A Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case
While walking is certainly a cost-effective means of transportation, it almost always comes with a set of dangers. Pedestrian accidents are considered one of the most dangerous types of accidents involving a motor vehicle. Due to the sheer size of automobiles, pedestrians, more often than not, suffer the most injuries or worse, death. Pedestrian fatalities, in fact, make up the vast majority of motor vehicle deaths in the United States, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Even though improvements are being made for vehicle safety and for the safety of motorists, pedestrians steadily remain at a high risk of being fatally injured when crossing any roadway. According to Wyoming State Law, all motor vehicle drivers must yield to pedestrians when they enter a marked roadway or crosswalk. Those who neglect to follow these state laws run the risk of hitting and potentially injuring or killing an innocent pedestrian.
With a Wyoming pedestrian accident lawyer on your side, The Advocates will build you the strongest personal injury case possible and serve as an ally to help obtain just compensation for your pain and suffering. Our pedestrian accident attorneys will make sure you get the recovery you are owed.
How Can The Advocates Help With My Pedestrian Accident Case?
Your personal injury claim could be worth a lot more money than what your insurance company will lead you to believe. According to the Insurance Research Council, accident victims who hire a personal injury attorney almost always receive 3.5 times more in settlement than those who are not represented by a lawyer. Here are the top 5 reasons why you should hire The Advocates to build your injury claim:
- The Advocates will determine liability for your injuries and losses
- The Advocates will walk you through the steps of filing a personal injury claim
- The Advocates will negotiate with insurance adjusters for you
- The Advocates advise medical treatment and offer referrals to doctors, chiropractors, or other clinical specialists to help pave the way to a smooth recovery process for you
"Hiring The Advocates was the best move I could have made after my accident. They were very professional and made me feel confident my case would go smoothly. They really put me at ease. I would recommend them to anyone!" - Robert S.
Why You Need an Accident Attorney
Hiring an experienced car accident attorney is the best way to prevent the insurance companies from taking advantage of you. Indeed, multiple studies have shown that hiring an attorney to represent your case can increase the value of your case by up to 5X than if you try to settle on your own.
Don’t let the insurance companies pay you less than your case is worth. Hire an Advocate and make them pay what you are lawfully owed. Your case deserves an Advocate!
The Advocates Accident Claim Process
Step 1: Investigate the Accident
The first steps The Advocates will take is to investigate your accident. Our attorneys do this by obtaining a police report about your accident, examining any photos or videos of the crash scene, and speaking to any relevant witnesses. Once we have established liability, we will begin to build your injury claim.
Step 2: Build Your Claim
Building your car accident injury claim is one of the most time-consuming steps in the entire process. Our staff must wait until you are finished treatment for your injuries before we can compile a comprehensive medical record of the injuries you have suffered from your accident. This is a timely process so be patient.
Step 3: Negotiate a Settlement
Once you are finished treating your injuries and your medical records have been gathered, your attorney will send out a demand package to the at-fault party’s insurance. Afterwards, negotiations with your attorney will begin. If we are unable to negotiate a fair offer, then you will have the option to file a lawsuit.
Step 4: Litigate If Necessary
Time wise, litigation is the longest step in the claim process, possibly extending the life of your claim one or, even, two years. If you do decide to file a lawsuit, be prepared to potentially appear before a judge and jury.
How are Pedestrian Accidents Defined in Wyoming?
A pedestrian accident involves a person traveling by foot, walking, running, or even sitting, who is struck by a motor vehicle while attempting to cross a roadway. Pedestrian accidents typically occur because of one of the following reasons:
- Driver/or pedestrian was using an electronic device
- Driver failed to properly cross lanes
- Car was too quiet to hear
- Alcohol was involved
- Pedestrian was wearing dark clothing
- Pedestrian crossed at an unmarked crosswalk
If you were injured by a reckless driver for any of the reasons above, then you’ve likely been involved in a pedestrian accident. If you’re not sure who’s responsible for your injuries, you can count on a pedestrian accident lawyer from The Advocates to help you determine liability.
The Most Common Types of Pedestrian Accident Injuries
According to Wyoming Law, Section 31-5-602, drivers are responsible for yielding to all pedestrians crossing at a marked intersection, including roadways, crosswalks, and even parking lots. The reason for this is because most pedestrian accidents involving motor vehicles are almost always tragic. These are the following most common types of injuries caused by a pedestrian accident:
- Serious head injuries (concussions, skull fractures, contusion)
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Deep cuts, minor scrapes, and bruises
- Sprained or torn muscles
Depending on the severity of your injuries, your pedestrian accident claim could be worth a significant amount of money. But, as you know, nothing can truly compensate you for your injuries. Here at The Advocates, our pedestrian accident lawyers will do everything we can to make sure your life is returned to what it once was before the accident.
Safety Tips for You and Your Children
While many external factors can easily put you at risk of being in a pedestrian accident, there are a few safety measures every pedestrian should keep in mind before leaving home:
- Always use the sidewalk when one is available
- If no walkway is available, use the shoulder facing oncoming traffic
- Be alert when using a crosswalk
- Do not use your electronic device when crossing the road
- Do not assume that a driver sees you; always be cautious
- Make eye contact with drivers when walking across the street
- Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections whenever possible
- Be visible and wear bright clothing, especially at night
The Advocates want nothing more than for you and your family to be safe when out walking in public. A few other pedestrian safety measures to consider are everyday factors like weather, time of day, age, drug or alcohol involvement.