When you get into a pedestrian accident, you may face painful, debilitating injuries that require extensive hospitalization and treatment. You will likely miss significant time at work and may be concerned about paying the bills with less income.
Discussing your legal alternatives with a Lancaster pedestrian accident lawyer soon after the incident is a wise move. A personal injury attorney could identify the responsible parties and hold them financially accountable, ensuring you receive appropriate compensation for your injuries.
A human body cannot withstand violent contact from a vehicle without substantial injuries. Even when a pedestrian recovers fully, their convalescence is likely to be long and costly. Every accident is unique, and each body responds differently, but a Lancaster attorney represents pedestrians who have suffered the following severe injuries:
Even less severe injuries, like damage to the soft tissues of the neck, shoulder, or back, can be painful and disabling.
The psychological trauma of a pedestrian accident can be extreme. An injured person might suffer anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a pedestrian accident.
The state requires everyone who registers a vehicle to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which covers the registered owner and the members of their household. When the pedestrian or one of their household members owns a vehicle registered in the state, their PIP would cover the pedestrian’s injury. When no one in the pedestrian’s household has PIP coverage, the driver’s PIP would cover them.
However, PIP coverage limits are low, and a pedestrian’s medical bills are usually substantial. The pedestrian can seek compensation for their expenses that exceed the PIP coverage limits by filing a claim against the negligent parties that contributed to the collision.
The driver who hit the pedestrian is likely at fault, but others might have contributed to the incident. Depending on the pedestrian crash circumstances, a Lancaster attorney might file claims against a vehicle manufacturer, crosswalk design firm, local government responsible for road and street light maintenance, and anyone else who might have had a role. When a driver was intoxicated when the incident occurred, the establishment that served them, or a social host if the driver was under 18, could have liability.
Anyone seeking compensation for injuries suffered in a pedestrian accident has only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, according to 42 Pennsylvania Statutes Annotated § 5524. Missing the deadline could mean losing the right to sue.
When a child is hurt in a pedestrian accident, their parent or guardian could sue on their behalf within two years of the incident. The law allows the child to sue up to two years after their 18th birthday, but a pedestrian crash lawyer in Lancaster would usually recommend against delay.
When a local government or government agency is potentially responsible, quick action is critical. An injured person must provide an official notice of claim before bringing a lawsuit, and the timeframe for submitting the notice could be as short as six months after the incident.
A pedestrian accident can cause tremendous suffering and substantial financial hardship. The people responsible for causing the accident owe compensation for your expenses and suffering. Get the compensation you deserve with a Lancaster pedestrian accident lawyer. You have only a short time to act, so schedule a consultation today.