Pedestrian Injury Lawyer in Shreveport / Bossier

Our Bossier City pedestrian accident team at the Law Offices of Michael J. Vergis understands the physical, financial, and emotional toll that a personal injury or wrongful death can have on accident victims and their families. Bossier City personal injury attorney Michael J. Vergis fights to make sure you obtain the greatest quality care and enough money to deal with your injuries and the accompanying problems that a negligent motorist has caused you.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents occur more frequently than you may believe, and they frequently result in serious injuries such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and wrongful death. 

According to the most recent data from a national survey published by the Insurance Journal, Louisiana is the fourth most dangerous state for pedestrians. Better crosswalks and sidewalks would make walking safer in the state, according to the analysis, but pedestrian risks have been rising at an alarming rate worldwide in recent years. Distracted car driving accidents are rising, and pedestrians are expected to be disproportionately affected. That’s because they are far less visible to distracted drivers who are focused on their phones rather than the road. Additionally, due to Louisiana’s high prevalence of drunk driving automobile accidents, pedestrians are in danger of serious injury or death if a drunk driver fails to recognize an impending collision or avoid it.

How Pedestrian Accidents Happen

When drivers fail to keep a close eye on the road and watch for pedestrians, the consequences can be disastrous. Here are some of the most common causes of pedestrian-car collisions:

• The driver was not paying attention or had his or her attention diverted by a cell phone.
• Failure to account for upstream and downstream traffic flows is one of the design flaws in crosswalk placements.
• At crosswalks, automobiles and bicycles fail to yield to pedestrians.
• At crossroads, vehicles turning without looking both ways.
• Noncompliance with posted speed restrictions.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

While pedestrian accidents are significantly more common in cities than they are in rural settings, they can also happen on country roads. Winding roads with poor visibility and fast speeds provide the ideal conditions for a serious collision.

Remember that the sooner you file your claim with the assistance of a pedestrian injury lawyer, the better.

Could the Crosswalk Be the Problem?

In some cases, the driver is not the sole cause of a pedestrian accident. A pedestrian accident can also be caused by the location of the crosswalk and the road design. Pedestrian safety must be considered by those who construct and maintain public crosswalks. If they fail to do so and the crosswalk becomes dangerous, responsible individuals may be held liable. As a result, engineering firms and governmental bodies are examples of potential defendants in crosswalk location negligence cases. Allow a pedestrian injury lawyer from our office to assist you in determining who is to blame if you were injured while crossing the street.

Pedestrians Hit By Cars Can Suffer Serious Injuries

Because the human body cannot survive the injuries inflicted by a collision with a car, pedestrian accidents are often fatal. The impact of thousands of pounds of metal with the fragile human form can result in serious injuries, such as:

• Deep wounds (lacerations) and bruising (contusions), as well as organ damage.
• Head injuries such as concussions or the more serious traumatic brain injury (TBI) or coma.
• Eye injuries and vision loss can occur as a result of facial injuries.
• Paralysis or other loss of bodily function due to spinal cord injury.
• Orthopedic injuries including broken bones or injuries to other areas of the musculoskeletal system.

Pedestrians Have the Right-of-Way in Louisiana Crosswalks

Crossing the street at a crosswalk is the safest option for pedestrians. However, crosswalks are also the sites of the majority of pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians must respect traffic signals and cross only when the light is green. Louisiana law (RS 32:212) requires drivers to cede the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks when traffic-control signals are not present or operational.

However, when an oncoming car is too close for the driver to yield in a timely manner, pedestrians are prohibited from leaving the curb and walking or running into the street. Also, pedestrians do not have the right-of-way to cross the street if a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing is available. 

Sometimes a driver comes to a complete stop to allow a pedestrian to cross the street, but a car approaching from behind passes the stopped vehicle and hits the victim. A driver who does this is accountable to the accident victim or the victim’s family for any damages caused, including physical injury or wrongful death. Before whipping around a stopped automobile, drivers should consider the reason for the stop and the possibility of a person crossing the road.

Who Causes Vehicle-Pedestrian Accidents?

A distracted driver is responsible for the majority of vehicle-pedestrian collisions. Making a phone call, texting, adjusting the radio, eating, or concentrating on the passengers within the vehicle can all cause a driver to be distracted. There is also the driver who is not distracted, but who disregards a traffic sign, resulting in a vehicle-pedestrian collision. Finally, driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be a key factor in vehicle-pedestrian collisions. 

What Types of Injuries Occur in a Vehicle-Pedestrian Accident?

When a pedestrian is involved in a car collision, the pedestrian frequently sustains serious, and oftentimes, life-threatening injuries. The average weight of most automobiles on the road is 5,000 pounds. Even at modest speeds, the impact of a vehicle striking a pedestrian could be fatal. Possible injuries a pedestrian will sustain if hit by a motor vehicle include broken legs, cuts, bruises, and abrasions, brain injuries, spinal injuries, disk herniation and other back injuries, internal injuries to the spleen, liver, kidneys, or other organs, and even death. A seasoned pedestrian accident lawyer can help you determine what types of damages you deserve after suffering injuries caused by a negligent driver.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover from my Pedestrian Accident?

Pedestrians, like drivers, have the right to seek compensation for injuries sustained as a result of someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or inattention. The perpetrator may be liable to the injured pedestrian for medical expenses, both current and future lost income, physical and emotional pain and suffering, loss of the enjoyment of life, and any other types of damages that can be recovered.

In some cases, a pedestrian who has been injured may be eligible to claim punitive damages from the driver of the vehicle. Punitive damages are typically granted to an accident victim in order to punish the culprit. These types of damages are commonly associated with pedestrian accidents caused by intoxicated or impaired drivers. An experienced pedestrian injury lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve. 

What Types of Compensation Are Available for Injured Pedestrians?

Judges may order the reckless driver’s insurance company to pay the pedestrian accident victim to compensate them for the harm he or she sustained, just as they do in all other personal injury cases. Of course, no amount of money can compensate for lost health or time, but this court-ordered compensation is designed to help you make up for your losses, which include the following:

Medical Expenses: Judges have the authority to order the responsible driver’s insurance to cover all of your medical expenses, including hospital bills you have already paid and future care costs.

Compensation for Lost Wages: If a pedestrian accident causes you to miss work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages.

Loss of Property: Judges can order that you be reimbursed for anything that was lost or destroyed as a result of the accident – from the laptop in your backpack to the watch on your wrist.

Pain and Suffering: Insurance companies may be forced to pay for your physical, mental, and emotional suffering. For example, many pedestrian accident victims suffer anxiety when walking in traffic. After a traumatic injury, it’s not uncommon to be diagnosed with PTSD. The law holds those who are careless liable.

Loss of Consortium: Spouses may be paid for the loss of personal relationships they once had with lost loved ones when a pedestrian is killed or gravely injured.

When these types of compensation are added up, the total value is frequently much larger than the personal injury victim anticipated. That is why, before attempting to settle your own case, you should consult with a Louisiana pedestrian injury attorney. Your lawyer will be able to tell you how much your case is worth and will fight to get you the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, get the justice you deserve. You have the right to seek compensation for your medical expenses and other losses. With more than 20 years of experience representing accident victims like you pursue personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, pedestrian accident attorney Michael J. Vergis is the obvious choice to handle your case. To request a free consultation, please (318) 698-3724.