A pedestrian accident can leave you with severe injuries and massive medical bills. Unfortunately, pedestrian fatalities continue to climb, as drivers spend less time focused on the road and more time engaged in negligent behavior behind the wheel.
If you suffered grave injuries or lost a close loved one due to a walk that turned tragic, the Hibbing pedestrian accident lawyers at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you fight for compensation.
Injured in Hibbing? Get Nicolet.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
The human body is no match for a car or truck. Studies find that Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are especially dangerous and deadly in pedestrian accidents. The high profile and front-end design tend to throw pedestrians forward when struck. Pedestrians are twice as likely to suffer severe hip and thigh injuries when struck by an SUV versus a passenger vehicle.
In addition to hip and thigh injuries, the following extensive injuries are possible:
- Brain injury: The disruption to brain function is sometimes so severe that families must place their loved one in a skilled nursing facility.
- Spinal cord injury: A spinal cord injury affects movement and sensation and typically results in paralysis.
- Bone fractures: Severe bone fractures can require multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and a long recovery.
- Internal injuries: A pedestrian accident may cause serious internal injuries such as bleeding.
- Skin abrasions: Brunt impact with the pavement or a sidewalk can result in painful skin abrasions known as road rash.
These are a few examples of the injuries possible in a pedestrian accident. For accident victims, life changes at the moment of impact. Some victims cannot return to their careers or enjoy the activities they enjoyed before the accident. Relationships can suffer, and victims sometimes lose the ability to enjoy favorite hobbies and activities.
The changes to your quality of life are what your attorney can include as they build your case. Your attorney must prove the responsible driver’s negligence and the impact such negligence had upon your life.
If a negligent driver harmed you, you could pursue a claim. You can learn more about how to move forward by contacting Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers now for a free case consultation.
Why Are Pedestrian Accidents on the Rise?
All types of vehicles can cause serious harm to pedestrians. However, one reason for the rise in pedestrian accidents is the popularity of SUVs. Sales now surpass those associated with cars and trucks.
Some pedestrians have little time to avoid a severe crash, while others are completely unaware of an approaching vehicle. Nevertheless, the reality is that a pedestrian accident is almost always avoidable by the driver.
Reckless behavior by SUV drivers includes:
- Distracted driving: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that at 55 mph, sending or reading a text is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. Other forms of distraction are navigational devices, passengers, and eating.
- Impaired driving: A drunk or drugged driver experiences diminished vision and reaction times. Rideshare and taxi services make impaired driving avoidable.
- Road rage: Aggressive drivers who speed and drive recklessly can quickly engage in road rage. Angry interaction with another driver can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, striking a pedestrian.
- Sleep-deprived driving: Drivers with a lack of sleep or an undiagnosed sleep disorder risk falling asleep behind the wheel. According to the Sleep Foundation, sleep deprivation can lead to a mental impairment similar to drunkenness.
Drivers must remain alert and focused on the road at all times. The driver responsible for your injuries may face criminal or traffic charges. However, the outcome of any charges does nothing to compensate you for your damages.
Your Right to Walk Safely in Minnesota
Pedestrians have both rights and responsibilities when walking Minnesota streets.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety cites the following state law when it comes to pedestrians and motorists:
Pedestrians must obey traffic control devices, and when no traffic control device is present, motorists must stop for crossing pedestrians within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk.
A pedestrian accident attorney from Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We can investigate your accident while you rest and recover. Our communication with you will remain consistent, and we always welcome your questions and concerns.
What happened to you or a loved one is not fair. The driver liable for your harm owed you a duty of care as you shared a Minnesota street or road. Seek justice for your pedestrian accident injuries by reaching out to Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today.
Your Pedestrian Accident Damages
The moment you suffer injuries is the moment your life changes. No one goes for a walk or attempts to cross a street, expecting to suffer severe harm. Pedestrian accident damages are generally extensive and expensive.
Each pedestrian civil claim and lawsuit is different. There is no way to predict the outcome of your case.
Accident victims typically suffer the following types of damages:
- Medical bills: medical transport, hospital, and doctors’ fees
- Continuous medical costs: ongoing medical care needs such as rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages: due to missed time from work recovering from injuries
- Lost income: if a victim is unable to return to the job they held before the accident
- Pain and suffering: mental anguish associated with the accident
Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can build a strong case for compensation based upon evidence. Essential types of evidence include police reports, accident scene photographs, witness interviews, along with your medical bills and reports.
Recovering from a pedestrian accident takes time. While there is no quick solution to your situation, a free case consultation can help you learn more about your options for legal action.
