Whether heading down the block to visit a neighbor or across the parking lot to head into the office, most people are out on their feet at some point nearly every day. While it may seem like one of the safest and healthiest forms of transportation, walking can quickly turn into one of the most dangerous when motor vehicles are nearby. When struck by a motorcycle, car, truck, van, or bus, pedestrians do not have any protection which make them uniquely vulnerable. They may suffer grave and life-altering injuries such as broken bones, paralysis, and organ damage.
If you or a loved one have been injured due to a negligent motor vehicle driver, a diligent personal injury attorney could be an important ally in your efforts to obtain compensation. A skilled Jackson County pedestrian accident lawyer could review your claim, gather evidence, and prove the defendant’s negligence caused your damages.
The biggest safety measure to prevent pedestrian accidents is, as a pedestrian, to watch out for vehicles. Certainly, somebody can use protective padding or some other kind of protective device if they think they are going to be subject to such an accident, but they are extremely rare and probably would not do any good in the long run. Unfortunately, there is not much they can do other than be mindful of traffic, be mindful of others, and try to cross only when it is safe to do so or if they are walking along the roadway, to do so in the safest manner possible.
Jackson County pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks. However, in some cases, drivers – usually distracted, fatigued, speeding, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs – may fail to yield and strike unwitting pedestrians as they are lawfully crossing the street.
Sidewalks are relatively safe. However, intoxication, poor weather conditions, or even a mechanical malfunction could cause motor vehicle operators to lose control and crash into pedestrians walking on sidewalks.
Parking lots and garages are notorious for accidents. Drivers are often distracted while looking for a spot or sending text messages. Pedestrians, especially small children, walking to and from their cars are particularly susceptible to getting injured by drivers backing in and out or weaving up and down the rows of vehicles.
Whether loading groceries into the trunk of a parked car or waiting on the shoulder for a tow truck to arrive, pedestrians on the side of the road are also at risk of getting hit by a motor vehicle.
Individuals who have been struck by a motor vehicle are often left with painful injuries that could affect the rest of their lives. Pedestrians could sustain injuries such as:
With the help of a knowledgeable Jackson County pedestrian accident lawyer, injured claimants may be eligible to recover compensation for all of their injuries and damages.
Motor vehicle operators owe pedestrians a duty of care and are required to drive as a reasonably safe and prudent person would do under similar circumstances. Drivers who violate this standard of care and injure pedestrians may be liable for compensating victims for current and future medical expenses, lost wages, mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium.
Injured plaintiffs deemed to be partly at fault for an accident could still recover compensation for damages. Under Mississippi’s pure comparative fault rule, injured claimants would have their damages reduced according to their percentage of responsibility for an accident. A diligent pedestrian accident attorney in Jackson County could fight against claims of shared negligence to help the injured claimant recover more compensation.
If you were struck by a moving vehicle while on foot, a compassionate lawyer could build your case by reviewing all the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and determining the most effective course of action. Mississippi allows injured victims just three years to initiate a pedestrian accident lawsuit for injuries, so consulting with an attorney as soon as possible could be important to your case.
Call a Jackson County pedestrian accident lawyer today to learn more about pursuing compensation for your injuries.