Memphis Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
As pedestrians, we have every right to expect that drivers will yield the right of way and drive safely near us. When crossing the street at stop signs or crosswalks, when walking along the sidewalk, or when walking in a parking lot, drivers should be watching for us and should always obey the rules of the road. If they fail to do so, severe and possibly fatal accidents can (and unfortunately do) happen. If you or someone you love was struck while walking by a distracted, intoxicated, or otherwise negligent motorist, you have the right to hold them accountable by filing a personal injury claim.
Every one of us is at risk while crossing or walking near traffic. That’s why the Memphis injury attorneys at Gold Law Firm believe strongly in defending the rights of those hurt in pedestrian accidents. We’ll aggressively seek to hold the negligent driver accountable, and we’ll work to get you the maximum compensation possible for your injury claim.
For more than 20 years, we have served clients in Memphis and across the state of Tennessee, winning millions of dollars in favorable verdicts and settlements along the way. We will work in your best interest, something the insurance companies often won’t do. We want to help bring you peace of mind and to help you collect the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to set up a free consultation with no up-front fee or out of pocket expense to you. Call us or text us at (901) 244-5003, fill out our email form, or chat live.
Why Do I Need A Lawyer After a Pedestrian Accident?
As pedestrians, we are extremely vulnerable to injuries if a motorist drives carelessly or recklessly . Going for a jog or a walk should be an easy daily activity, but too often, that simple activity can end in disaster when drivers are distracted, driving aggressively, are intoxicated, or otherwise behaving neligently behind the wheel. As pedestrians, we rely on drivers near us to operate their vehicles safely. When they fail in doing so and injure us, they should be responsible for paying for our injuries and financial losses. Proving that a driver was negligent can be a challenging task, so be sure to hire a lawyer who understands Tennessee’s negligence laws and who has successfully handled cases like yours before.
The physical and emotional toll of being injured by a vehicle as a pedestrian can be life-changing, and it can be particularly stressful if an irresponsible driver caused your injuries. The medical costs and other bills that stack up while you recover can be a source of enormous stress.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in this way, the negligent driver must be held responsible for their actions. No amount of money can ever erase your heartache, but your pain should not be made worse by medical bills or other costs associated with the accident. Let us seek compensation on your behalf and guide you through this difficult time.
Why Should I Choose Gold Law Firm?
For over 20 years, our team at Gold Law Firm has fought for justice here in Tennessee. We have the experience and knowledge to take on any task. We have won compensation for many of our clients and can do the same for you. See our client testimonials and reviews for some of the ways we have helped previous clients.
Gold Law Firm will take care of you. Our team will handle the communication with your insurance company and be the advocate you deserve. We are not afraid to take your case to trial. Many other firms will push you towards a settlement to save them time and money. Our only concern is to bring you justice. We won’t even charge you a fee unless we win your case.
We know you and your loved ones have suffered, and we are here to help. To schedule a free consultation, call or text us today at (901) 244-5003, fill out our email form, or chat live.
What Types of Compensation Is Available?
If you were injured by a negligent driver while walking or jogging, you might be entitled to compensation. Drivers can cause extreme mental, emotional, and physical harm if they are driving irresponsibly. You and your loved ones should not suffer any economic hardship as a result of an accident when you are not to blame. Compensation can come in a variety of forms including:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
- Rehabilitation costs
- Long-term medical costs
- Emotional pain and suffering
Unfortunately, accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles can often be catastrophic. If you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, you might be entitled to compensation on their behalf. No amount of money can take away your suffering, but compensation might be your legal right. Economic hardship should not be a consequence of losing a loved one in an accident. Compensation available might include:
- Loss of wages
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of a caretaker
- Medical expenses from the fatal injury
- Reasonable funeral and burial expenses
To discuss your case and set up a free consultation, call or text us today at (901) 244-5003, fill out our email form, or chat live. We will do everything in our power to deliver justice.
Common Causes in Pedestrian Accidents
If you didn’t get medical help when you or a loved one were injured by a motor vehicle, contact a doctor to have your injuries inspected. Unfortunately, accidents involving pedestrians can be quite common and traumatic. While not every accident involving a vehicle and pedestrian is the driver’s fault, many are. Common causes for these types of accidents include:
- Distracted drivers
- Failure to yield
- Speeding
- Intoxicated drivers
- Dangerous road conditions
- Inattentive pedestrians
- Walking at night
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in an accident involving a vehicle than the passengers inside. The CDC reports that nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in these types of accidents in 2016 in the U.S., and over 125,000 pedestrians were treated for non-life-threatening injuries in the U.S. in 2015 alone.
These types of accidents are much too common. If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, consult an attorney right away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents
As a pedestrian, being involved in an accident with a vehicle can be devastating. If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one to a crash with a motorist, you may be feeling lost and confused. In an effort to best serve our community, here are the answers to some questions we hear commonly at our firm:
How much time do I have to file a lawsuit?
In Tennessee, an injury lawsuit can be filed for up to one year after the date of injury. If a pedestrian is killed in a crash, surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased for up to one year after the date of death.
How does liability work for pedestrian accidents?
To recover compensation for the accident, you’ll have to prove that the other party behaved carelessly, recklessly, or intentionally and caused you harm. Pedestrian accidents are very different from accidents involving two vehicles since pedestrians have little to no protection when struck by a car or truck. As a result, they are often the only ones who are hurt, and usually, their injuries are severe. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer will work hard to show that the driver who hit them was negligent, and therefore, owes them significant compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
What if I am partially responsible for the accident?
In Tennessee, “modified comparative negligence” laws are in place. This is a system that allows the courts to fairly assess blame and distribute that amongst all parties involved in an accident. The payment of compensation is tied to this system of assigning blame. How this works is the court assigns each party a percentage of the blame for an accident. For example, if the court finds that you were 15% responsible for the accident, you can collect up to 85% of the potential damages. In Tennessee, if you are found to be 51% or more responsible, you cannot sue for damages.
What is a driver’s duty of care?
Duty of care refers to the responsibility one has for exhibiting reasonable safety standards to protect those around them. Most often, drivers of vehicles owe pedestrians a great duty of care. What this means is that the vehicle operators must act in a way that protects the pedestrians. If they fail to do so, they might be liable for the injuries to a pedestrian after an accident.
Contact Us
At Gold Law Firm, we are committed to helping those who’ve been hurt in our Memphis community. If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident, you may be wondering how you’ll be able to recover physically and financially from this tragic event that was not your fault. Let our experienced team help you get the full and fair compensation that you’re owed.
We are here to deliver justice and help you seek the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call or text us today at (901) 244-5003, fill out our email form, or chat with us live on our website.
