Not all traffic accidents are limited to only injuring people in vehicles. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that pedestrian fatalities represent about half of the deaths of car occupant fatalities in traffic accidents. Pedestrian accidents are uniquely devastating because pedestrians have no safety equipment to protect them from the damage that a 3,000-pound vehicle can do upon impact.
At Derek L. Hall, PC, our pedestrian accident lawyer work to hold negligent motorists responsible for their actions while helping victims pursue full and fair compensation for their injuries. We fight relentlessly to help get injured pedestrians the medical care and time they need to recover and get their lives back on track.
The Jackson pedestrian accident lawyers at Derek L. Hall, PC have over 25 years of experience and a successful track record of helping victims just like you. We will protect your legal rights and aggressively fight to achieve your desired results.
To set up a free consultation, call or contact our Jackson office today.
What Are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Jackson, Mississippi?
Some of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents involve:
- Distracted driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Intersection accidents
- Parking lot accidents
- Failure to yield
- Poor visibility due to weather conditions or poor lighting
Drivers have a responsibility to pay attention to their surroundings. That means more than just watching out for other cars. It means being on the lookout for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrians have no seatbelts, no airbags, and no safety equipment of any kind to help keep them safe on the roads. When a 3,000-pound passenger vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the result can be tragic. Pedestrian accidents tend to produce some of the most severe injuries and often result in death.
For survivors, collision-related injuries can be traumatic and life-altering.
Some of the most common injuries in pedestrian accidents tend to include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Paralysis
- Other neck and spinal injuries
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Organ damage
- Road rash
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Wrongful death
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
If you are hurt in a pedestrian accident, the steps that you take after the crash can impact your potential claim. To protect your legal rights and maximize your chances of recovering maximum compensation, consider taking the following actions:
- Call the authorities and seek medical attention
- Document the scene of the crash and injuries the best you can
- Get the contact information of the driver and any potential witnesses on the scene
- Contact an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer
- Follow all medical advice as you recover
- Keep all bills, receipts, and documentation connected to the accident
- Stay off social media and do not talk about the accident with anyone but your attorney
A skilled Jackson, MS pedestrian accident lawyer can help you file a claim, manage communication with the insurer, and prepare a court case, if necessary. An attorney can also advise you on what steps you should take in the weeks and months after the collision to help you recover the maximum compensation possible in your case.
What Happens in the Case of a Fatal Pedestrian Accident?
Unfortunately, not all victims walk away from pedestrian accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that 65 pedestrians lost their lives in car accidents in Mississippi in one recent year. The Mississippi Department of Transportation also estimates that unintentional pedestrian injuries are the fifth-leading cause of injury-related deaths for individuals aged five to 19 in the U.S.
When a pedestrian dies as a result of a vehicle collision, the family of the deceased may be able to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of their loved one. A wrongful death claim is similar to a personal injury claim. Both claims seek to hold a negligent party financially accountable for their negligent or reckless actions. However, in a wrongful death suit, the victim cannot file the suit, so their family must do it on their behalf.
A family filing a wrongful death suit may be able to recover compensation for burial and funeral expenses, lost income, medical expenses, lost benefits, and loss of companionship. Mississippi caps the amount of non-economic damages that a family may recover at $1,000,000. This means the amount of money a family can recover for pain and suffering or loss of companionship cannot exceed that amount.
Compensation Available for Victims of Pedestrian Accidents in Mississippi
Calculating the value of a pedestrian accident claim is not always easy. The amount of money that a victim could be due depends on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of the victim’s injuries.
Generally, victims can attempt to recover money for their economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages account for measurable losses such as medical expenses and lost wages. Non-economic damages are meant to cover subjective quality of life changes, such as pain and suffering.
In general, the victim of a pedestrian accident can typically seek money for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
Before you accept a fast settlement from an insurance company, talk to an experienced pedestrian accident attorney at our law firm. Discussing your case with a skilled Jackson pedestrian accident injury lawyer is the best way to determine the full and fair value of your claim.
Contact Our Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Jackson, MS Today
A pedestrian accident can leave you severely traumatized. You may be forced to cope with devastating injuries, lost time from work, and mounting medical debt. At Derek L. Hall, PC, we believe that the negligent driver who put you in this position should be held accountable for their actions. Our Jackson pedestrian accident attorneys are ready to give you honest and straightforward advice about your potential claim.
At Derek L. Hall, PC, we want to support you through the entire accident claim process. To find out more about how we may be able to help, contact our office today. We offer pedestrian accident victims a free and confidential initial case evaluation.
