Probably you have been a victim of an unfortunate car accident; you are not alone. Each year, thousands of pedestrians are killed, and thousands suffer from long-term injuries that are caused by auto crashing. These types of accidents happen for two major reasons. For instance, the accident can be caused by the pedestrian, due to lack of safety precaution and carelessness; second, it may be caused by motorist’s negligence of safety, traffic violation, or a car accident.
Causes of Accidents
Recent statistics from Houston pedestrian accidents attorneys show that senior citizens and children are the most victims of pedestrian accidents. The following are some of the factors that cause accidents:
- A pre-occupied or inattentive driver
- Over-speeding of the vehicle or failure to adhere to limits that are set on a given road
- Failure to stop at the designated pedestrian crossings
- A driver busy with other things while driving such as using the phone
- A drunk driver who has exceeded the allowed alcohol limit
Common Injuries
There are also other factors that could result in a pedestrian accident. The driver can not control these factors. They include weather conditions, other motorists, and road conditions. A pedestrian accident may result in a wide range of injuries, from serious to minor ones. The following are the common injuries most pedestrians suffer as a result of a pedestrian accident:
- Permanent disability
- Fractured or broken bones
- Head injuries
- Temporary incapacitation
- Disfigurement
- Brain injuries and damage
- Death
- Mental distress
Harm and injuries sustained in the pedestrian accidents can easily be recovered. The law allows injured victims to seek legal redress for damages and injuries from the negligent parties. Unfortunately, not all victims get what they deserve. This is because most victims or their concerned relatives abandon their claims. This is the case when a victim dies.
The process of pursuing compensation in a pedestrian accident can be quite complicated. This is because it involves a lot of people. For instance, police are required to gather evidence or eyewitnesses to give their account. Moreover, you need the services of other professionals such as attorneys, experts, and doctors.
How to Improve Settlement
The following are some of the ways you can improve the settlement of your claim:
- Hire a professional investigator who can gather and even preserve your evidence to be presented in court
- Hire an experienced and skilled pedestrian accident lawyer
- Get the copy of police accident report
- Get written or recorded accounts of accidents from the witnesses
- Document all your medical reports
