Raleigh Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
When a driver strikes a pedestrian, the person who was walking may be killed or seriously injured from the force of the impact. Drivers have a legal obligation to operate their vehicles in a safe way in order to ensure crashes don’t happen. When a driver is intoxicated, speeding, distracted, or otherwise behaves carelessly, the risk of a crash is significantly increased. The driver who was irresponsible needs to pay for the costs of any accident they cause because North Carolina aims to ensure victims are compensated for all harms.
While walkers or family members of pedestrians are entitled to compensation for damages, legal action must be taken for collision victims to get the money they need. A Raleigh pedestrian accidents attorney at Auger & Auger can provide legal representation to those who have been hurt or have lost a loved one. We will take care of all steps involved in making your case for compensation so you can focus on recovery and moving on with your life after the crash.
When is a Driver Responsible for a Raleigh Pedestrian Accident?
A driver has a duty of care to pedestrians on the road. The driver must obey all traffic safety rules, including yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks and stopping at stop signs and red lights. When a driver breaks a traffic law, this creates the presumption the driver is negligent. If a pedestrian crash victim or victim’s family can show driver negligence was the direct cause of an accident, the victim can recover compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Even when a driver does not break the rules, they can still be held accountable if they make unsafe choices. When a crash victim can show a driver was unreasonably careless, this gives rise to civil liability and a lawsuit can result in the driver compensating crash victims.
A crash victim can show liability in a personal injury or wrongful death case brought in civil court before a jury. Frequently, however, the insurance company of the driver accepts its policyholder was at fault for causing a crash. In these situations, the insurer and the victim’s attorneys may negotiate a settlement agreement so the victim or their family can get paid without the need for a lawsuit.
Getting Help from a Raleigh Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrians injured in a collision should have their medical bills paid and should also be compensated when injuries cause time off from a job or reduce earning potential. Because victims are supposed to be “made whole,” they may also be entitled to monetary compensation for non-financial losses like emotional distress or pain and suffering. When the pedestrian crash is a fatal one, surviving family members receive compensation for medical costs and wage losses as well, but also for burial expenses and lost companionship.
Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers have helped many clients fight for full and fair compensation after pedestrian crashes in Raleigh. Call us today to learn how a pedestrian accident lawyer can help with your damage claim.