Under state law, pedestrians always have the right of way over vehicle traffic when they are lawfully walking in marked or unmarked crosswalks, as well as when crossing over alleyways or side streets on paved sidewalks. Unfortunately, motorists often fail to look for or yield properly to pedestrians and may collide with them as a result.
If you sustained injuries under similar circumstances, you may have grounds to seek comprehensive civil compensation for your harm. However, you may find it challenging to do this effectively without a qualified personal injury attorney’s guidance. Contact a Valparaiso pedestrian accident lawyer at The Law Offices of David W. Holub today to start building your claim.
What Damages Could Be Available in a Pedestrian Crash Lawsuit?
All motor vehicle drivers have a duty of care under state law requiring them not only to obey traffic laws at all times but also to pay close attention to their surroundings and give other people a safe amount of space on the road. If a driver strikes and injures a pedestrian because they committed a traffic offense, became distracted, or otherwise violated their duty of care, they may be found negligent and be financially liable for all injuries and losses suffered by that pedestrian.
Specific losses which often factor into these claims include, but are not strictly limited to:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and anguish
- Expenses for disability management
- Lost enjoyment and overall quality of life
- Short-term and long-term medical bills
- Lost work income and future earning capacity
A pedestrian injury attorney in Valparaiso could review your potential damages in detail during a confidential consultation.
Important Evidence for Pedestrian Injury Claims
Legal counsel could also help you gather, preserve, and make effective use of all available evidence relevant to your claim. A comprehensive claim can incorporate evidence such as traffic or dashboard camera footage, eyewitness testimony, crash scene photos, and police accident reports to show that the driver caused the accident through a specific, irresponsible act.
You may also need to proactively prove that you were not to blame for causing your injury through your own misconduct—for example, by stepping into a crosswalk when you did not have a traffic signal instructing you to do so. A skilled attorney could help a pedestrian contest accusations of comparative fault and maximize recovery for an accident lawsuit in Valparaiso.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Valparaiso Today
Motorists in the Hoosier State must always watch out for and avoid the risk of injuring a pedestrian in a collision. If you suffered harm while walking because a driver acted irresponsibly, taking legal action against that driver is your right under state law. However, this can be difficult to face on your own.
At The Law Offices of David W. Holub, we know from much experience how to fight effectively on behalf of people injured through the misconduct of others. Contact us today to discuss your options with a Valparaiso pedestrian accident lawyer from our team.