The Inner Workings of a Law Firm

Why Pedestrians Can And Should Sue For Personal Injury

14 July 2015 by Jo Rodriquez

In any city of any size, there's always the chance that a pedestrian will fall victim to an accident. Cars hit pedestrians, probably more than most people think. However, many of these pedestrians do not pursue personal injury cases. Some may even stand up, brush themselves off, and move on. This is a mistake for many reasons.

The Injuries to Pedestrians are Usually More Severe

Pedestrians are far more vulnerable than anybody else. They have little to no protection and usually take the full force when a driver strikes them in any way. Because of that, pedestrian injuries are usually far more severe.

Sometimes those injuries aren't immediately apparent. That's why it's important for pedestrians to still go through the process of filing a report, seeing a doctor, and speaking to a lawyer, like any other accident victim.

There are Laws to Protect Pedestrians

There are laws in place specifically to protect pedestrians from motorists. If you're on foot, on a bike, on a skateboard, or using any other device other than a motor vehicle, you have protections. You have protection against negligence just as you would in any other situation.

This is important to remember because you may think that you're in the wrong. For example, if you're crossing at an intersection, and a driver turns and strikes you, it's not your fault. Even if the car had the right to make the turn, it doesn't excuse the driver from failing to see you.

If you stand up and feel fine, you shouldn't let the driver off the hook. They were still negligent. And even if you feel okay, it doesn't mean that you are okay.

If you walk away from that situation without at least gathering some information or reporting it, then you can forfeit your chance to pursue a personal injury case. What happens when time goes by and you find out that your recurring back pains all started the day of the accident?

Pedestrians Need to Use the System

Personal injury cases are not get-rich-quick schemes. They exist specifically to provide you with the means to care for yourself, see to your injuries, and generally help you get on with life after an injury. Many people avoid personal injury claims because they think they are a hassle, or that others will perceive them as greedy.

Don't let preconceived notions get in the way of you seeking the compensation you deserve for your accident. Tort law exists for people to take advantage of. You should not have to pay for expensive medical care, or miss days of work because of someone else's negligence.

If you're in an accident with a motorist, or anybody else for that matter, you need to speak to a personal injury attorney, like Prediletto, Halpin, Scharnikow & Nelson, P.S.. Even a mild accident can come back to haunt you later. That's why you need to take action immediately.

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