Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Madison, WI Working Hard to Be Your Advocate
The amount of pedestrian accidents that occur daily in Wisconsin is staggering. No one is immune to these accidents, and they can have devastating results. Elderly adults and children are some of the most common victims of these types of accidents.
So what can you do if you or a loved one were involved in a pedestrian accident? You have options to protect yourself and your family moving forward. Let an experienced Madison pedestrian accident attorney walk you through the following steps and learn more about what you can do to continue to provide for your family. Contact our office at (608) 448-6242 to speak with a knowledgeable and compassionate attorney.
What are Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Madison?
If you haven’t experienced a pedestrian accident before, it can be tough to understand how these can happen so commonly. Some of the most common accidents occur due to a pedestrian walking or jogging and being struck by a vehicle. Drivers don’t always give pedestrians enough room on the roads, which can cause them not to leave themselves enough time to react if the walker/jogger changes directions or doesn’t see them quickly enough.
Drivers often choose not to yield to pedestrians while crossing busy intersections or stepping off buses or other public transportation. Even pedestrians in crosswalks aren’t always safe from accidents.
Some drivers don’t see the pedestrian until it is too late. This can be caused by either distracted driving, speeding, or the driver’s intoxication. Whatever the reason, a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian can have serious consequences.
Am I Able to Pursue Compensation for Injuries Sustained?
Financial stress after an accident can quickly become overwhelming. Not only do you need to seek medical care to heal your injuries, but you will likely miss work. This can create mounting bills with less income to pay for them, creating the perfect storm for financial stress.
It is essential to document the medical bills you have acquired and the lost wages to fight for compensation. Your experienced injury attorney from Wisconsin can help you to gather and calculate this so that you can seek damages. It is also essential to estimate if there is a loss of future wages due to the injuries causing the victim to no longer perform their duties at work as they were before the accident. For example, if you were once able to require a higher wage and now, due to your injuries, need to settle for a less demanding position that also pays less, you may be entitled to compensation to bridge that gap.
What is Comparative Fault?
In Wisconsin, even if you are partially to blame for an accident that occurred, you may still be entitled to compensation. The total damages are calculated, and the estimate of your responsibility for the accident is based on a percentage. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for the cause of the accident, your compensation would be lessened by 20% of the total damages awarded. If the victim is found to be more than 50% at fault, they are typically unable to seek damages.
What Should I do if I’m Involved in a Pedestrian Accident?
As with any accident, the first and most important thing is to seek medical care. Some injuries present with mild symptoms in the beginning and later can develop into something significantly more severe. It is best to have a professional examine you to determine what may be wrong and prevent further damage.
It is in your best interest to speak with an experienced attorney about the facts surrounding your case. Not every accident is worthy of seeking compensation, but generally speaking, if you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident, you may want to seek compensation. A knowledgeable attorney can guide you to the following steps: help you gather evidence, begin to work on the case while you are seeking medical attention, and help ease your mind. You don’t have to go through this phase of your life alone. Contact our office today at (608) 448-6242 to answer your specific questions and learn how we can best help you and your family move forward.