After a pedestrian accident, you will likely face significant injuries. Because pedestrians typically have very little protection in the event of an accident, the resulting damages can be catastrophic. You may be entitled to recover compensation if you suffered an injury due to another party’s negligence.
At Vaughan & Vaughan, our pedestrian accident lawyers in Lafayette can help you secure the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Get in touch with our Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer today to explore your avenues for seeking compensation from the responsible party. You can get started today by giving us a call or filling out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
Proving Liability for a Pedestrian Accident
The first thing you must do in order to pursue compensation for a pedestrian accident is to determine who is liable for your accident. While this is fairly straightforward in some cases, more often than not, proving liability can be quite complicated.
There are often a variety of parties that could potentially be at fault for your accident. The best way to get the answers you need concerning who is responsible for your accident is with the help of an experienced Indiana Personal Injury Lawyer and pedestrian accident attorney.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
What Will a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Do for You?
When you hire a pedestrian accident lawyer, they will take many steps to help you recover the money you need. One of the first actions your attorney will take will be to launch an independent investigation into your case with the dual purpose of proving liability and collecting evidence to support your damages claim.
Upon completion of their investigation, your attorney will assess the damages you have suffered and determine the worth of your claim. They will then discuss your options for how to proceed with attempting to recover the compensation you need. Your attorney will then handle all the required paperwork and either file your insurance claim or submit your lawsuit to the court.
If pursuing a lawsuit, your lawyer will then go through all the steps of the pretrial process and represent you in court, if necessary. Throughout the process, your attorney will attempt to negotiate a settlement deal with opposing counsel in the hope of getting you the money you need quicker so that you can move on with your life.
There is no fee
unless you win
How Much Time do You Have to File a Lawsuit in Lafayette?
When considering taking legal action after a pedestrian accident, it is important that you pay attention to the statute of limitations. Indiana gives pedestrian accident victims two years from the time of their accident to file a lawsuit against the liable party. If you don’t get your lawsuit filed on time, you will likely end up losing your right to pursue compensation.
While the statute of limitations can be unforgiving, there are cases where exceptions may apply. If the circumstances of your case result in an exception to the statute of limitations, you could potentially file your lawsuit far after the statute of limitations has run out.
On the other hand, some circumstances could further limit how much time you have to file. A common example is when the liable party is a government agency. In this case, you will likely only have months to file rather than years. By hiring an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Lafayette shortly after your accident, you can help ensure that you protect your right to sue.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Pedestrian in Lafayette?
Following a pedestrian accident, it is essential to determine what damages apply to your case. While some damages are obvious from the start, others are revealed over time. Additionally, you may not realize that you can recover compensation for certain types of losses. Fortunately, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer will know what to look for when assessing your losses.
When looking at the compensation you can recover after a pedestrian accident, there are three primary categories of damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are straightforward. These damages cover all of the losses you suffered as a result of your pedestrian accident that hurt you financially. Common economic damages include:
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Property damage
- Any money paid to accomplish daily tasks you are no longer able to perform
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are far more complex than economic damages. Rather than covering expenses you incurred as a result of your accident, these damages cover the losses that can not be so easily quantified. Common non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are vastly different from the compensatory damages discussed above. These damages are meant to punish the liable party rather than cover a specific loss sustained by the accident victim. Punitive damages are only awarded in extreme cases where the actions of the liable party fall into the category of criminal negligence or willful intent.
Reach Out to an Experienced Team of Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Lafayette
Following a pedestrian accident, it is critical to retain legal counsel from a qualified professional. At Vaughan & Vaughan, our team of pedestrian accident lawyers in Lafayette has been helping our clients get the money they require and deserve for their damages for years. We can help you fight to recover compensation and rebuild your life.
Contact us today by phone or through our online contact form. You can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team who will review your case and advise you of your legal options.
