If you were injured in a pedestrian accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation.
Los Angeles is definitely a car-centric city. Yet there are still many people who commute on foot to work, shop, or play. Whether you are walking a mile or just a block, if your route takes you across one of the roughly 40,000 intersections in Los Angeles, you may be taking your life into your hands. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Los Angeles is second only to New York City in the average number of annual pedestrian fatalities.
It is very important to obey traffic signals when walking along LA’s roadways, not only for your own safety but to ensure that if you do become injured in a pedestrian accident, you will have a leg to stand on when it comes to preparing a personal injury case against the driver who hit you.
For example, just a few days ago a man was struck and killed at an intersection in Fullerton CA. According to eyewitnesses, he was crossing against the light. His reckless disobedience of traffic signals means that he was more than likely the party who caused the accident, leaving any surviving family members without even the comfort of a wrongful death claim.
However, in the case of pedestrian accidents caused by another party’s reckless or negligent driving, victims may be eligible for some of the following types of compensation:
Lost income: You deserve to be compensated for the amount of wages you would have earned had you been able to work instead of sitting at home or in the hospital laid up with an injury. If your injury was severe enough to permanently impair your ability to work in your chosen field or position, you may also be able to petition for compensation for future lost income.
Immediate medical costs: In most cases, you will have to get medical care before you hire an attorney. It is very important to document the extent of your injuries with pictures before and after treatment and also keep records of all the expenses you have incurred. This documentation will play an important role in building a strong case for compensation.
Future medical costs: If your injury is likely to result in ongoing medical costs, you should definitely take this into account when building your case. Your pedestrian accident attorney can help by connecting you with experts who can provide reasonable and reliable estimates of future medical costs. This would include not only hospital visits but also expenses like physical therapy or home nursing services.
Pain & suffering: In addition to physical pain and suffering, this could also include mental or emotional anguish.
If you believe you deserve compensation for a pedestrian accident that was not your fault, contact Michael A. Kahn now.
