Thousands of people in the United States suffer injuries or lose their lives in pedestrian accidents. Many of these are the result of auto-pedestrian collisions, while others occur due to property defects. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, you may, according to the laws of Louisiana, be entitled to seek compensation for any losses you have experienced.
Auto-pedestrian accident causes
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 5,000 people die in auto-pedestrian accidents every year. Thousands more suffer injuries in such incidents. Following a pedestrian accident, there will be an investigation of the driver’s actions in order to determine if negligent behavior contributed to the crash. Such actions include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Disregarding traffic conditions
- Disregarding weather conditions
- Not following traffic signals or signs
Property defect pedestrian accidents causes
Walking either as a main mode of transportation, exercise or just to get out and about is a big part of everyday life. Unfortunately, unsafe property conditions have led to thousands suffering injuries simply by walking. Examples of unsafe property conditions include:
- Parking lot defect
- Poor sidewalk maintenance
- Debris left on walkways
Who can be held responsible following a pedestrian accident?
It depends on how the accident occurred, but those responsible could include drivers, property owners or – in cases involving comparative negligence – even the pedestrian him or herself. The specific details of your case will determine who may be deemed liable.
Do I have the right to seek compensation through legal means?
Possibly. Again, it all depends on the facts of your specific case. An experienced attorney will be able to review your case and help you decide if legal action is appropriate.
Time is of the essence
Louisiana residents who have been injured or lost loved ones in pedestrian accidents may be entitled to seek damages in civil court. However, statutes of limitations do apply to both personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. This simply means that if you want to take legal action, you must do it in a certain time frame. If you wait too long, you may lose your chance.
After a pedestrian accident, you can turn to an experienced attorney to help you seek any compensation to which you may be entitled. While pursuing civil actions can take time, if doing so is successful, you may achieve maximum relief in the form of a monetary judgment.
