Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable potential victims of a car accident. They have no protection at all should they take a hit from a motor vehicle, or even a bicycle or scooter. Pedestrians rarely escape crashes without sustaining serious injuries, and in the worst cases, they lose their lives to the impact or effects of that impact.
A Pahrump personal injury lawyer from H&P Law can help pedestrians injured in accidents. We can also help if someone you love has been killed in a pedestrian accident. A Pahrump pedestrian accident lawyer from our team will review your situation and present you with your best legal options. Our goal is to get you justice and compensation for your accident-caused losses.
A Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Pahrump Will Protect Your Interests
Pedestrians are vulnerable on the road, and injured pedestrians remain vulnerable in the aftermath of an accident. Insurance companies for the vehicle operator involved in the crash may reach out quickly with a settlement offer. The injured victims, in pain and emotionally spent, often accept the offer with a sense of relief. That relief soon turns to regret once the victim realizes the full extent of their losses.
Once accepted, there is no going back on that settlement agreement, and victims are left without the resources they need to cover their costs or stabilize their financial futures. Securing representation from a personal injury lawyer with the H&P Law team as soon as possible after an accident helps injured pedestrians protect themselves from losing the settlement they truly deserve.
A Pahrump pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm will handle all discussions with the at-fault party’s representatives and will not agree to an offer until fully assessing your losses. We will only accept offers that meet your needs and approval. If the other side does not play fair or offer a reasonable amount, our courtroom-proven trial attorneys will be more than ready to fight for what you deserve at trial.
Pedestrian Accidents in Nevada
Though walking is good for your health and the environment, careless drivers make it a risky activity. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report on pedestrian safety states that 7,522 pedestrian fatalities and 67,000 pedestrian injuries occurred nationwide over a recent year. Its “Traffic Safety Facts” data shows increases in pedestrian deaths and injuries from one recent year to the next.
When broken down, the numbers represent a pedestrian death about every 71 minutes and an injury every nine minutes. Regarding total traffic crashes, pedestrian deaths represent 17% of crash-related deaths and 2% of crash–related injuries. Additionally, Nevada’s pedestrian crash data shows that there were 383 fatal pedestrian crashes causing 393 pedestrian deaths over a recent five-year period.
When evaluating pedestrian traffic fatalities by state, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that there has been a 48% increase in pedestrian fatalities over the past decade. In state rankings for deaths per 100,000 people, Nevada ranked 3rd from the top, with a rate of 1.9.
Common Factors That Contribute to Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians face numerous potential hazards when they go out for a walk. Driver negligence is the most common contributor to these types of accidents. Drivers may fail to use caution and remain alert while driving, especially in areas of high foot traffic. Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Speeding
- Aggressive or reckless driving behaviors
- Distractions, including cell phone use
- Alcohol or drug impairment
- Driver fatigue
- Driver failure to accommodate for poor weather, road conditions, or visibility
Pedestrians may also contribute to accidents if they fail to remain alert to traffic or if they cross the road in areas without crosswalks. Similar to drivers, intoxicated pedestrians and those focused on their phones can put themselves at a greater risk of an accident. Drivers and pedestrians must work together to avoid accidents by exercising caution and staying aware of their surroundings.
What Evidence to Collect After a Pedestrian Accident in Pahrump
After a pedestrian accident, it is important to begin collecting evidence. This not only supports your claim, but it also shows the actions of the other party and the effect their actions had on you. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be and the faster it can be resolved. There are a few key types of evidence that you should gather, and they include:
- A copy of the police report
- The driver’s insurance information
- Photos and videos of your injuries and the scene of the accident
- Medical test results, treatment plans, medications, and bills
- Witness statements
- Expert testimonies (if applicable)
- Journals documenting your suffering
- Statements from family, friends, or mental health professionals
By collecting ample evidence, you can provide a comprehensive picture of the accident, what you have suffered, and what you need to recover. It can help you secure compensation and justice by connecting the other party’s actions to your losses. Evidence also helps your lawyer fight for you more effectively.
Your Pahrump Pedestrian Accident Attorney Will Establish the At-Fault Party’s Negligence
Victims only collect compensation by proving responsibility in pedestrian accidents and showing that the party’s negligence caused the accident, leading to the victims’ injuries and losses. This requires evidence, and an experienced attorney will investigate the accident and work to compile convincing, thorough evidence. The team at H&P Law will leave no avenues of valuable evidence unexplored.
For compensation to sufficiently cover your losses, you have to know their value. An attorney will conduct an assessment of your accident-related costs, future care needs, earning capabilities, long-term physical and emotional effects, changed quality of life, and more when calculating the value of your case. We won’t underestimate your losses or overlook any details in our fight to get you financial justice.
Your attorney will also handle all legalities. Injury victims in Nevada have 2 years to file an injury claim with the courts under NRS § 11.190(4)(e). Though our team will work toward an out-of-court settlement to get you compensated quickly, a prompt partnership gives us time to file within this deadline should we need to take your case to court.
Comparative Negligence
Victims are allowed to seek damages as long as they are not more than 50% to blame for the accident, according to NRS § 41.141. If they meet these requirements but hold some fault, their compensation will be reduced by the same percentage as their level of fault. Your pedestrian accident attorney in Pahrump will challenge accusations of unwarranted blame used to increase your fault and lower your settlement.
Wrongful Death Claims
When you are injured as a pedestrian, you pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. If your loved one is killed in a pedestrian accident, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Pahrump can work with you through the Nevada wrongful death claims process.
According to NRS § 41.085, heirs or a personal representative can recover special damages, such as medical expenses incurred by the accident that required care before the victim’s death. They can also recover funeral expenses and/or penalties, “including but not limited to exemplary or punitive damages.”
Types of Compensation That Can Be Recovered in a Pedestrian Accident in Pahrump
Pedestrian accidents can create thousands of dollars worth of medical expenses and other losses. These expenses can interfere with not only getting the care that you need, but also your ability to regain control of your life and finances. That is where compensation from a pedestrian accident claim can help. It allows you to recover several losses so you can move forward with confidence. These may include:
- Various medical expenses, both current and ongoing
- Lost wages or earning capacity
- Personal belongings
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD, anxiety, depression
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of companionship or consortium
To gain an accurate understanding of what you can recover, it is essential to work with an experienced lawyer who can accurately determine what your case is worth. They will also be your strongest advocate as they negotiate the terms of your settlement.
Hire a Pahrump Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
H&P Law does not take your trust lightly. When you put your case in our hands, we honor your trust and consider it a privilege to fight for you and help you rebuild your life.
Partnering with H&P Law means you don’t have to settle for less. We’ll give you high-quality representation and the most favorable case outcome possible. Schedule a free consultation with a Pahrump pedestrian accident lawyer today.
