If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, liability will determine whether or not you can recover compensation and how much compensation you may receive. While no amount of money can undo the harm of being struck by a vehicle, being awarded sufficient monetary damages can help pedestrian accident victims obtain the extensive medical care they need and relieve financial stress.

When you are ready to pursue financial damages from the at-fault party in your pedestrian accident, contact the attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC. We have 100+ years of combined experience fighting for injured clients and proving liability in Watertown pedestrian accident cases. Our priority is ensuring that our clients have the best chance at recovering maximum compensation to help with their recovery journey.

Modified Comparative Fault and Liability in Watertown, CT

In Connecticut, more than one person or entity can be determined to be responsible for an accident. The state’s system is known as modified comparative negligence or modified comparative fault. This is relevant to your pedestrian accident case because the assignment of fault impacts your monetary recovery. Some states bar injured accident victims from seeking damages if they were at fault for the accident in any way, but Connecticut allows you to pursue compensation as long as you are less than 50% responsible.

It is important to note that while you can potentially recover compensation if you share fault for the accident, the total amount you receive will be reduced by your share of fault. This means that a person who is found to be 15% at fault will have their financial award decreased by 15%.

Pedestrian or Driver: Who Is to Blame for Accidents?

Pedestrians in Watertown have the right of way when crossing the street in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Drivers must also yield to pedestrians who have signaled their intent to cross the street. The overarching theme is that pedestrians have the right of way, which would suggest that motorists are at fault for accidents involving pedestrians. While this is true in some cases, there are situations in which a pedestrian can be partially or fully responsible for a collision, including:

  • Jaywalking
  • Crossing on a “Don’t Walk” signal
  • Walking while distracted or intoxicated

Connecticut has many traffic laws that dictate driver and pedestrian behavior, so if you’ve been struck by a vehicle while walking in Watertown, contact an attorney to discuss how liability plays a role in these cases.

How a Watertown Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Proves Liability

Because liability plays an important role in your ability to recover damages and the amount of compensation you may receive, your attorney will build a legal strategy that revolves around proving the driver is at fault. This might include gathering and preserving evidence like:

  • Medical records
  • Police reports
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Video footage of the accident
  • Pictures of the scene

Other evidence that can be helpful in pedestrian accident cases includes expert witness testimony.

Establish Liability With the Help of an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver while walking in Watertown, contact the attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC. We believe quality legal representation should be accessible, which is why we offer free virtual and in-person consultations. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by speaking with our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers about your case, so contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you determine and prove liability in your Watertown pedestrian accident case.