Walking can be great for your physical and mental health. However, even if you’re walking on a sidewalk or a neighborhood street, there’s still a chance that you’ll be struck by a vehicle and seriously hurt. You shouldn’t be forced to handle by yourself the consequences of an accident you didn’t cause. The right representation makes all the difference in any injury case. And when it comes to Nassau County pedestrian accidents, lawyers from Tucker Lawyers are ready to help.
Accidents that are seemingly minor for drivers can lead to devastating injuries for pedestrians. If you’ve been injured by a reckless or negligent driver, the right attorney may be able to help you recover compensation.
Why Choose Us?
In any personal injury case, the stakes are high. You may be facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills or looking at the possibility of lifelong disability. Fair compensation can make your situation more manageable, but if you can’t collect any financial assistance, you could end up with a lot of trouble going forward. While not the only factor in the success of your case, your choice of attorney has a significant impact. Here are a few reasons to consider working with Tucker Lawyers:
- We have 30+ years of experience in personal injury law.
- We have recovered millions for our injured clients.
- Our founder previously worked as an insurance attorney, so we’re familiar with the tactics insurance companies use.
- We’re proud members of our local community and give back through scholarships and philanthropy.
- We’re committed to your success, and we don’t treat you like just a number.
You don’t have to take our word for it — our reviews from countless happy clients speak for themselves.
What Kinds of Compensation Can You Recover in a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit?
Money can’t undo your accident. It also can’t make you instantly heal from your injuries. However, a pedestrian accident settlement can help cover expenses and compensate you for mental and physical pain. These are some of the losses you might be able to recover compensation for:
Medical Expenses
For many people on the fence about filing a personal injury lawsuit, the high medical cost of serious injuries is what finally convinces them to do so. If you do recover compensation, it may cover your existing medical bills. However, some injuries may require ongoing care, and the cost of that care can add up quickly. Your attorney may be able to estimate the total cost of future medical treatment and advocate for you to receive compensation for it.
Lost Income
In nearly every case, a serious injury will leave you unable to work, at least temporarily. Loss of income can cause significant financial stress, and that stress may be amplified if you’re dealing with the accumulation of medical bills. Compensation for personal injury cases will usually include payment for both past and future lost wages. In many instances, you can also be compensated for loss of earning potential. For example, if you are hit by a car and suffer a brain injury, you may be forced to take a lower-paying job. In this situation, you could be compensated for the difference between what you earn now and what you would have earned had you not been injured.
Pain and Suffering
“Pain and suffering” is a blanket term for many kinds of non-economic damages or compensation for intangible losses like physical pain, emotional pain, and loss of enjoyment of life. Valuing pain and suffering is not always straightforward. However, personal injury attorneys, courts, and insurance companies often value them using something called the multiplier method. It involves adding up all of your economic losses (like medical bills) and multiplying them by a factor of 1.5 to 5. Typically, the more serious and life-altering your injuries, the higher the multiplier.
For example, imagine that you are hit by a car and have $100,000 in medical bills and lost wages. You have several broken bones, but because you’re expected to fully recover, the court settles on a multiplier of two. In this case, your compensation for pain and suffering would be $200,000, and your total compensation would come to $300,000.
Considering a pedestrian accident lawsuit? Let us help you understand your options. Call (516) 399-2364 to schedule your free consultation.
Understanding the Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit Process
We’ll Be With You Every Step of the Way
Unless you’ve been through personal injury cases before, the process of filing a lawsuit can seem convoluted. Here’s a look at what to expect:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
Personal injury lawyers can’t handle every claim they come across. The best way to tell whether you have a viable case is by booking a free consultation. During this meeting, an attorney will discuss your situation with you and help you understand your options.
Step 2: Investigating Your Case
If the attorney agrees to represent you, the first step in your case is to gather evidence such as the following:
- The police report for your accident
- Traffic camera or dashcam footage of the accident
- Testimony from accident reconstruction experts
- Statements from witnesses
- Your medical records
- Testimony from your doctors.
Part of evidence collection is keeping track of accident-related expenses to help your lawyer accurately calculate your damages. Make sure you hold onto medical bills, receipts for medication, and any other expense records.
Step 3: Filing the Lawsuit and Negotiating With the Insurance Company
Once your attorney has gathered all the necessary evidence, they can put together a lawsuit and file it on your behalf. Most personal injury lawsuits settle outside of court, so your attorney will likely try to negotiate a fair settlement. Going to court is stressful and expensive, so it’s almost always in the best interests of both parties to settle. Despite that fact, it sometimes proves impossible to reach an agreement. In those situations, cases may need to be decided in court.
Step 4: Going to Court if Needed
When personal injury lawsuits don’t settle, they are decided in a civil trial. Civil trials have many similarities to criminal trials; both sides present evidence, call and cross-examine witnesses, and argue their cases before the court. If the court rules that the at-fault driver is liable for your injuries, it will order the driver’s insurance company to pay you a certain amount. However, if the court determines that the driver is not liable, you won’t receive any compensation at all.
FAQ
If you’re like many of our clients, this may be your first time interacting with the legal system. Here are the answers to some questions our new clients often ask:
How much is my pedestrian accident case worth?
Just like any other personal injury claim, a wide range of factors can contribute to the value of a pedestrian accident case. To truly know what yours could be worth, you need to consult with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer.
Is it expensive to work with a lawyer?
No, and working with us comes at no risk to you. Initial consultations are free, and if we take your case, you pay absolutely nothing unless we recover compensation for you. If we are able to negotiate a settlement, you agree to pay us a certain percentage of your payout.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit?
In New York, you typically have three years (starting on the day of the accident) to file a pedestrian accident or other personal injury lawsuit. However, to make sure you have enough time to prepare and file a case, you should get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible.
How long will it take to receive compensation?
That depends on several factors. However, generally speaking, relatively straightforward cases that settle out of court may take as little as several months to resolve. If your case goes to trial, especially if it involves catastrophic injuries, it could take years to finalize.
Can’t I just represent myself?
Technically speaking, you can. There’s no law requiring you to have a lawyer when filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit. However, in virtually every situation, an attorney can help you recover more compensation than you could receive on your own.
What if I was partially to blame for the accident?
Thanks to New York’s comparative negligence laws, you can still receive compensation if you contributed to the accident. However, the total amount you get will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
It’s easy to feel alone in the aftermath of a serious accident, but our team is here for you. If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Get in Touch With Our Nassau County Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
The Committed Representation You Deserve
You’ve already been a victim in your accident — don’t let the insurance company re-victimize you. While nothing can completely guarantee the outcome of a pedestrian accident case, having the help of an experienced attorney can substantially increase your likelihood of a favorable outcome. The Tucker Lawyers team has been dedicated to helping injured New Yorkers stand up to insurance companies for decades. We’re ready to put our experience to work for you.
Injured in a pedestrian accident? The sooner you get in touch, the sooner we can start working on your case. Call us at (516) 399-2364 to request your free consultation today.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]