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How a Little Rock Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

A pedestrian accident can be a life-changing event. Not only can it result in injuries, but it can also lead to expensive medical bills and lost income.

If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident, it is crucial to seek the help of an experienced Little Rock personal injury attorney. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and fight for the compensation you deserve. In addition, an attorney can help you understand your rights and options and work with you to develop a plan for moving forward.

From the start, your Little Rock personal injury attorney can gather evidence and interview witnesses to build a strong case and maximize the chances of success.

Secondly, they can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, ensuring you receive the total compensation to which you are entitled.

Finally, they can represent you in court if necessary. When you hire a personal injury lawyer in Little Rock, you will have someone on your side with experience dealing with the legal system and who knows how to get the best possible outcome for your case.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, then a personal injury attorney can help you to get the compensation and justice you deserve.

What to do After a Pedestrian Accident

After a pedestrian accident, taking key steps is essential to ensure safety and protect your legal rights.

If you can, move to the side of the road and out of the path of oncoming traffic.

Then, call 911 and wait for medical assistance to arrive.

Once the police have arrived, give officers a complete and accurate account of what happened.

Exchange information with the driver. This includes contact and insurance information. If there are any witnesses, be sure to get their contact information.

Take photos of the scene of the accident, including any damage to property or injuries sustained.

In the days following the accident, it is essential to keep track of any medical costs you incur due to the accident and any time you miss work.

Consider consulting an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options.

Taking these steps after a pedestrian accident can help maximize your chances of recovering damages.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Many different factors can contribute to pedestrian accidents. In urban areas, busy streets and large crowds can make it difficult for pedestrians to cross safely. Cars speeding or making sudden turns can also make it hard for pedestrians to react quickly.

In rural areas, poor visibility is the cause of many pedestrian accidents. Drivers may not be able to see pedestrians walking along the side of the road, particularly at night or in bad weather. Pedestrians wearing dark clothing are also less visible at night.

Other common causes of pedestrian accidents include

By understanding the common causes of pedestrian accidents, drivers and pedestrians can take steps to reduce the risk of a collision.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

While any accident has the potential to cause injuries, pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to serious harm. When a car hits a pedestrian, the pedestrian is often thrown to the ground, causing them to hit their head or sustain other blunt force trauma injuries.

Pedestrians are also more likely to suffer from broken bones and soft tissue damage, as they have nothing to protect them from the impact of a collision. In addition, pedestrians are at risk of being hit by flying debris or pinned under a vehicle, which can cause crush injuries.

While some pedestrian accident injuries can be minor, others can be life-threatening or even fatal. Here are some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries:

Who Is Liable for Pedestrian Accidents?

In a car accident, you can determine fault by investigating who was responsible for causing the collision. A thorough investigation may include witness testimony, physical evidence, and dashcam or security footage.

Generally speaking, the driver is considered at fault if they were speeding, tailgating, running a red light, or driving recklessly.

If the pedestrians were jaywalking or not paying attention to their surroundings, they might be liable.

In some cases, both parties may share partial fault for the accident. For example, if the driver was speeding, but the pedestrian suddenly darted out into the street without looking, both parties would share liability.

Ultimately, fault is determined case-by-case by investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Proving Negligence in Pedestrian Accident Claims

When a car driver hits a pedestrian, the first question that usually comes to mind is, “who was at fault?”

In many pedestrian accidents, the driver is liable because drivers must exercise a duty of care to ensure the safety of pedestrians. In most cases, this duty of care is breached when a driver fails to yield the right of way or safely operate their vehicle.

You must show that the driver’s negligence caused the accident when proving liability. Your attorney can identify witnesses, review surveillance footage, or analyze police reports. Sometimes, your injury lawyer may use expert testimony to establish negligence.

However, even if there is no direct evidence of negligence, your lawyer can still help you file a claim to seek compensation.

By gathering evidence and building a solid case, a lawyer can help to prove that the driver was at fault for the accident and secure compensation for the client.

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Arkansas Pedestrian Laws

Arkansas has many pedestrian laws to help keep walkers safe. AR Code §27-52-1201 states that all pedestrians in Arkansas must follow the traffic rules. This includes waiting for a green light or crossing at a marked crosswalk.

Pedestrians must yield to all oncoming traffic when attempting to cross a street outside the crosswalk. Car drivers, however, must use caution and avoid hitting pedestrians even when drivers have the right of way.

Understanding Arkansas Negligence Laws

  • In many personal injury cases, the question of who is at fault is unclear. This is where the doctrine of modified comparative negligence comes into play.
  • Arkansas is a modified comparative negligence state. What does this mean for injured pedestrians? It means that if you are 50% or more responsible for the accident, you cannot recover compensation for your injuries.
  • For example, let’s say that you get hit while crossing the street. The driver was speeding and not paying attention. However, you are found to be 20% at fault for the accident because you were not crossing at a crosswalk. In this case, you would still be able to recover damages from the other driver, but your award would be reduced by 20%.

What is the Statute of Limitations on Pedestrian Accidents in Arkansas

In Arkansas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. If you are hit by a car while walking, you have three years to file a lawsuit against the driver.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. For example, if the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations may get extended. If the victim dies from the accident, their family may also have more time to file a wrongful death claim.

If you suffered an injury in an Arkansas pedestrian accident, you must speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. Your attorney can examine the details of your case and help you choose the best legal path for you.

Damages in Pedestrian Accident Cases

When a pedestrian gets hit by a car, they can claim many damages in the resulting accident case. These can include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

Economic damages have a specific monetary value attached to them and include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.

Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify but can still be significant. These damages can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In some cases, the courts may award punitive damages – although this is rare in personal injury cases. Punitive damages punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct. They are typically only available in cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious.

By working with an experienced personal injury attorney, pedestrian accident victims can ensure that their potential damages are calculated correctly and pursued.

When evaluating a pedestrian accident case, it is vital to consider these different types of damages. By doing so, you can obtain full compensation for your losses and ensure that justice is served.

We’re Taking Care of Arkansas.

This is our home, and we want to ensure our neighbors and friends are supported. After being hurt in a accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed and confused. You might wonder how you will pay your medical bills or if your insurance will cover your lost wages. You don’t have to face these challenges alone. We can help you navigate the legal system and get the compensation you deserve.

With eight offices in Arkansas - Little Rock, Little Rock-Corporate Hill, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Jonesboro—our personal injury lawyers are easily accessible when you need help.

We’re here to help.

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