Were you or a loved one injured in a pedestrian accident in Gretna, Louisiana? If so, the consequences may be devastating. You may be trying to heal from serious injuries or helping your loved one with their basic care. The Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. wants to help you demand the justice and accountability you deserve after someone else’s negligence has harmed you.
We have worked tirelessly to secure meaningful compensation for our clients. We stand beside you in your pursuit of justice. During a free case review, we can explain your legal rights and options. Contact now our law offices in Gretna, Louisiana or call us today at (504) 384-8053 to speak to a knowledgeable Gretna pedestrian accident lawyer.
How the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. Can Help After a Pedestrian Accident in Gretna, LA
Pedestrian accidents often cause catastrophic injuries that completely upend the lives of victims. After such a devastating crash, the last thing you are probably worrying about is a legal claim. Still, you may be left without the compensation necessary to pay your medical expenses and make up lost income without legal assistance. State law limits the amount of time you have to take legal action, further pressuring victims during this challenging time.
A Gretna personal injury lawyer from the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. can handle all the legal aspects of your claim while you focus on recovery, including:
- Investigating the accident and identifying all parties responsible for your injuries
- Gathering evidence to establish fault and legal responsibility for your injuries
- Working with your medical providers to understand and document the full extent of your damages
- Devising a customized legal strategy based on your particular situation
- Protecting your legal rights during every phase of the case
- Providing necessary legal notifications to governmental agencies or other parties
- Handling communication with the insurance company and managing your claim paperwork
- Negotiating for fair compensation
- Representing you in court, if necessary
We have over 30 years of legal experience in Gretna, LA that we leverage to fight for our clients’ best interests. Call us today to arrange an initial legal consultation.
What Is My Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
The nature and severity of your injuries will directly impact the value of your claim. Generally, the more serious the injury, the more compensation you stand to recover because you will likely have more expensive medical bills and more serious consequences stemming from the accident.
Other factors that could impact the value of your personal injury claim include the following:
- The circumstances surrounding your accident
- Who is responsible for your accident and the insurance coverage available
- Whether your injuries caused you to suffer a permanent disability or impairment
- How your injuries affect your ability to work
- The type, expense, and duration of your medical treatment
- How the accident has affected your life
- The extent of your pain and suffering
- Whether you contributed to the accident
Let an experienced attorney evaluate your case and determine its value.
What Financial Compensation Can I Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?
Louisiana law states that when someone else harms another, they are responsible for paying to repair the harm they’ve caused. Pedestrian accident victims can collect economic damages (i.e. medical costs, lost wages, etc.) as well as non-economic damages (pain and suffering, mental anguish, etc.).
Accident victims may be able to recover compensation for the damages they’ve suffered, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Costs for future medical treatment, services, and procedures
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium, service, and society
Our personal injury lawyers can demand the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
How Is My Compensation Affected If I Contributed to the Accident?
In some pedestrian accidents, the pedestrian may share some of the blame. Under Louisiana’s comparative fault law, you can still pursue compensation for the accident if you contributed to the accident as long as someone else’s negligence also played a part. However, your compensation is reduced in proportion to your degree of fault.
For example, if a motorist hit you while you were crossing a street but you were distracted, the jury may determine you were 10% at fault. If you suffered $100,000 in damages, your compensation would be reduced proportionally by 10% or $10,000.
Insurance companies use comparative fault rules to try to reduce victims’ recovery. Because pedestrians often suffer serious injuries and may be taken immediately away from the accident scene, the at-fault driver’s version of events may be the only one that appears on the official police report. Our experienced lawyers can fight to protect you from more fault being attributed to you than is fair under the circumstances.
Common Injuries Pedestrian Accident Victims Suffer
When accidents occur between a vehicle weighing several thousand pounds and a vulnerable pedestrian, severe injuries often result. Accident victims may be thrown onto the hard pavement. They can suffer spinal cord injuries, which can be life-altering and may require long-term care. They can also suffer facial trauma and dental injuries due to the impact with the hard surface.
Pedestrian accidents may suffer traumatic brain injuries if they fall on their head or are thrown into the vehicle. These injuries can cause motor function problems, cognitive impairments, and other complications.
Fractures of the hands, wrists, arms, legs, and ankles are common in these serious accidents. Compound fractures can also occur, which happen when broken bone punctures the skin.
Sadly, many pedestrian accidents result in the victim’s death. According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, 147 pedestrians died in traffic accidents in a recent year. Families may have the option to file a wrongful death claim following deadly accidents.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can occur for various reasons, including:
- Distractions – Drivers may text, talk on cell phones, or otherwise operate their vehicles while distracted. When they are distracted, they have a delayed response, so they may not have enough time to stop in time to avoid a collision with a pedestrian they belatedly noticed.
- Failing to yield the right-of-way – Drivers may disregard a pedestrian’s right-of-way at a crosswalk or other location, endangering the pedestrian’s life.
- Failing to keep a proper lookout – Negligent motorists may fail to keep a lookout for pedestrians and crash into them.
- Disregarding traffic rules – Motorists may run red lights or stop signs, drive around pedestrians in marked crosswalks, or otherwise disregard traffic rules.
- Turning vehicles – Drivers who are turning may not pay attention to pedestrians in crosswalks as they are turning and can collide with pedestrians.
- Construction – Road construction may impede traffic. It can force pedestrians into areas drivers do not expect them to be.
An experienced Gretna personal injury lawyer can investigate your case and determine how your accident happened.
Who Is Responsible for Pedestrian Accidents?
Who is responsible for pedestrian accidents depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Possible parties who could be held liable for these accidents include:
- Motorists who fail to keep a proper lookout and run over pedestrians
- Bicyclists who ride on sidewalks and cause pedestrian falls
- Government entities responsible for dangerous roadway designs or defective traffic signals
- Construction companies that illegally reroute traffic or damage the roadway without placing proper warning signs
An experienced attorney can review your case and identify all at-fault parties.
What Evidence Can Prove Fault in a Pedestrian Accident?
To establish fault in a pedestrian accident, you must show that the defendant owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused you to suffer damages as a result of the accident.
Various pieces of evidence can help establish these legal elements, including the following:
- Accident reports that indicate fault or that someone was cited for violating a traffic law
- Witness statements that support your version of events
- Video footage from nearby traffic cameras, surveillance cameras, or dash cams that recorded the incident
- Photos of the accident scene and factors that could have contributed to the accident
- Electronic records, including event data recorders and cell phone records that reveal important information about the actions leading up to the collision
- Personnel and business records pertinent to the claim
- Reports from accident reconstruction experts that use scientific data to reconstruct the accident
Let our experienced legal team collect the evidence that can help support your claim.
What Is the Deadline to File a Pedestrian Accident Case in Louisiana?
Most personal injury cases in Louisiana are subject to the two-year statute of limitations. You can lose your right to recover compensation if you don’t file a lawsuit within this timeframe. Special notice and time restrictions apply if your personal injury claim is against the government. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can take the necessary legal action to safeguard your legal rights.
Contact Our Gretna Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in an accident a negligent motorist caused, a Gretna pedestrian accident attorney from the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. can help. We can investigate the accident, identify the factors contributing to it, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free case review to explore your legal rights and options.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Gretna, LA
The Law Office of John W Redmann, LLC Gretna
1101 Westbank Expy, Gretna, LA 70053
(504) 384-8053
24/7
