Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Lakeland

Pedestrians in Florida are at the highest risk of any group of pedestrians in the United States, which is not encouraging for people who want to get out and get fresh air on their feet. Even a low-speed collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian can cause catastrophic and life-changing injuries for the pedestrian, while nobody in the vehicle suffers even mild injuries. These accidents can be even more frustrating and upsetting when the driver was acting irresponsibly, and there was nothing that the pedestrian could do to keep safe. In these cases, the victim may be eligible to seek financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Lakeland, contact us today in order to get started on a legal case to get the money that you deserve. We offer a free initial consultation where you can take the opportunity to speak with an experienced legal professional about your accident, the injuries that you sustained in the accident, and learn more about how we can help you get justice in this situation. Read more below about pedestrian accidents in Florida, how we handle them as a personal injury attorney in Lakeland, and how your situation may be handled as either a settlement or court case.

Insurance Settlements for Pedestrian Accidents

As a pedestrian struck by a car, it is likely that you will be dealing with the driver’s insurance company, and directly with an insurance agent who will gather the information required for their investigation and make you a compensation offer. When they give you this offer, they do not want you to realize that this number is negotiable, and will instead try to get you to waive your rights to future legal actions and accept the amount without hesitation. This amount is likely nowhere near the amount that you deserve or are entitled to but is the amount that the insurance company has determined to be the least money they can spend while still protecting themselves and their client from additional problems.

Never accept an offer from an insurance company without consulting with a personal injury attorney. This initial offer is an opening to negotiations, and with the right lawyer representing you, you will be able to make a clear and fair argument for the true amount you deserve. If these negotiations fail to reach an agreement, then your attorney will suggest moving into a full court case, at which point the decision will be up to a judge and jury. If we are able to reach a fair settlement agreement then this will be the best option, since it saves a lot of time while getting you an amount that is fair.

How Much is a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit Worth?

There is no universal amount of money that is awarded for a pedestrian accident since there are so many different variables that go into the final number. Take a look below at some of the most common factors that go into determining damages:

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate victims and their insurance companies for the actual expenses and financial losses that occur after an accident. This includes things like medical expenses and treatment costs, as well as lost wages from time missed during recovery.

In order to compile your economic damages, we will gather all of your measurable expenses and financial losses that are related to your injury and present the insurance company or Florida courts with the total amount. If we expect that you will have future medical expenses, or will require disability payments from long-term injuries, then we will also factor these payments in.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more complicated to estimate than economic damages because there are no receipts and invoices to add together. Instead, these damages seek compensation for the impacts of an accident that do not have simple, measurable financial impacts. This includes things like the actual pain and suffering of the injuries, or the mental anguish that comes with a serious accident. In addition, these damages can include depression from not being able to pursue your hobbies or fear of going out walking again after being struck by a vehicle.

Most commonly, these damages are calculated using something called a “multiplier.” This multiplier is a numerical representation of the severity and impact that these damages have had on a victim’s life that is simple to understand. The multiplier is applied to the economic damages to determine the dollar value being sought after. If a multiplier of 3x is applied to $100,000 of economic damages, the non-economic damages sought in the case will be $300,000, in addition to the $100,000 of economic damages for a total of $400,000 in compensatory damages.

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident in or around Lakeland, contact us today for your free consultation and to learn more about the legal options that you have as a victim. It is extremely important that you do this before you agree to any terms with an insurance company, to ensure that you leave your options open while determining the most appropriate course of action for your situation.

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