer legal advice, guidance, and support to help you through this devastating time in your life.

If a pedestrian accident caused your injuries, call OnderLaw for a free consultation and let our legal team fight for the justice you rightfully deserve.