Accidents that involve pedestrians and motor vehicles can cause severe injuries, even at low rates of speed. Despite a law that fines drivers if they hit vulnerable road users like pedestrians, the number of accidents continues to increase in Connecticut.
Negligence is often a factor when a motor vehicle and a pedestrian collide. If you were injured while walking or running and someone else’s negligence was a contributing factor in the accident, monetary damages might be available to you with the help of a Bridgeport pedestrian accident lawyer. A dedicated personal injury attorney like George W. Ganim, Jr. can review your case and determine whether pursuing damages is viable in your particular circumstances.
Damages Offer Compensation for Losses
When someone else’s negligence was a primary cause of a pedestrian accident, economic and non-economic damages could be available. Economic damages compensate the person for out-of-pocket expenses like medical bills, lost time at work, or vacation and sick time that they had to use while recovering from their injuries. Economic damages can also provide payment for lost future earnings and the projected cost of ongoing medical care.
Non-economic damages attempt to compensate for the subjective losses associated with being injured, such as pain and suffering. Depending on the circumstances, non-economic damage payments could also be available for mental distress and anguish, scarring and disfigurement, permanent loss of function of a body part, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium.
When calculating on their own, injured pedestrians often underestimate their losses. A pedestrian collision lawyer from the area can help them identify the true cost of their injuries and losses.
Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accidents
Connecticut sets the statute of limitations for personal injury cases at two years from the date of the injury.
The threat of a personal injury suit could be used as leverage when negotiating a settlement with insurance companies. This is something an injured person needs to keep in mind so they do not let that time period expire. An astute attorney can take all necessary steps to ensure that the injured pedestrian is protected and does not lose the right to bring a lawsuit.
Special Rules for Government Defendants
There are times when a municipality or other governmental entity is potentially liable in a civil case. This can happen if there is a defect in the roadway or sidewalk that caused the accident. Another common example of when a municipality or other governmental entity may be held liable is when a governmental employee while in the course of employment strikes a pedestrian with a vehicle.
Claims against governmental entities are more complicated as it requires the injured person to take speedy action. The injured person must file a notice of claim with the liable governmental entity within a short period of time. Failure to file will result in the claim being time barred.
Connecticut General Statutes §13a-149 says that if the injured pedestrian believes that a defective sidewalk, road, or bridge contributed to their accident, they have only 90 days from the date of injury to file a notice of claim with whichever unit of government is responsible for maintaining it. If an injured pedestrian intends to file suit against a municipality due to the negligence of one of its employees, they must file a notice of claim with that municipality within six months of the accident. An experienced pedestrian crash attorney in Bridgeport can ensure that the appropriate notices are timely filed to preserve an injured person’s right to sue.
Seek Help from a Bridgeport Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Pursuing damages in an injury case requires skill, knowledge and tenacity. Insurance companies will take advantage of people who do not know the legal nuances, so it is critical to have a legal professional such as Attorney George W. Ganim, Jr. working on your behalf.
A no-obligation consultation with a Bridgeport pedestrian accident lawyer can ease your mind and let you know what you might reasonably expect from a lawsuit. Call the office today to schedule an appointment.