Pursuing Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident in Bonita Springs
If you were struck by a motorist you can file a claim with your Personal Injury Protection insurance to help cover the cost of lost wages and medical expenses up to the policy maximum. While drivers in Bonita Springs are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage, this may not cover the cost of serious injuries.
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident that was caused by a negligent driver, then you may be entitled to file a claim through the driver’s insurance company.
The damages you may be able to claim include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Personal property damage
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of future earnings
- Loss of quality of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
How Can a Bonita Springs Pedestrian Accident Attorney Help?
Insurance companies are usually reluctant to pay accident victims the compensation they’re owed, often making lowball settlement offers. When you hire a pedestrian accident lawyer on our legal team, they will combat these low settlement offers and advocate for your right to fair compensation.
When you hire a pedestrian accident attorney, they can also help by:
- Investigating the accident
- Gathering evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Identifying all responsible parties
- Employing experts to establish liability, reconstruct the accident, and accurately assess damages
- Handling all communication with the insurance company or defense attorney
- Providing guidance and support regarding whether to accept any settlement offers
- Filing a lawsuit on your behalf and representing you in court
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
Knowing what to do following a pedestrian accident can protect your health and your legal rights.
Here are some tips that can help if you find yourself in this dangerous situation:
- If you are injured, contact 911. If you do not have life-threatening injuries and do not want to be transported to the emergency room, contact law enforcement.
- Exchange information with the driver, obtaining their name, contact information, and insurance information.
- If anyone witnessed the accident, obtain their names and contact information.
- Speak with law enforcement. Provide only the facts. Do not admit fault for the accident.
- Gather evidence. If you’re able to move around, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, road conditions, and anything you believe may have caused or contributed to the accident. If you are not able to gather evidence at this time, have a family member visit the accident scene to take photos, if possible.
- Seek immediate medical treatment. If you refuse transport to the nearest emergency room, you must still be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. Certain types of accident injuries may not present signs or symptoms for hours or days following an accident. Additionally, seeking medical treatment immediately after the accident will link your injuries to the incident. Failure to obtain medical treatment right away can also cause the insurance company to claim you are not as severely injured as you say you are.
- Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer at Parker Waichman LLP as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation. If you are unable to contact an attorney yourself, have a family member or friend contact an attorney on your behalf
- Avoid speaking with the insurance company until you have spoken with a pedestrian accident lawyer on our legal team.
- Avoid posting on social media regarding your accident. The insurance company may be monitoring your social media accounts looking for evidence they can use against you.