When pedestrians are struck by vehicles, they can suffer critical and debilitating injuries. After your pedestrian accident, you may be left feeling overwhelmed by the extent of your injuries and unsure of how to make the liable party pay.
Fortunately, when you contact a Prosper pedestrian accident lawyer at Underwood Law Office, you can take back control of your life. Contact our office for a free consultation today and find out more about what to expect from the pedestrian accident claims process in Prosper.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accident injuries can take countless forms. When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, the injuries are often catastrophic and life-altering. However, it should be noted that you do not need to have suffered a debilitating injury to have grounds for a claim.
Your injuries must have had an impact on your life, but they do not necessarily need to be catastrophic. With that in mind, we see some types of pedestrian accident injuries more often than others in Prosper. Some of these injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, soft tissue injuries, contusions, head injuries, and neck injuries
- Whiplash, road rash, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, herniated discs, and quadriplegia
- Third-degree burns, sepsis, deep lacerations, loss of limbs, abrasions, and broken or fractured bones
- Emotional trauma including the development of generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, and depression
These are only a few of the different pedestrian accident injuries you may be able to sue for. If you have been diagnosed with another type of injury we did not list above, you may still have grounds for a claim. Do not hesitate to contact our office to explore your legal options further.
For a free legal consultation with a pedestrian accidents lawyer serving Prosper, call (972) 535-6377
How do Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Prosper?
Pedestrian accidents can occur in many ways. Generally, when a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, it is due to one of the following:
Hazardous Roads
Municipalities and government agencies, among other parties, have a responsibility to ensure the roadways are safe at all times. This includes making sure that road construction zones are secured, street signs are replaced or repaired, street lamps are replaced or repaired, and the roads are generally safe for all drivers. When they fail to do so, they can cause devastating pedestrian accidents.
Negligent Driving
All drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicle safely to ensure their own safety, that of other drivers on the roadways, and that of pedestrians and bicyclists. Unfortunately, distracted, drunk, drowsy, drugged, reckless, and aggressive driving are far more common than you might think.
Defective Motor Vehicle Parts
When auto parts malfunction in any way, it could make it impossible for drivers to avoid hitting pedestrians. Some of the more common types of auto part malfunctions include those involving airbag inflators, fuel tanks, tires, ignition switches, braking systems, Wiring systems, and seatbelts.
Prosper Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (972) 535-6377
Texas Personal Injury Laws You Should Know
There are several personal injury laws in Texas you may want to be aware of as you attempt to move forward with your pedestrian accident insurance and civil claims. Some of the most notable include:
- The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas is just two years. This is a limited amount of time to recover compensation in your pedestrian accident claim. If your lawsuit is not filed before the statute of limitations runs out, you lose your chance to have your case heard by the Texas civil courts.
- Texas is a fault state for auto insurance and car accident purposes. Here, you will file a claim with the liable party’s insurer instead of your own. The person or party responsible for causing your injuries will be ordered to cover your damages in full.
Click to contact our Prosper Personal Injury Lawyers today
Compensable Damages in Pedestrian Accident Claims
Pedestrians have the right to be compensated for each and every loss they endure as a result of their pedestrian accident and resulting injuries. Compensable damages refer to the types of losses you have the right to recover.
These are often categorized as economic damages or non-economic damages to ensure every loss is taken into consideration. Examples of economic or financial losses include:
- The cost of your medical care and treatment
- Future medical expenses
- Increased auto or health insurance premiums
- The costs of hiring childcare providers
- Expenses associated with household maintenance
- Property damage repairs
- Lost income and loss of future earnings
Non-economic damages do not have a monetary value. It will be your pedestrian accident lawyer’s responsibility to quantify your non-economic damages to ensure you are compensated fairly. Examples of non-economic damages you could be awarded include:
- Reduced quality of life
- Reputational damages
- Disfiguring skin scars
- Physical suffering and chronic pain
- Mental distress
- Loss of consortium
Pedestrian accident victims may be able to recover punitive damages if the courts find the defendants’ actions intolerable. However, this is rare.
You should never expect to be awarded punitive damages, but if you are, they could greatly increase the amount of your injury settlement. This is because they are designed to punish the defendant beyond your compensable damages.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
What to Expect from the Insurer
Filing a claim with the liable party’s insurance company is one of the most common ways to recover compensation following a pedestrian accident. However, dealing with the insurance company may prove to be more challenging than you thought.
Insurance adjusters are tasked with going through insurance claims line by line to determine whether the insurance company is obligated to pay out on the claim. If there is any opportunity to deny your claim, the insurance adjuster will find it.
If you hope to protect yourself, be sure to have your personal injury lawyer negotiate with the insurance company for you. This way, you can be sure fault is accurately assessed in your case.
Reach Out to a Pedestrian Accident Attorney for Help Today
Your pedestrian accident injuries may have affected every aspect of your life. You should not be forced to deal with the implications of someone else’s negligence.
Make them pay when you contact a Prosper pedestrian accident lawyer at Underwood Law Office. Our firm proudly offers confidential consultations to injury victims across Prosper in nearby cities. Claim your free case review when you call our office or complete our quick contact form.
Call or text (972) 535-6377 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form