Providing your attorney with as much information as possible, as soon as possible, is best for your case. If you are the victim of a Minnesota pedestrian accident, plan to contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free case consultation.
Pedestrian Accident Claim and Lawsuit: The Process
The pedestrian accident claim and lawsuit generally begin with negotiations. Your attorney will negotiate with an insurance company for a fair settlement—one that you deserve and need. Fighting an insurance company alone as you recover from your injuries can leave you without much-needed compensation.
Pursue an insurance company settlement with the help of our attorneys. While the anxiety you feel regarding your medical bills and lost wages is understandable.
However, accepting an initial offer without an attorney’s guidance can:
- Close your claim for good
- Prevent you from pursuing compensation in the future, should your medical condition worsen
Accepting a settlement does not allow you to pursue a lawsuit later if you need additional compensation. Therefore, you must remain steadfast in your quest for the best settlement possible.
Insurance companies confuse and overwhelm accident victims who are already facing tough times. Any pressure from an insurance company to accept a settlement offer before hiring an attorney is inexcusable. Hiring an attorney as soon as possible protects your best interests against aggressive insurance companies.
If your attorney cannot secure a fair settlement out of court, they may proceed to trial. At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, our attorneys prepare for a possible civil trial. Insurance companies have lawyers and years of experience on their side. Hiring a member of the Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers team means you, too, will have years of experience and a professional lawyer on your side.
Fatal Pedestrian Accidents
Unfortunately, some pedestrians do not survive their injuries. The loss of a loved one due to a negligent driver results in a heartbreaking, permanent loss. A wrongful death lawyer from Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you. Our experience serving wrongful death clients can help you at this difficult time.
Minnesota wrongful death law generally allows surviving spouses, children, and parents to seek compensation. A lawyer from our team can review your case and determine if you can pursue a civil case.
Like personal injury cases, wrongful death cases begin with the negotiation process. If an assertive insurance adjuster wants you to accept a settlement, do not give in to their high-pressure tactics. Instead, hire a member of the Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers team and refer the adjuster to your lawyer.
The sudden loss of a close loved one is incredibly stressful and emotional. It is not the time to make a significant financial decision without the help of a wrongful death lawyer. Accepting a low sum now is something you are likely to regret later.
Compensation is never promised, and it cannot return your loved one. If successful, compensation can, however, ease your financial stress. A successful civil case can also serve as a form of justice for your loved one.
Do not pay out of pocket for your loved one’s final medical expenses and funeral costs. Instead, fight to make the liable party pay for these and other damages. Holding the responsible party accountable may change behavior that prevents another tragic pedestrian accident.
Pedestrian Accident Legal Fees
Contacting an attorney may seem like a frightening experience when facing mounting expenses. Unfortunately, your concern regarding legal fees can cause you to hesitate and cost you valuable time.
At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that our legal fees depend upon our success with your case. Simply put, if we do not win, you do not pay attorney’s fees. The knowledge that you do not need thousands of dollars upfront can help you rest easy.
We acknowledge that personal injury and wrongful death victims have a lot on their shoulders following a pedestrian accident. However, as attorneys, we want to help you and not add to your financial stress.
Accident victims do not owe us a retainer or deposit. We charge a contingency fee. Get the help you need with your civil case by reaching out for a free consultation as soon as possible. Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers stand ready to assist you throughout your case.
Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers: Your Minnesota Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
All road users have a responsibility to share the road and drive safely. There is no place along Minnesota streets and highways for distracted, drunk, aggressive, or drowsy drivers.
Operating a motor vehicle around vulnerable road users requires focus and care. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists face grave injuries due to their lack of protection. Severe, catastrophic, and permanent injuries or losses demand accountability.
At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we are compassionate, caring, and dedicated to communicating the legal process. We invite questions and carefully explain what to expect as we move forward. Your contact with our office must happen quickly due to the statute of limitations.
You Must Act Quickly
State law limits how long accident victims have to pursue civil action. If you do not file your case before the statute of limitations expires, you lose your legal opportunity to pursue compensation.
Helping people whom negligence has harmed is what we do. Testimonials from former clients demonstrate our commitment to providing quality customer service during personally challenging times. However, our past outcomes do not predict or guarantee a similar result for you.
If you or a loved one suffered significant harm due to the careless actions of a Minnesota driver, contact us. A free case consultation helps us and you to learn if you have a case and, if so, to get started on your path to justice.
Hibbing pedestrian accident victims can contact us online or call us at (218) 217-0659. A pedestrian accident occurs in seconds, yet changes lives forever. If this happened to you or a loved one, reach out to Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today. Let’s fight for the compensation you deserve together.