Springfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Just because you choose to travel on foot does not mean you do not have the right to travel safely. If you have been hurt in an accident where you were traveling as a pedestrian, you can use the courts to hold the offending party responsible.

Instead of living the rest of your life with the consequences of your injury, fight back against the person whose irresponsibility and negligence affected you so deeply. The first step is to contact a Springfield personal injury lawyer to begin discussing the accident and build a personal injury case.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

There are lots of ways to get injured when a person is walking on the road. Not every cause of injury qualifies that person to file a personal injury suit. The smart strategy is to only pursue a claim that has a reasonable chance of leading to a financial settlement, which requires a careful knowledge of the kinds of incidents that commonly cause pedestrians to get injured.

• Failing to yield to a pedestrian who is legally crossing the road
• Failing to drive the speed limit and putting pedestrians at risk
• Creating distractions behind the wheel like texting while driving or checking one’s appearance in the mirror
• Driving while intoxicated on drugs or alcohol
• Failing to properly maintain a car causing it to malfunction on the road and put pedestrians at risk
• Failing to properly maintain roads in a way that puts pedestrians at risk

In the wake of any kind of roadway injury, contacting a Springfield pedestrian accident attorney is recommended. A legal expert will be able to determine if an accident was caused by the reckless disregard of someone else and devise the most effective way to pursue a financial settlement.

Exemptions to Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians have rights on roadways. But they also have responsibilities. A pedestrian can be determined to be at fault for their accident if they are walking beside the road in an unsafe way. In most instances, that will disqualify the injured pedestrian from a successful personal injury suit. Here are some instances where the person on foot bears some or all of the responsibility:

• When a traffic signal or other official communication is ignored
• When someone is jaywalking, or crossing the road diagonally
• When someone crosses the road outside of the crosswalk
• When someone walks along a high-speed thoroughfare putting themselves at an obvious risk
• When a person fails to use a sidewalk when one is available
• When the pedestrian is intoxicated

Working With a Springfield Accident Attorney

These circumstances make it harder to file a personal injury claim. But they do not make it impossible. Even if the pedestrian bears some responsibility, the negligence of the driver could be such that the court still awards a financial settlement. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Springfield is the best source to consult in the wake of any kind of incident on the road.

If you are awarded a financial settlement, the money can be used to pay for your medical bills, cover the cost of long-term care, make up for lost wages and income, and recoup some quality of life.

If you have been hurt and feel entitled to a settlement, contact an experienced Springfield pedestrian accident attorney at your earliest convenience.