Woodbury Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Woodbury is known for its busy pedestrian crosswalks, such as on Lake Road, which is often filled with exercisers, students, families, and even dog walkers at all times of the day. Sadly, with all these individuals on the area’s busy roadways, it is not uncommon for a motorist to strike a pedestrian while standing on the curb or even crossing the street.
Unfortunately, these pedestrian accidents often have devastating consequences, resulting in debilitating injuries, excruciating pain, and extensive medical bills that affect the whole family. However, if you have been injured in a pedestrian accident because of another person’s wrongful, reckless, or negligent actions, you should not have to be on the hook for the costs and damages that resulted.
The Woodbury pedestrian accident lawyers at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers have handled numerous pedestrian accident claims, and we know you want justice for the harm you sustained. That is why we are here for you, ready to take on your case and fight for the financial recovery you are entitled to.
Injured in Woodbury? Get Nicolet.
About Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers
Over the last 17 years, the law offices of Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers have assisted thousands of clients after they have been seriously injured or disabled because of a horrific accident. This is because we have always been passionate about representing victims facing life-altering injuries, guiding them towards the right legal solution for their financial situation, and getting them the positive outcomes they need.
As a result of this dedication, we have helped over 3,000 clients and collected over $250 million in jury verdicts and settlement awards on their behalf. Some of our most recent judgments have included:
- $1,050,000 for a pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle in Superior, Wisconsin.
- $250,000 for a pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle in St. Paul, Minnesota.
- $250,000 policy limit for a pedestrian accident in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Although we cannot guarantee that your case will have these same results when you retain the Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, you can rest assured that our legal team can fight hard to get you every last dollar you deserve.
Pedestrian Accidents-By the Numbers
Every year, in the United States, there are about 137,000 pedestrians treated in the emergency departments for their crash-related harm, and about 6,000 pedestrians are killed in these horrific accidents.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the groups most affected by these accidents include:
- Pedestrians over the age of 65, who account for 20 percent of all pedestrian deaths and about 10 percent of all pedestrian injuries.
- Children under the age of 15.
- Males.
Unfortunately, Minnesota does not fare any better in the pedestrian accident department. In fact, in one year, the state saw 1,181 pedestrians involved in an accident, which resulted in 50 deaths, 142 serious injuries, and 984 pedestrians who suffered some sort of harm.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Woodbury
Although motorists are expected to exercise a reasonable duty of care while they are on the road, this does not always happen, and pedestrians often suffer severe injuries as a result.
Generally, the most common behaviors that tend to contribute to a pedestrian accident in Woodbury include the following:
- Excessive Speeding: Speeding is not only a traffic violation but is also considered reckless driving. Pedestrians hit by a speeding automobile in Woodbury often suffer devastating injuries or die from the impact. For instance, Settlers Ridge Parkway near Sundance Way is a dangerous area for pedestrians since thrill-seekers head here to try to go airborne by driving fast over rises in the roadway.
- Not Yielding: Drivers who roll through a stop sign or an intersection or do not yield to the pedestrian who has the right of way are often a significant reason for horrific pedestrian crashes in the area.
- Distracted Driving: Even if a driver takes their eyes off the road for an instant, it can still result in a deadly pedestrian crash. Distracted driving behaviors often include eating and driving, texting and driving, and talking to others in the car while driving, as each of these activities takes the motorist’s eyes off the road.
- Driving While Intoxicated: Intoxicated driving, which includes driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, is more likely to cause a deadly pedestrian crash because a driver’s reaction time, driving skills, and reasoning are impaired.
- Weather Conditions: Woodbury gets precipitation, on average, 108 days per year. This precipitation includes rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground. Unfortunately, this precipitation can create dangerous conditions for pedestrians since it can hinder a driver’s ability to slow down, stop, or be able to see a pedestrian on the roads.
- Left-Hand Turns: Even if a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, a car that is turning left can hit them. This is usually because the motorist’s attention is elsewhere and not on the pedestrian who is legally crossing the road. In Minnesota, left-hand turns typically account for over 200 pedestrian accidents.
- Backing Up: Pedestrians are at risk of injury in parking lots when cars back up, especially in areas filled with a lot of traffic.
Although most pedestrian accidents involve a motor vehicle collision, they can also occur when a pedestrian falls on someone else’s property because of a hazardous condition.
Yet, regardless of how your pedestrian accident occurred, if you have been harmed because of another person’s wrongful or negligent action, you should reach out to a Woodbury pedestrian accident lawyer, like those at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, as soon as possible. These lawyers can promptly begin an investigation into your accident, figure out what happened, and help you pursue the compensation you need for the harm you sustained.
