Walking may be good for your health and for the environment, but being a pedestrian means facing certain risks. Even when you are careful and follow the rules of the road, you can still suffer injuries due to negligent or reckless drivers. Fortunately, when drivers’ negligent behavior leads to pedestrian injuries, the law offers accident victims a way to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Pedestrian accident victims may be eligible for compensation covering medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and more. To build the strongest case, Call a personal injury attorney at Valero Law Group who can file a lawsuit to claim compensation for Modesto pedestrian accident injuries.
Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accident Cases
There are several reasons for accident victims to act quickly if they believe they will need to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries. Engaging an attorney early in the process can help ensure evidence is preserved and that the case is taken seriously by the involved defendants or insurance companies. The other main reason to seek help early is to ensure that the lawsuit is filed within the statute of limitations.
In Modesto, a pedestrian typically has a two-year window from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries. However, this period may be as little as six months under certain circumstances, such as if a government entity is involved. For example, if a pedestrian was struck by a city bus, he may only have six months to file a lawsuit, or the court could dismiss his claims without a trial. Contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney who can make sure to file the case on time and help improve the chances of recovering damages for injuries.
Determining Damages in Pedestrian Accidents
In Modesto pedestrian collision cases, courts apply the standard of pure comparative fault to determine whether the injured party can receive compensation. Under this standard, an injured party can still receive damages even if they bear some responsibility for the incident. However, the amount of damages awarded will be proportionally reduced based on their degree of fault.
For example, consider a case in which a pedestrian is awarded $100,000 in damages after they are struck by a car. The court rules that the driver of the car was 80% at fault for the accident, but the pedestrian is judged to be 20% at fault. The amount of damages the pedestrian would be able to collect would be reduced to $80,0000.
California personal injury law does not cap damages except in cases involving medical malpractice. In a pedestrian accident case, victims who can prove their claims can expect to recover both economic damages for objective costs, such as doctor visits and hospital bills, as well as non-economic damages for subjective harms, such as pain and suffering.
Contact a Modesto Personal Injury Lawyer for Help With Your Pedestrian Accident
Experiencing a traffic accident as a pedestrian can be devastating. In addition to the pain of physical injuries, you might face stress and worry while managing doctor visits, work, school, or home life. It is essential to have a lawyer you can rely on to support you.
Valero Law Group offers substantial experience representing pedestrians injured in traffic accidents. Contact a personal injury attorney at the firm to make a compensation claim for Modesto pedestrian accident injuries so you can concentrate on your recovery while we manage your legal concerns.
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