Waldorf, MD Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents can be catastrophic. Victims regularly suffer serious harm like traumatic brain injuries, torn ligaments, broken bones, and spinal cord damage. In certain instances, those injured because of pedestrian accidents may even suffer deadly harm.

At-fault drivers can be held accountable for pedestrian accidents they cause. Still, the path to payment is not always straightforward for victims. Defendants in pedestrian accident lawsuits regularly try to refute key elements of plaintiffs’ claims.

If you were hurt as the result of a pedestrian accident in Waldorf, MD, seek help from our pedestrian accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras today by calling (410) 694-7291.

Damages Available to Victims of Pedestrian Accidents in Waldorf, MD

Multiple types of economic and non-economic losses may be compensated in pedestrian accident lawsuits. During a free review of your potential case, our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys can help determine which of the following damages you can pursue:

Medical Bills

First, you may be awarded payment for any medical bills related to your pedestrian accident injuries. Any past, current, and future medical expenses may be compensated. For example, the cost of your ambulance ride, hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications may all be reimbursed by the at-fault motorist.

Damages for medical expenses are can typically be established using your medical records and bills. Therefore, it is crucial that you seek medical care quickly after your pedestrian accident. If you wait too long and your injuries begin to heal on their own, then you may be unable to recover the full extent of monetary damages you deserve.

Lost Wages

If your pedestrian accident injuries restricted your ability to work, then you may be able to obtain payment for the lost wages you incurred. Generally, these damages will be quantified using your average weekly income.

Furthermore, if your pedestrian accident injuries prevent you from working in the future, then you can acquire damages for your lost earning capacity. However, making a claim for lost future wages can be a complicated task. Expert witness testimony is usually necessary to support such a claim. Accordingly, support from our team may be highly beneficial when seeking these damages in your case.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Additionally, you can obtain financial compensation for an array of out-of-pocket expenses related to your pedestrian accident injuries. As an example, you could have to pay for help with transportation to and from your court dates and doctor’s appointments. Also, if you are a parent who was injured because of a pedestrian accident, then you may need to pay for child care services. In either case, such expenses could be included in your claim against the at-fault motorist.

Damages for your out-of-pocket losses can be established using receipts and other financial records. Therefore, you should attempt to save the receipts for any costs you incur because of your pedestrian accident injuries.

Physical Pain

Many pedestrian accident injuries can cause a high degree of physical pain. For example, broken bones, soft tissue damage, spinal cord injuries, burns, and road rash can all be excruciatingly painful. Thankfully, plaintiffs in pedestrian accident cases can acquire financial compensation for the physical pain they experienced.

Emotional Anguish

Also, in addition to causing physical pain, pedestrian accident injuries can also lead to debilitating emotional anguish. For example, someone who suffers a brain injury may have difficulty participating in meaningful relationships with family members. Further, a victim with a spinal cord injury may be restricted from partaking in their favorite hobbies after their collision. In such cases, plaintiffs may be entitled to payment for the emotional distress caused by their injuries.

Property Damage

Finally, you may be able to recover payment for any personal property damage you suffered as a result of your accident. For instance, if your cellular phone was damaged because of your crash, then you may obtain compensation for the cost of its repair or replacement.

Evaluating Settlement Offers in Waldorf Pedestrian Accident Lawsuits

If you file a pedestrian accident lawsuit, the defendant will likely present you with a settlement offer before your case goes to trial. If you enter into a settlement agreement, then the defendant will pay you a specific sum of damages in exchange for the dismissal of your claim. There are potential advantages to settling before trial. For instance, you may save on certain expenses like witness fees and administrative costs. Further, by settling early, you may obtain financial compensation more quickly.

However, many defendants in pedestrian accident cases try to settle claims quickly and cheaply. It is likely that the first settlement offer you are presented with will not represent the true value of your case. Support from our legal team can be invaluable when negotiating for fair compensation.

Still, if an adequate settlement offer is not presented, then you must go to trial to recover additional compensation. At trial, you will have the chance to pursue damages that were not offered during settlement negotiations. The risk being that if your case does not succeed, then you may be awarded no payment whatsoever.

Common Locations Where Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Waldorf, MD

Pedestrian accidents can happen nearly anywhere, but there are certain locations where they occur more frequently. The following are all common locations where pedestrian accidents happen in Waldorf:

Parking Lots

Parking lots are a very common location for pedestrian accidents. While walking to their cars, pedestrians are often struck by motorists who fail to check their surroundings before pulling into or out of their parking spaces.

Intersections

Intersections are another common location where pedestrian accidents happen. These accidents regularly occur because drivers disobey traffic signals and fail to yield the right-of-way.

Crowded Urban Areas

Finally, crowded urban areas are also a place where many pedestrian accidents occur. Typically, these accidents happen during periods of high traffic congestion.

Call Our Lawyers for Support After Suffering a Pedestrian Accident in Waldorf, MD

Seek guidance from our pedestrian accident attorneys by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to evaluate your potential lawsuit for free.