After a pedestrian accident, collecting compensation is often a critical step on the road to recovery. Pedestrians frequently suffer significant injuries when struck by automobiles due to the lack of protection they have in a collision.
At the Morelli Law Firm, we are committed to getting our clients the compensation they deserve. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Hempstead will do everything within their power to ensure that you recover the money you need after an accident.
Steps a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Will Take in Your Case
When you hire a pedestrian accident attorney, they will get to work building your compensation case immediately. One of the first things they will do will be to begin investigating your accident. Their intent will be to establish liability and collect evidence to support your damages claim. Common steps in this investigation include:
- Visiting the scene of the accident to take pictures and gather evidence
- Speaking with any potential witnesses
- Consulting various experts
- Obtaining a copy of the official accident report
- Reviewing your medical files related to the injuries you sustained
Once your attorney has finished their investigation, they will use the information they gathered to assess your damages and calculate the value of your claim. They will then discuss the strength of your case with you and advise you of your options for how to proceed. The next step will likely be to either submit a claim to the liable party’s insurer or file a lawsuit with the court.
If you choose to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, your lawyer will proceed by going through the steps of the pretrial process while preparing to represent you in court. Throughout the entire process, your lawyer will be in communication with opposing counsel, attempting to negotiate a fair settlement deal.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in New York?
When filing a pedestrian accident, it is important to be aware of the statute of limitations. In New York, under CPLR § 214, accident victims typically have three years from the date they sustained their damages to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party.
However, it is essential to be aware of the fact that special circumstances can alter the amount of time you have to file. In order to ensure that your lawsuit gets filed on time, you should hire a Hempstead pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible after sustaining your injuries.
Hempstead Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
How Much does It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
When considering hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer, you will likely be concerned with how much money they are likely going to charge you. Fortunately, almost every personal injury lawyer works on a contingency fee basis. Unlike other lawyers, these attorneys get paid based on results rather than on the amount of time they spend working on your case.
Your pedestrian accident lawyer in Hempstead will receive their fee as a prearranged percentage of the compensation you recover from the liable party. That means that the more money you get, the bigger the payday for your lawyer. Alternatively, if you don’t recover compensation, your lawyer doesn’t get paid.
This system ensures that your lawyer’s priorities are aligned with your own. It also allows all accident victims to obtain experienced legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit?
After an injury suffered in a pedestrian accident, you will most likely be able to recover a wide range of damages. Which damages you can claim will depend on the specifics of your case and the injuries you suffered. All compensatory damages can be split into the broad categories of economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Any damages that directly cost you money fall into the category of economic damages. These losses include both money you have to spend and money you are unable to acquire because of the results of your accident. These damages can be both current and future losses. Some of the most common economic damages claimed in pedestrian accidents include:
- Lost wages
- Lowered earning ability
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs
Non-Economic Damages
The rest of the losses you suffer are classified as non-economic damages. These damages often cost accident victims much more greatly than economic damages because what is lost can usually not be replaced. The money recovered for these damages often makes up the bulk of a compensation payout.
Common non-economic damages awarded in pedestrian accident lawsuits include:
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability
Punitive Damages
In a small portion of pedestrian accident cases, victims are also eligible to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages do not fall in either of the above categories because they are not awarded for losses suffered by the accident victim. Instead, the focus of these damages is on the actions of the at-fault party.
Punitive damages are meant to punish the liable party for their actions and are only awarded in cases where the responsible party was either criminally negligent or performed with the deliberate intention of causing harm.
Get a Free Consultation from a Hempstead Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
At the Morelli Law Firm, we believe that all accident victims should have the help of experienced legal professionals so that they can recover fair compensation for their injuries. Our team of Hempstead pedestrian accident lawyers has a proven track record of securing favorable outcomes for our clients.
Give us a call or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a free case evaluation. A member of our team will review your case and advise you about all your legal options.