Pedestrian Accident Attorney In Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg is a comfortable area with a blend of suburban comfort and big city amenities. There are plenty of things to enjoy about the area, and many people walk through the town every day. However, pedestrian accidents can happen unexpectedly and often have devastating results. If you were recently injured while walking through the city, you need to consult a Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawyer right away.
Experienced Legal Counsel for Pedestrian Accident Cases in Hattiesburg, MS
Pedestrian safety is a growing concern for Hattiesburg residents. Local intersections like Hutchinson and Hardy are known to be dangerous for pedestrians, and there are plans to install a sidewalk on South 19th Avenue between Adeline and Camp streets. Whenever a motor vehicle driver hits a pedestrian, the pedestrian has a high chance of suffering life-changing injuries.
Hire a Seasoned Lawyer for a Successful Pedestrian Accident Claim
Daniel Waide is a seasoned attorney with a long history in the Hattiesburg community. From growing up on a local generational family farm and learning the value of honest work to becoming a leader for youth sports leagues in the area, Daniel works diligently to live the values taught in Isaiah 1:17, fighting for justice on behalf of the injured and oppressed.
When you hire a pedestrian accident lawyer to help you recover from this type of accident, you are not only more likely to succeed with your case but also more likely to maximize the compensation you obtain for your damages. WaideLaw can carefully review the details of how your accident happened and identify your greatest areas of concern when it comes to proving liability for the accident and recovering compensation for your damages.
How to Prove Fault for a Pedestrian Accident in Hattiesburg
According to the National Safety Council, more than 9,000 pedestrians nationwide died in traffic and non-traffic incidents during 2023. More than 7,000 of these victims died in traffic crashes on public roads. Whenever a motor vehicle driver hits a pedestrian, it is often assumed that the driver is automatically to blame. While a driver has a duty of care to avoid hitting pedestrians, it is possible under certain conditions for a pedestrian to share fault for causing their accident.
For example, if a pedestrian enters the road outside of a crosswalk, walks on a road where foot traffic is prohibited, or otherwise contributes to causing an accident, they could be found partially responsible for the resulting damages. Under Mississippi’s pure comparative fault rule, a plaintiff can be found partially liable and still recover compensation, but they lose a percentage of their case award equal to their percentage of fault.
Your Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawyer can be an invaluable asset when it comes to proving fault for your accident. They can gather various forms of evidence to support your case, including the driver’s cell phone records, police reports, and testimony from any witnesses who saw the accident happen. Once you have established liability, your attorney can assist you with claiming compensation for your damages.
Filing an Auto Insurance Claim for a Pedestrian Accident in Hattiesburg
Mississippi law requires every driver to have vehicle insurance that meets minimum coverage requirements. When a driver causes an accident, their auto insurance policy can pay for the resulting damages. However, dealing with insurance companies can be difficult as they will almost always attempt to settle a claim for as little as possible. You should hire a pedestrian accident lawyer before attempting to negotiate a settlement with an insurance carrier.
Your Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawyer can help you navigate the insurance claim filing process and ensure your claim is handled in good faith. If the insurance company disputes your claim, your attorney can be ready to respond and defend you. This is the optimal way to prevent any unfair denial of your claim.
Recovering Compensation With a Personal Injury Case
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that there were 67,336 pedestrians injured in traffic accidents in 2022. Even if such an accident happens at a relatively low speed, the pedestrian can not only suffer severe injuries from the initial impact of the vehicle but also from being thrown to the ground. Many pedestrian accident cases in Mississippi entail extreme injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain damage, and more.
To succeed with a personal injury case, a plaintiff must establish liability for their damages based on a preponderance of the evidence. This means that their evidence must be compelling enough to prove that the defendant is likely responsible for their claimed damages. Your attorney can resolve any disputes regarding liability and help you prepare for the difficult proceedings ahead.
If you are able to successfully establish liability for your accident, it is possible to recover compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you suffered because of the defendant’s actions. Economic damages are generally straightforward, as these include the direct financial losses you suffered because of the defendant’s negligence or misconduct. In most pedestrian accident cases, economic damages include medical expenses and lost wages.
It is important to keep in mind that when it comes to medical expenses, the plaintiff can seek compensation for immediate and future medical treatment costs arising from the defendant’s actions. Similarly, they could be unable to work while they recover from their accident, or they could be permanently disabled and unable to return to work at all. In this case, they could seek compensation for their lost future earning capacity.
Non-economic damages are more challenging in personal injury cases. The plaintiff has the right to seek compensation for the pain and suffering the defendant caused, but state law limits how much they can receive. Your Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawyer can help you maximize this aspect of your recovery, seeking appropriate compensation for the physical pain and psychological distress the defendant caused.
Ultimately, you could have grounds to seek more compensation than you might have initially expected, but you need to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer to have the greatest chance of success with your case. WaideLaw is ready to provide the compassionate legal guidance you need in this difficult situation, so reach out to our firm today and learn more about the legal services we provide.
FAQs
What Are the Most Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
Some of the most commonly reported pedestrian accident injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and damage to internal organs. Victims are also likely to suffer multiple minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises from pedestrian accidents. Even if you think you only sustained minor injuries, it is vital to seek medical treatment immediately to rule out internal injuries that have not yet caused noticeable symptoms.
How Do You Prove Liability for a Pedestrian Accident in Hattiesburg?
You can prove liability for a pedestrian accident in Hattiesburg using various forms of digital and physical evidence. Police reports, cell phone records, photos of the scene of the accident, and testimony from eyewitnesses could all be crucial pieces of evidence for your case. Under Mississippi’s at-fault system for resolving accident cases, the injured victim must be able to prove fault before they can recover compensation for their damages.
How Much Compensation Can I Claim in a Pedestrian Accident Case?
The amount of compensation you can claim in a pedestrian accident case will depend on the severity of your injuries. If you can prove the defendant is directly responsible for causing the accident, they will be liable for your medical expenses, lost income, lost future earning capacity, and the pain and suffering they inflicted. Your Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawyer can help you maximize your total compensation.
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Pedestrian Accident Case?
The time it could take to resolve a pedestrian accident case will depend on whether you have legal representation handling the case, whether you can recover compensation through auto insurance, and whether you need to file a personal injury case. Many personal injury cases are resolved through settlement negotiations, which are typically faster than litigation. Your Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawyer can estimate the timetable for your case.
Why Do I Need to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
You need to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer to have the greatest chance of success with your case. The right legal representative can help you prove fault for your accident; they can also assist you with proving the full extent of your losses. You are more likely to recover maximum compensation from the defendant if you hire a pedestrian accident lawyer right away after your accident.
The team at WaideLaw understands that you are likely to have many pressing legal questions in the aftermath of your accident, and you may be confused about your legal options. We can help you make sense of your situation and help you increase your chances of success with your case. Contact WaideLaw today to schedule a consultation with an experienced Hattiesburg pedestrian accident lawyer and learn how we can help you recover.