Common Injuries Resulting From a Woodbury Pedestrian Accident
Usually, the extent and the severity of a pedestrian’s injuries following an accident will depend on the circumstances of the incident.
However, generally, these injuries are rather extreme and can include:
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal bleeding and damage
- Emotional trauma
- Death
Damages Available in a Woodbury Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit
If you have been harmed in a Woodbury pedestrian accident because of another person’s wrongdoings, you may be entitled to compensation. This compensation may include:
Economic Damages: These damages refer to the actual measurable losses that result from an accident, such as
- Past, present, and future medical bills, including emergency medical services, hospital stay, surgeries, doctor visits, ambulance rides, and prescription medications.
- Lost wages.
- Lost earning capacity.
- Personal property damages.
- Rehabilitative costs.
- At-home nursing care.
- Replacement services.
- Other out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-Economic Damages: These damages refer to the subjective losses that occur after an accident and are not easy to quantify.
They can include:
- Pain and Suffering.
- Loss of enjoyment of life and activities.
- Loss of reputation.
- Loss of a limb.
- Mental anguish.
- Loss of companionship.
- Loss of consortium.
- Scarring.
- Disfigurement.
Punitive Damages: Unlike the other compensatory damages, which compensate the victim for their losses, punitive damages punish the defendant for their egregious wrongdoings and serve to stop other people from committing this same act. However, courts only award these damages if the victim’s attorney can prove with clear and convincing evidence that the defendant’s actions showed a deliberate disregard for the safety and rights of others.
Actions to Take After a Woodbury Pedestrian Accident
Following a pedestrian accident, even though the scene can be overwhelming and stressful, you must take action.
These steps not only help keep you safe but protect your legal rights:
Contact 911 Immediately
The first thing you should do after a pedestrian accident is contact 911. This is the fastest way to get the accident on record and notify medical personnel that you or someone at the scene requires emergency medical help.
Once the police arrive, they can investigate the accident and document all their findings in their police report. If you decide to pursue an injury claim, this report can provide you with valuable evidence regarding what happened and who was at fault.
Collect Evidence From the Scene
If possible, try to take as many photos and videos of the accident scene as you can. Include pictures of your visible injuries, the vehicles involved in the accident and their placement on the road, any dangerous conditions, the weather at the time of the accident, and any other evidence that can help show what happened. In addition, make sure you keep all of your bloody and torn clothes, as it can often help support the extent of your injuries.
Seek Medical Help Promptly
Even if your injuries seem minor following a pedestrian accident, you still need to get checked over by a doctor. Often, serious injuries such as head or brain trauma can take days to even weeks to manifest. Yet, the longer you wait to get this condition treated, the more deadly it can become.
Additionally, getting prompt medical attention can be important to your claim. Insurance companies are often looking for any reason to deny your case. By not getting immediate medical help following your accident, they may argue that your injuries are not that serious or that they were a result of a subsequent event. Fortunately, when a doctor examines you following your accident, the medical staff can document your injuries and what happened in their medical report—ultimately providing you with a direct link between your injuries and the pedestrian accident.
Get Driver and Witness Information
If motor vehicles were involved in your pedestrian accident, make sure you get all the motorists’ names, contact details, insurance information, and driver’s license numbers.
In addition, if there were people at the scene who saw what happened, also try to get their name and number. These witness statements can often provide you with valuable information regarding the incident and back up your claims.
Be Careful What You Say
Following a Woodbury pedestrian accident, you need to watch what you say. At the accident scene, do not make any definitive statement about the incident, apologize for anything that occurred, or admit fault for anything that happened. These types of accounts can come back later and hurt your claim and the amount of money you can receive.
Get the Legal Help You Need After a Woodbury Pedestrian Accident
To have success in your pedestrian accident claim, you need to have a solid understanding of the state’s laws, detailed evidence showing what happened and who was at fault, and sound legal arguments proving your claim. However, this is probably the last thing on your mind following an accident, as you are most likely dealing with significant injuries and horrible pain. Fortunately, when you retain a pedestrian accident lawyer, like those at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, you do not have to take on this legal battle alone.
These lawyers can:
- Answer all of your questions and concerns, figure out your legal options, and provide you the legal support you need during this challenging time.
- Investigate your pedestrian accident and secure the evidence needed to prove fault and damages.
- Obtain experts such as accident reconstructionists and doctors to substantiate your claims.
- Handle all the negotiations with the insurance company and pursue a just settlement.
- Take your case to trial, if required, and fight for maximum damages on your behalf.
If you or a loved one suffered significant injuries after a Woodbury pedestrian accident, do not wait any longer to get the legal help you need. Instead, contact the Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today at (651) 358-2531 for your free case consultation, and let our lawyers show you how we can fight for you and your rights.