When a pedestrian gets hit by a motor vehicle in Glen Cove, New York, the accident can result in severe injuries to the person on foot. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, you could have many questions about your legal options.
When you are trying to recuperate from your injuries, you do not also have to fight alone to seek the compensation you deserve. A Glen Cove lawyer at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP can fight your battles for you so that you can focus on getting better. Call us today at (516) 358-6900 for a no-charge case evaluation.
Damages You Can Claim in a Glen Cove Pedestrian Accident Injury Claim
The amount of your injury claim will depend on the unique facts of your situation. Every case is different. Even people in the same collision can have wildly different levels of injuries and long-term impairments.
The type of injuries you have and how well you heal from your wounds are factors that can affect the dollar value of your claim. If your injuries affect your ability to work, you may also seek compensation for reduced earning capacity.
Types of Damages
Here are some examples of damages we have won for our personal injury clients, including victims of pedestrian accidents:
- Lost income. People often miss work after getting hurt in an accident. Pedestrians are at a heightened risk of severe injuries when a motor vehicle strikes them because of the lack of a physical barrier to protect the walker from the force of the impact. Significant injuries can cause a person to miss weeks or months of work. This category can include unpaid wages, salary, self-employment, and other forms of regular income.
- Decreased earning capacity. An injured pedestrian might need to decrease working hours or take a lower-paying position because of an ongoing impairment. The difference between the previous earnings and the person’s income after the accident can be compensable.
- Disability. If the walker injured in the collision becomes unable to work at all because of long-lasting loss of function from the injuries, the person is disabled. The inability to support one’s self through gainful employment can be a part of their injury claim.
- Medical expenses. The law allows an injured person to seek financial recovery for the reasonable cost for the medical treatment needed because of their injuries. This category can include things like the ambulance, emergency room or trauma center, hospital, doctors, diagnostic procedures, surgery, physical therapy, and prescription drugs.
- Long-term care. Pedestrians can experience catastrophic wounds, like head trauma or spinal cord injuries, leading to the need for daily assistance with medical treatments and personal care. Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities can be extremely expensive.
- Adaptive needs. This category can include things like home modifications, wheelchair ramps, lift equipment, adapted motor vehicles, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, and medical equipment.
You might have additional losses, depending on your circumstances. An attorney can investigate your case and explore the various types of damages you might be able to claim. Call us today at (516) 358-6900 to talk to someone about your case.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Pedestrian Accident
Often, the driver of the vehicle that hits a person on foot is liable for the accident, but that is not guaranteed. Sometimes the walker or a third party was at fault. Your personal injury lawyer will need to talk to you and investigate your case to determine who might be responsible for your losses.
Do not wait too long to talk to a lawyer. New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CVP) §214 (2016) limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. If you miss the deadline, you can lose the right to seek compensation from the party who hurt you.
Three Things to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Glen Cove
The things that happen during the days and weeks after the collision can adversely affect the amount of compensation you can pursue.
Complete Your Medical Treatment
We assume that you have already gone to the doctor or emergency room by the time you read this information. If you have not, you should do so right away.
You might have a hidden injury that could quickly become lethal. We will need your medical records to prove the extent of your injuries for your claim. Completing your prescribed treatment keeps the defendant from arguing that you could have healed better.
Call a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer ASAP
The at-fault party’s liability insurance company will assign a team of people to work on your claim within days or even hours of the accident. Those people work full-time with one goal: paying you as little money as they can.
Do not let them get a head-start. Working with a personal injury attorney from the beginning can protect your legal rights.
Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement
The insurance company’s claims adjuster will likely contact you and ask for a recorded statement. The adjuster would ask you questions and record your responses.
You should not give a recorded statement because the insurer can twist your words into something you did not intend to devalue your claim. Instead, you can tell the adjuster to talk to your lawyer to get the information they seek.
Work with a Glen Cove Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Getting hurt in a pedestrian accident is frightening and stressful. You do not have to go through this experience alone. At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we work tirelessly to get our clients the compensation they deserve for their losses. Call us today at (516) 358-6900 to get started.
For a free legal consultation with a pedestrian accidents lawyer serving Glen Cove, call 516-358-6900
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information and may not be applicable in your jurisdiction.
