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Pedestrian accidents often result in life-altering injuries, leading to overwhelming medical expenses, lost income, and lasting physical and emotional distress. The aftermath of being struck by a vehicle can be daunting, especially when dealing with insurance companies and legal complexities.
If you were hit by a car in St. Louis, having an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer on your side is essential. Goldblatt + Singer understands the challenges victims face and is committed to helping you pursue compensation for your losses while holding the at-fault party accountable. Call our St. Louis motor vehicle accident attorneys at (314) 231-4100 or contact us online to discuss your case and protect your rights.
Missouri pedestrian injury laws exist to protect people walking near roads, but getting fair compensation after an accident isn’t always easy. Insurance companies quickly defend their interests, often trying to downplay injuries or blame the victim. A skilled St. Louis pedestrian accident attorney can make sure your case is taken seriously. Here’s how they help:
With the right legal representation, you can focus on healing while your attorney fights for the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights:
Acting quickly can improve your chances of securing fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Pedestrian accidents happen for a lot of reasons, but here are some of the most common ones:
Understanding these common causes can help raise awareness and promote safer streets, but if you’ve been injured due to a driver’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses.
Who is responsible for a pedestrian accident? The driver is at fault in most cases, but liability isn’t always clear-cut. Missouri follows a comparative fault system, meaning your compensation could be reduced if you are partially responsible for the accident. For instance, you might share some liability if you were jaywalking, crossing against a signal, or distracted while walking. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a case. A skilled pedestrian accident lawyer can investigate the circumstances, determine fault, and fight to maximize your compensation. Legal guidance is essential to protect your rights and hold the responsible party accountable for your injuries.
Liability in a St. Louis pedestrian accident depends on the specific actions of both the driver and the pedestrian. If a driver was speeding, ran a stop sign, or was impaired by drugs or alcohol, they would likely be held responsible. However, external factors can also play a role. Poorly maintained sidewalks, broken traffic signals, or obstructed road signs could shift some liability to a government entity or property owner. Additionally, defective brakes or malfunctioning vehicle systems might make a car manufacturer partially responsible. A pedestrian accident lawyer can investigate these factors to determine all liable parties.
If you’ve been hit by a car on a crosswalk or anywhere else in St. Louis, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Beyond covering medical costs and lost income, compensation in a pedestrian accident case can extend to long-term financial and personal losses. If your injuries result in a permanent disability, you may be entitled to money for reduced earning capacity and ongoing medical care. Emotional trauma, including anxiety, PTSD, or diminished quality of life, may also be factored into your settlement.
Additionally, if the accident prevents you from engaging in hobbies or daily activities you once enjoyed, loss of enjoyment of life could be included in your claim. A pedestrian accident attorney from Goldblatt + Singer can assess all possible damages and fight for fair compensation.
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a pedestrian accident allows five years from the accident date for the injured person to file a lawsuit against the party who hurt them. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to seek compensation. The sooner you take action, the better your chances are to build a strong case and recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
However, certain factors could shorten or extend these deadlines. For example, you may face a much shorter filing window if the accident involved a government vehicle or entity. Conversely, exceptions may apply if the victim was a minor or the injuries weren’t immediately apparent. Consulting a pedestrian accident attorney early on ensures you don’t miss important deadlines or legal opportunities.
Dealing with insurance companies after a pedestrian accident can be frustrating and overwhelming. Even if the driver was clearly at fault, their insurance company may try to minimize your claim or pressure you into accepting a low settlement. If the driver is uninsured or underinsured, recovering compensation becomes even more complicated. A pedestrian accident lawyer understands these tactics and can handle negotiations on your behalf, ensuring you aren’t taken advantage of. With legal representation, you can secure the full and fair compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Our clients bring questions when they visit for the first time. Here are answers to the ones we most often hear.
Filing an insurance claim after a pedestrian accident involves more than just submitting paperwork. It requires proving liability, calculating damages, and pushing back against low settlement offers. Insurance adjusters often look for ways to shift blame onto the pedestrian or downplay the severity of injuries.
The process becomes even more complicated if multiple insurance policies are involved, such as the driver’s liability coverage and your own uninsured/underinsured motorist policy. Having a pedestrian accident attorney ensures that all responsible parties are held accountable and that insurance companies don’t take advantage of you during the claims process.
Sometimes, insurance companies refuse to offer a fair settlement, leaving legal action as the only option to recover the compensation you deserve. A pedestrian accident lawyer can file a lawsuit if negotiations fail and aggressively fight for your rights. This process involves gathering critical evidence, such as accident reports and medical records, interviewing witnesses, consulting experts, and building a strong case. Your attorney will present your case in court to hold the responsible party accountable if necessary. Legal representation improves your chances of securing maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
While most pedestrian accident claims are settled through negotiations, some cases require litigation. A trial may be necessary if the insurance company refuses to accept liability, disputes the severity of your injuries, or makes an unreasonably low settlement offer. Both sides present evidence, expert testimony, and witness statements during a trial before a judge or jury decides the outcome. While going to court may seem overwhelming, having an experienced pedestrian accident attorney ensures you are fully prepared. They will handle all legal proceedings, advocate for your best interests, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Most pedestrian accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything upfront or out of pocket. Instead of hourly billing or retainer fees, your lawyer only gets paid if they win your case. Their fee is a percentage of your settlement or court award, so there’s no financial risk in seeking legal help. This ensures you can access quality representation without worrying about immediate legal costs.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in St. Louis, don’t wait to take action. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to gather evidence, prove liability, and secure full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Insurance companies will try to minimize your claim—don’t let them. Contact Goldblatt + Singer today for a free consultation and let our experienced attorneys fight for the compensation you deserve. Visit our website now and fill out the contact form or call us at (314) 231-4100 to get started. Your path to justice begins with a straightforward step.