Injuries from pedestrian accidents can be severe and have long-lasting effects on a victim’s life. While victims have the right to hold negligent parties accountable for their losses, obtaining full compensation can be much more challenging than most people expect.

While it might seem obvious that the driver who hit you should be liable for your losses, insurance companies can make the process difficult. Many people who try to handle their own claims end up with much less compensation than they need for full financial support.

This is where a pedestrian accident lawyer comes in. The right attorney will assess your case and advise on your best legal options. If you hire a law firm, your Steamboat Springs pedestrian accident attorney will handle every step of your claim while you can focus on healing from your injuries.

Injured Pedestrians Can Have Costly Losses

Pedestrian accidents can result in devastating injuries and, therefore, substantial financial losses for the victims. Pedestrians have little protection against the impact of a vehicle, which means the injuries sustained in such accidents are often severe.

These injuries can include:

• Multiple broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Crush injuries
• Internal organ damage

These injuries usually require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. The economic and non-economic losses from these injuries can quickly add up, placing a significant financial burden on the victim and their family.

High Medical Bills

The medical bills from treating serious traumatic injuries from a pedestrian accident can be astronomical. From emergency medical care to surgeries, hospital stays, specialist appointments, and rehabilitative therapy, the costs can quickly escalate to an unmanageable level for most households.

In addition to the immediate medical expenses, there may be ongoing medical needs or the need for future surgeries and treatments, as many pedestrians have permanently disabling injuries.

Dealing with these high medical bills can be overwhelming, especially when you are already dealing with the physical and emotional aftermath of the accident. You need to seek compensation for every penny of your past and future medical care, and a pedestrian lawyer can ensure this happens.

Lost Income

Pedestrian accidents often result in the victim being out of work for some time or, in some cases, permanently. The lengthy recovery process can require you to take time off work or change careers altogether.

This can lead to a loss of income and financial instability for you and your family. The lost earnings can make it difficult to cover your daily expenses, medical bills, and other financial obligations.

Further, if you cannot return to your work in the future, your pedestrian accident lawyer can calculate the value of your future earning capacity, which is a complicated task.

Pain and Suffering

In addition to physical injuries and financial losses, pedestrian accident victims also endure significant pain and suffering. Trauma from the accident, the emotional toll of injuries, physical pain, and the stress of dealing with the aftermath are effects you should never overlook.

Every pedestrian accident victim must consider the non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, when seeking compensation for their injuries.

These intangible losses are much more challenging to calculate and prove to insurance companies, but a pedestrian accident lawyer has done this many times over.

Consulting and Hiring a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Costs Nothing Out-of-Pocket

One of the misconceptions about hiring a pedestrian accident attorney is the cost. Many people assume they cannot afford a lawyer, especially after the financial strain of the accident.

However, most pedestrian accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only charge fees if they successfully recover compensation for you. This fee is typically a percentage of the settlement or court award, ensuring you do not have to pay anything out-of-pocket.

This fee arrangement allows injury victims facing financial stress to access legal representation.

Insurance Companies Take Advantage of Unrepresented Pedestrian Claimants

Insurance companies regularly use many tactics to minimize payouts to accident victims. If you handle your pedestrian accident claim without an attorney, insurance companies will enjoy a massive advantage. They may pressure you into accepting a low settlement offer or use your lack of legal knowledge against you.

A pedestrian accident attorney protects your interests and ensures you do not accept less-than-fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Time is Short; Consult a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Now

After a pedestrian accident, time is of the essence. There are deadlines and statutes of limitations that limit how long you have to file a claim. Consult a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible so you do not miss any important deadlines. They will begin addressing the legal process right away when necessary.

After serious injuries as a pedestrian, you may have many uncertainties. However, a pedestrian accident attorney can immediately clear up many of your questions and concerns in an initial consultation. You can gain significant peace of mind by scheduling a free case evaluation and having a trusted professional oversee the legal process for you.

Don’t wait; contact a Steamboat Springs personal injury attorney near you to discuss your case today.