Any car crash can cause serious injuries, but no accident is more dangerous than a car striking a pedestrian’s unprotected body. That’s why it’s so important for motorists to share the road, and that’s why pedestrian accident victims need strong legal representation. A Watertown pedestrian accident lawyer at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC stand up for victims’ rights.

If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, one of the most important things you must do is immediately speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about your rights. Contact us to schedule your free, confidential, remote or in-person consultation.

We Understand the Legal Implications of Pedestrian Accidents

Connecticut’s laws are quite clear: motorists are to yield the right of way to pedestrians under most circumstances. Unfortunately, pedestrians are often hit by distracted drivers, drivers going too fast and those not paying attention to people in crosswalks.

When that happens, there are often legal disputes about who had the right of way, especially if the pedestrian was crossing the street at an unmarked crosswalk. The insurance companies take these claims very seriously because they know how costly the injuries sustained can be. You need an experienced attorney to level the playing field.

Recovering from Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Even when they happen at low speeds, any collision between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian will almost always have severe consequences. Pedestrians are often lucky if they are able to walk away from these incidents with minor cuts and bruises. Unfortunately, it is far more common for them to sustain serious injuries like:

  • Facial injuries;
  • Traumatic brain damage;
  • Deep lacerations requiring stitches;
  • Soft-tissue injuries like muscle tears and joint sprains;
  • Broken bones, particularly in the legs, hips, and hands; and
  • Spinal cord trauma resulting in long-term paralysis.

In some situations, accidents like this can cause permanent disfigurement or disability, resulting in:

  • Extensive medical bills;
  • Long-term losses of earning capacity;
  • Immense physical and psychological suffering; and
  • Costs for things like home modifications and in-home assistance.

Even if the injuries caused by a pedestrian crash will heal over time, anyone hurt by a negligent driver can seek compensation for their losses with our attorneys’ help.

Time Limits for Pedestrian Crash Claims

Even if a pedestrian is dealing with lifelong injuries due to a motor vehicle wreck, they only have a limited time under state law to file suit. Connecticut General Statutes § 52-584 gives injured pedestrians just two years after getting hurt to begin the litigation process.

While this rule has a few exceptions, this is an immovable deadline for filing suit in most cases. Failing to abide by it will almost always leave an injured person without any means of obtaining financial recovery. And in some circumstances involving claims against the State or a city the time periods can be much shorter. For this reason, retaining a lawyer soon after a pedestrian accident in Watertown can be crucial to protecting your legal rights.

Importance Evidence for a Successful Case

Courts will not automatically assume drivers are to blame for pedestrian crashes. It falls to the injured pedestrian to establish that the negligent driver caused their injuries. In many cases, the police report is vital evidence for establishing a driver’s legal fault for an accident. This may include a citation against that driver for a traffic violation or other information proving that the driver was acting irresponsibly.

Other forms of evidence that may be helpful include but are not limited to:

  • Photos from the accident scene;
  • Testimony from accident witnesses;
  • Input from accident reconstruction experts;
  • Surveillance or dashboard camera footage; and
  • Comprehensive documentation of the pedestrian’s injuries and the treatment they received.

Guidance from legal counsel can make a huge difference in how efficiently and effectively you can collect, preserve, and present important information.

You Can Expect Relentless Advocacy from Our Watertown Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

During our free consultation about your pedestrian accident claim, we’ll listen to your side of the story, answer your questions and explain your legal rights and options. If you choose to retain our firm, we’ll launch an immediate investigation to secure critical evidence, which may include interviewing witnesses, collecting physical evidence from the accident scene and obtaining video footage. We’ll also contact the insurance company for the driver who hit you and inform them that they can send all further inquiries to us so you do not have to deal with the insurance company directly.

Our pedestrian accident attorneys will advocate for you throughout negotiations with the insurance company, keeping you informed and giving you the ability to focus on healing. Often, we’re able to settle out of court because of our thorough investigation, preparation and reputation, but we will be prepared to take them to trial, including preparing strategies in our in-house courtroom. We work this way because we understand that this is more than just a case: it’s your life.

If you’ve been hit as a pedestrian, get our legal team to be your advocate. We’ll fight to ensure your legal rights are protected. Contact us today to schedule your free remote or in-person consultation with an experienced Watertown pedestrian accident lawyer.