Injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident can often be quite severe. Pedestrians have no real protections when struck by vehicles, which is why so many of these accidents result in serious injuries or death. If you have been injured, recovering compensation from the liable party will likely be essential to getting you the treatment you need.
If you require a pedestrian accident lawyer in Albany, the team at the Morelli Law Firm is here to help. We have extensive experience helping accident victims recover the compensation they need to move on after an accident. Contact us today to get started on your case with a free consultation.
What does a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Do?
When you hire a pedestrian accident attorney, they take over every aspect of your legal case. This will allow you to relax and focus on recovering from your injuries. One of the first things your attorney will do after taking you on as a client will be to begin investigating your accident. The intent of this inquiry will be to establish liability and gather evidence to support your case.
Common steps in an Albany pedestrian accident lawyer’s investigation include:
- Visiting the accident scene to take pictures and collect evidence
- Speaking to any witnesses to the accident
- Consulting with various experts
- Obtaining a copy of the accident report
- Reviewing your medical files relating to the injuries you suffered
After completing their investigation, your lawyer will use all the information they have gathered to calculate the total value of your damages. They will then inform you about the strength of your case and advise you on how best to proceed. After that, they will file paperwork with the appropriate party.
For an insurance claim, your attorney will file with the liable party’s insurer, while with a civil lawsuit, they will file with the court. If you pursue a lawsuit, your attorney will then begin the pretrial process and prepare to represent you in court.
At every stage, your attorney will be in contact with the legal counsel for the opposition. They will attempt to negotiate a fair settlement agreement that gets you the money you need. Most pedestrian accident cases end in a settlement as it brings a quicker conclusion and allows both sides to avoid an unpredictable courtroom battle.
Damages You Can Claim
After getting injured in a pedestrian accident, you will likely be able to recover significant damages. These damages are divided into three categories:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic Damages
Economic damages are any losses you suffered that affected your financial situation. Economic damages include any money that you had to spend as a result of your accident, as well as any money that you were prevented from earning. These damages can include both present and future losses.
Economic damages that commonly apply include:
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Medical costs
- Future medical bills
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include all other losses that you suffered due to your accident. Non-economic damages are the losses that are far more difficult to recover from. Because of this, the amount paid out for these damages is often substantial.
Common non-economic damages include:
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disability
Punitive Damages
In some cases, you might be eligible to recover punitive damages as well. Punitive damages are different in that they are not about the losses suffered by the victim. Instead, the focus of awarding these damages is on punishing the liable party.
Economic damages are only awarded in a small percentage of cases where the at-fault party’s actions are deemed to have been criminally negligent or carried out with the willful intent of causing harm.
Albany Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Don’t Miss Your Window to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you are planning to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party, it is essential to note the statute of limitations. In New York, injury victims typically have a three-year period in which to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, you need to realize that circumstances may apply to your case that alters the amount of time you have to file.
In order to protect your right to compensation and make sure that all deadlines are met, you should hire a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after you get injured. Doing so will also put your lawyer in the best position to build a strong case because they will likely be able to gather more evidence and have access to witnesses while events are still fresh in their minds.
Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
When hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer in Albany, you don’t have to worry about their aims not being aligned with your own. Pedestrian accident lawyers, like almost every personal injury lawyer, tend to work on a contingency fee basis. That means that they only get paid if you recover compensation.
When a pedestrian accident attorney does collect a fee, the money they get is taken directly from the payout by the liable party at a predetermined percentage. You will never have to pay your lawyer a penny out of your own pocket.
With this form of payment, you can feel comfortable that your attorney is doing everything in their power to ensure you get as much money as possible for your claim. It also allows all accident victims to secure legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
Reach Out to a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Albany Today
At the Morelli Law Firm, our team of Albany pedestrian accident lawyers knows all the ins and outs of what is required to get accident victims the money they deserve. We have a proven track record of recovering significant payouts for our clients after an injury.
Give us a call or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a free case evaluation.