Las Vegas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Shook & Stone - Nevada Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Personal Injury
Injuries from a pedestrian accidents are devastating in Las Vegas
With an increasing number of people walking the streets at all hours of the day and night, it is no surprise that the number of accidents involving pedestrians has risen over the years as well. According to statistics released by Safe Kids Worldwide, there has been a 43% increase in pedestrian deaths between 2004 and 2013.
While the majority of pedestrian deaths occur due to intentional or reckless behavior on the part of pedestrians, there are still more cases where a vehicle is at fault for these types of accidents; therefore, it is important to have an experienced and caring attorney fighting for you if you become involved in a traffic accident.
Pedestrian injuries typically stem from one of seven common causes:
- A vehicle is traveling too fast for the road conditions or visibility. This can be especially dangerous to pedestrians if there are sharp curves, a narrow road, or they are walking on an unlit area of a street late at night.
- Failure to yield right of way by turning vehicles.
Speeding vehicles that strike an unsuspecting pedestrian.
Vehicles striking a pedestrian at an intersection. - A vehicle changing lanes and colliding with another vehicle or a pedestrian crossing the street.
- The lack of sidewalks in some areas can also increase the risk of injury to pedestrians, as they may choose to walk in the road instead.
- Drivers behind the wheel of heavy vehicles such as trucks or buses may not see a pedestrian in their path, especially if they are walking along the side of a lane rather than in a crosswalk.
Rights to Compensation When A Pedestrian is Hurt by an Automobile
A devastating result of any pedestrian accident is the high likelihood that you will suffer from some type of injury. Depending on the severity of your injuries, they can range anywhere from mild to severe to even fatal. A dependable attorney could help determine if any compensation should be collected for medical bills and damages incurred as a result of a collision with an automobile or large vehicle, such as a commercial truck.
Other issues to consider would be if you need to recover lost wages that were caused by the collision, especially if you have suffered from long-term disability that keeps you from working as usual. Help may also be needed in seeking compensation for wrongful death of a loved one who was struck and killed by an automobile.
All too often, these types of cases involve neglect on the part of the driver to pay attention or obey traffic laws. The victims and their loved ones may deserve a financial settlement in order to recover from both emotional and physical damages.
Common Types of Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
In the event that you are involved in a pedestrian accident in Las Vegas, you may suffer from any of the following:
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage or bruising
- Head trauma or brain damage
- Lacerations and abrasions to the face and body
- Concussions
- Road burns and road rash
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Neck trauma, fractured or broken vertebrae
- Contusions and bruising to the lungs requiring oxygen treatment
- Broken limbs such as ankles, legs or arms
- Paralysis injuries that may include permanent disability or long-term care needs.
None of these injuries should be taken lightly, especially when the results can leave you suffering from ongoing health issues. An attorney could help determine if there is a need to seek damages to cover any medical bills that were incurred and other expenses relating to your recovery. They would work with the insurance company in
The amount of compensation for your injuries will vary according to the severity and if any long-term disability results. It is important to remember that none of their compensation will be paid unless you have a skilled and experienced attorney fighting for you in court.
Statute of Limitations in Nevada on Pedestrian Accidents
In Nevada, the statute of limitations is two years after the date the plaintiff discovers, or should have discovered, his or her injury. The statute of limitations is the time limit within which an accident victim has to bring a lawsuit.
How Can I Get Compensation for My Pedestrian Accident?
If you or someone that you love has suffered catastrophic injuries as a pedestrian in a collision with an automobile, it is vital to take action right away.
You need the assistance of an attorney who could help determine if there is any type of compensation that should be collected for your injuries and other losses. Without their help, you will not receive the full compensation that you deserve.
Insurance Company Tactics with Pedestrian Accidents
If you were involved in a pedestrian accident, it is vital that an attorney represents your interests in court. Insurance companies will try and get you to settle for less than what you deserve. They will go through their attempts to discredit any type of compensation that should be collected for damages or injuries. You need an experienced lawyer who could help you fight the insurance companies and win.
A dependable attorney will also help you file insurance claims for any medical bills that were incurred. They could assist in determining if there is a need to obtain lost wages due to long-term disability or rehabilitation that was required as a result of the collision with the automobile. If you have suffered emotional damages, they can seek damages for those injuries.
To help you get all of the compensation that you deserve, a good personal injury attorney will file any necessary lawsuits against the responsible driver and their insurance company. This could include damages to cover additional medical bills that were incurred, costs associated with lost wages if you suffered from long-term disability, as well as damages for pain and suffering.
Common Types of Compensation for Damages
The following are examples of financial compensation that may be obtained due to pedestrian accidents:
- Emotional distress and pain and suffering;
- Medical expenses for past, present or future care;
- Lost wages from time off work when injured;
- Pain and suffering from injuries sustained in an accident;
- Future lost wages if long-term disability requires you not to work.
What You Should Do at the Scene of the Pedestrian Accident
- Call 911 and let paramedics know of any injuries. Be honest about how serious they are so first responders can provide the appropriate care as soon as possible. Having them involved early on will help give details about your injuries;
- Contact family members or friends to let them know what happened and that you are injured. Having loved ones close by when you are in distress will help them to know what is going on and how they can provide the necessary support for your recovery;
- Protect yourself from getting hit again or becoming trapped under a vehicle. Stay out of the road if possible until after first responders arrive on scene;
- Exchange any information that you have about the motorist;
- Take photographs of the accident scene and vehicles involved.k.
Things to Remember after a Pedestrian Accident
It is important to remember some key factors following an accident in which you were injured as a pedestrian:
- Seek medical treatment immediately after they occur;
- Avoid being approached by insurance agents;
- Keep all of your medical records and do not throw them out. These records will be vital when you seek compensation for damages and injuries;
- Do not sign any documents that indicate that you are accepting liability for the accident if it was caused by a negligent driver. Accepting these papers can invalidate any future claim against the other party's insurance company.
Nevada Statistics on Pedestrian Accidents
As of 2013, Nevada is ranked 8th in the nation for the most amount of pedestrian deaths. For every 100,000 people living in Nevada, there are 1.73 fatalities from a pedestrian accident each year. From 2003 through 2012, there were 964 pedestrian fatalities that occurred on roads throughout the state. According to statistics gathered by the Nevada Department of Transportation, there are approximately 170 pedestrian collisions that happen every single day throughout the state. That is over half a million people in Nevada who will be involved in these kinds of accidents in their lifetime.
It is estimated that about 30 percent of all vehicle-related deaths occur each year due to a pedestrian accident. This means that one or two people will die each day and approximately 1,500 people will be injured in pedestrian accidents annually. Of all of the pedestrians who are involved in an accident each year, about 200 of those accidents will happen right after school.
Contacting an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Nevada
If you or a loved one was injured as a pedestrian, contact our lawyers at Shook & Stone.
Call (702) 570-0000 or contact us here to help protect your rights and receive the proper compensation that you deserve.
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Las Vegas, NV 89101
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