Why you should get an attorney after a pedestrian accident

Although you are not legally required to work with a car accident lawyer Fort Lauderdale after a pedestrian accident, it is a good way to protect yourself and to make sure that you get the financial compensation that you may deserve. 

For many accident victims, this is the first time they have considered bringing a personal injury case. This usually means they need to research how the process works, where to file their lawsuit, who may be at fault, and how much compensation they should demand. A Fort Myers car accident lawyer from our firm can assist you with every step so that you can put your whole focus and energy into getting back on your feet. 

A lawyer will investigate your case 

One of the first steps that a lawyer from our firm will take is investigating your case to determine who is at fault for your injuries. This involves gathering key pieces of evidence to show that the person who hit you was negligent. A few common types of evidence that your attorney will attempt to locate include:

• Eyewitness statements

• Police reports

• Videos or photographs

• Inspections of the site where the accident happened

• Inspections of the vehicle involved in the accident

• Copies of your medical records describing your injuries

Finding all of this evidence and making sure it is stored safely can be overwhelming for many accident victims. There are also rules to consider regarding what type of evidence is admissible during a trial, which can affect how you go about gathering evidence.

Next, your personal injury lawyer Fort Myers will make sure that your lawsuit is filed within the statute of limitations. For a personal injury claim in Florida, the victim has four years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11.

A lawyer will determine who is liable for your injuries

Although some accidents are straightforward when it comes to who is at fault, there are some situations where multiple parties may be to blame for your injuries. A common example is a situation where the person who hit you was working at the time of the accident. 

If a delivery driver was distracted while driving and hit you while you were crossing the street on a crosswalk, for example, then you may be able to seek compensation from the delivery driver as well as their employer. 

Another situation where special rules regarding insurance may apply is rideshare accidents. If you were hit by a rideshare driver, a lawyer from our firm can help you hold the rideshare company and driver responsible. We will review your situation and investigate the parties involved to make sure that you hold every party liable.

A lawyer will help you establish liability

After you locate evidence and figure out who is responsible for your injuries, you will need to prove that the defendants acted negligently. This means that they failed to use reasonable care and skill at the time of the accident and that this failure was the direct cause of your injuries.

Proving negligence often requires working with experts like accident reconstructionists to show how the defendant was acting carelessly. You may also need to prove that the defendant was intoxicated at the time of the crash, talking on their cell phone, or violating a traffic law. A lawyer from our firm can use all of the available evidence to make the strongest argument possible that the defendants breached the standard of care.

A lawyer will help you calculate your financial damages

Most injury victims are concerned about getting compensation to recover their bills and expenses. It can be difficult to know what you are entitled to claim in the lawsuit and whether you are getting as much as you may deserve. If you decide to pursue a settlement with the person who hit you or an insurance company, it can also be stressful to figure out whether they are making a fair offer and whether you should accept it.

Your Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney can help you calculate the damages that you may be entitled to receive and assist you with negotiating for a settlement that works for you. 

A few categories of damages that pedestrian accident victims commonly seek in a lawsuit include:

• Medical bills

• Lost wages

• Estimated ongoing medical care needs

• Reduced quality of life

• Pain and suffering

You may have other damages that can be claimed in your lawsuit. Speaking with a pedestrian accident injury attorney can help you make sure that you are compensated fairly for your injuries.