Villa Park Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

California’s park trails and suburban sidewalks are a walker’s paradise. But when these simple strolls turn into narrow roads and busy intersections, your next step could put you in the emergency room. Every year, thousands of pedestrians are injured by distracted, reckless, or intoxicated motorists. If you were hurt on the road, turn to our Villa Park pedestrian accident attorneys to discuss your options. We are ready to take your calls, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to find out more about our free case reviews. 

Common Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Case

Most types of losses in a pedestrian accident claim are categorized as “compensatory”. In simpler terms, these damages are intended to reimburse the plaintiff for any losses stemming from the accident. If you were injured in a collision, a damages award should help you feel “whole” again—at least financially. As such, your lawyer will attempt to attach a price tag to the financial impact of this traumatic event.  While many types of damages are easy to estimate—your medical bills or repair costs—some losses can be challenging to iron out. For instance, as a plaintiff you have a right to seek compensation for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. However, there are no invoices for the psychological effects of your injuries, so your attorney will need to rely on other methods to determine the value of such losses. Below are a few examples of common types of damages in a personal injury case:

• Lost Income: From your medical expenses to your repair bills to other costs, an accident can deal a significant blow to your finances. In a cruel twist of fate, you may be unable to work due to your injuries, leaving you with no way to start chipping away at this mountain of debt. Fortunately, these lost wages could be factored into the potential recovery. A damages award for lost income can include both compensation for paychecks that—due to your injuries—you’ve missed in the past and are likely to lose in the future. Your attorney might want to see evidence of lost income such as tax returns, letters from your employer, and bank statements.

• Diminished Earning Capacity: While some victims can return to work once their injuries have healed, others—particularly those who have sustained permanent injuries or disabilities—may never be able to work again. If your condition is likely to inhibit your ability to return to work, you may be entitled to compensation for reduced income-earning capacity. Your lawyer might consult with various financial experts, such as vocational experts and economists, to map out your projected career trajectory and approximate the value of such losses.

• Medical Expenses: Seeking treatment in the U.S. can be incredibly expensive. Every trip to the emergency room, procedure, consultation, prescription, and hospital meal is tracked and billed meticulously from day one. By the time you’ve recovered, you may have incurred thousands of dollars in medical bills. If you suffered a catastrophic injury, that total could rise to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most personal injury settlements or verdicts will not only include reimbursement for care you’ve received thus far but may also include compensation for the estimated cost of treatment you will—due to the accident—likely need in the future.

• Property Loss: If personal belongings such as your laptop, smartphone, or even your clothing, were damaged in the accident, you may be able to seek compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing these items.

Elements of a Strong Pedestrian Accident Claim

From filling out forms to collecting evidence to responding to requests from the insurer, pursuing a claim can be a time-consuming task. Before starting this process, you will want to know whether you have the makings of a convincing case. However, every case is unique, and as such, no attorney can guarantee you a specific outcome for your claim. However, here are a few signs that your case might have what it takes to succeed:

• You Sought Immediate Medical Treatment: Visiting the doctor after a pedestrian accident is a crucial step that can help expedite your recovery and improve your chances of obtaining a personal injury settlement. However, if it appears that you weren’t seriously hurt, you may think that scheduling a doctor’s appointment is unnecessary. Delaying a diagnosis could lead to a potentially life-threatening condition—such as brain trauma—going undetected. It may also make it more difficult to obtain a financial award. For example, if you failed to seek immediate treatment, the insurer may assert that your injuries are not as serious as your attorney claims as you did not require urgent care. As such, it’s best to visit the doctor immediately after leaving the accident scene.

• You Avoided Social Media: After a pedestrian accident, it’s likely your emotions will be running high. After all, a sudden accident can leave you feeling confused, frightened, and in considerable pain. In the dark days ahead, you may be tempted to log onto social media to seek guidance and support from this in your circles. However, your digital discussions could sink your claim. Many insurers now monitor claimants’ social media feeds as part of their routine claims investigations. Typically, they will be looking for any posts—pictures included—that could be used as evidence to dispute aspects of your case. At HPIL, our lawyers might advise you to disable your social media accounts while your claim is pending so that you don’t post something that could hurt your chances of success.

• You Followed Your Doctor’s Orders: As a claimant, you have a responsibility to take sufficient steps to mitigate damages. Simply put, you should never take any actions that would aggravate your condition or cause your recovery to stall. If it emerges that your own negligence contributed to your damages in any way, you may be held liable for some of your losses. As such, you should always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions as deviating from your treatment plan could have a detrimental effect on your recovery.

Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to Connect with a Villa Park Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Whether you were injured on a bus, train, or while driving, our attorneys might be able to assist with your claim. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS or click through to our contact form HERE to pencil in a free case review.