Have You Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident in Rhode Island?
Even though insurance companies often try to blame pedestrians for accidents, Rhode Island is a comparative negligence jurisdiction, meaning that accident victims still have a chance to recover even if their actions significantly contributed to the incident. When you’re injured after being hit by a car, you need all the help you can get. A Providence pedestrian accident lawyer experienced in personal injury cases can give you the legal counsel you need, negotiate settlement terms with the insurance company for medical bills and other losses, and take care of all the legal legwork.
Drivers Have More Responsibility
No pedestrian stands a chance against a three-thousand-pound automobile. That’s why it’s the responsibility of drivers to maintain careful control of their vehicles and be on the lookout for pedestrians. Even if pedestrians are erratic or difficult to predict, the driver is held to a higher standard of care. Sadly, not all drivers follow this standard. Negligent drivers may become impatient when waiting to turn at a light when pedestrians are crossing or may miss pedestrians altogether while distracted by phone calls, text messages, or music.
The Risk of Serious Pedestrian Accidents
Although sidewalks and crosswalks should be safe, this is rarely the case. In past years, pedestrian fatalities accounted for one out of every five traffic fatalities. Pedestrians are vulnerable to serious injuries whenever they step out into the street, even if they try to pay attention to their surroundings. Some of the worst pedestrian auto accidents result in wrongful death cases, and they happen when a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs. Drivers who operate vehicles while intoxicated run the risk of causing a serious or fatal pedestrian accident.
Damages That Can Be Recovered in a Rhode Island Pedestrian Car Accident
When it comes to personal injury settlements, there are generally two types of damages that you can recover: economic and non-economic.
Also called “compensatory damages,” economic damages can be calculated based on documents and measurable monetary loss.
These damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages,
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are a little more challenging to calculate. They typically have to do with loss that is intangible or immeasurable.
These damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental trauma
- Loss of enjoyment in life (due to disfigurement or disability),
- Decreased earning capabilities (due to disability)
What to Do After a Providence Pedestrian Accident
The vast majority of pedestrian accidents require immediate medical treatment.
Broken bones, head injuries, and serious injury to tissue and ligaments are common. Victims of pedestrian accidents typically end up in the hospital, making it difficult to collect witness statements or immediately provide their side of the story. However, there are several things we advise that you do – if you’re able – immediately following the incident.
Recount the Events of the Accident to the Police
When Rhode Island law enforcement asks you for your statement, be as clear and detailed as possible. Explain where you were coming from, where you were going, and everything you remember about the accident. Establishing that you had a clear recollection of the scene of the accident can help show that you were paying attention and that the negligent driver was solely responsible for your injuries. Do not make excuses for the driver or suggest that you both may have been to blame.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
It is also critically important that you are clear with physicians and other medical professionals about the full extent of your injuries. If anything feels wrong or strange, don’t try and tough it out. You may have internal injuries or hidden trauma that a lack of treatment could compound.
Be Cautious About Speaking With Insurance Companies
Often, the insurance company will call within hours of an accident. Insurance companies have a huge incentive to settle pedestrian car accidents quickly. They may promise to take care of all your medical bills or offer to wire you money, but this is all part of a plan to avoid paying you the total value of your claim.
Instead, take the name and number of the insurance adjuster calling and politely tell them they will need to speak with your attorney. Then, contact a personal injury law firm to talk to adjusters on your behalf.
Finding the Best Providence Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Hiring a pedestrian car accident lawyer in Rhode Island is an important decision. The best attorneys are highly knowledgeable in personal injury law and can evaluate your case quickly. They can provide the legal advice you need to make an informed decision. No attorney should ever pretend to know the exact value of your case in advance, and you should never pay for an initial consultation. The law office of Louis W. Grande is a personal injury firm located in Providence, RI. We handle pedestrian car accident cases on “contingency” contracts, meaning that you never pay unless we win your case.
FAQ: Pedestrian Accidents in Providence, RI
What is the most frequent cause of a pedestrian car accident in Rhode Island?
Most pedestrian car accidents are caused by distracted drivers taking their eyes off the road to perform other tasks. Talking and texting on cell phones, eating while driving, brushing teeth, applying make-up, and countless other activities.
Which pedestrians are most at risk of an accident?
Both young children and elderly or disabled pedestrians are most at risk for fatality or injury. They are more likely to require extra care on the roadways and can be less noticeable to passing drivers.
Is the pedestrian at fault in Rhode Island?
Pedestrians do have a certain responsibility for their safety when near roadways. In many instances, pedestrians can contribute to their injuries by disregarding traffic signals, ignoring oncoming vehicles, or darting across a crosswalk. However, this does not mean they cannot recover maximum compensation in a personal injury claim.
If a pedestrian chooses to step out onto the road without looking and gets hit by a car, they can be at least partly to blame for the accident.
What happens to a driver that hits a pedestrian in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, we are NOT a no-fault state. This means that the pedestrian can immediately begin pursuing compensation for the accident and file a claim or a personal injury lawsuit. The pedestrian may also file a claim through the driver’s insurance company.
Finding the Best Providence Pedestrian Accident Attorney
AWARD WINNING INJURY LAWYER
Louis W. Grande is a top-rated, award-winning Providence personal injury lawyer that has helped clients throughout the state of Rhode Island for the last 30+ years recover millions in compensation for personal injury claims. Have you been injured in a Rhode Island pedestrian accident? Call today for a free case evaluation.
Louis is an amazing attorney! He fights hard to get you what you deserve and he doesn’t give in. You couldn’t ask for a better lawyer to represent your interests and I can’t recommend him enough!
– Steve H.
TOP-RATED PROVIDENCE PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
Louis W. Grande is committed to providing quality legal representation and above all, personal attention to our clients’ individual needs. Conveniently located within minutes of downtown Providence on historic Smith Street, there is never a charge for an initial consultation. With evening and weekend appointments available, when your personal problems call for an experienced Rhode Island Personal Injury Lawyer, our firm is ready to assist you.
- No fee or cost unless we win your case.
- Receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.
- Personalized and professional service.
Before talking with thes auto insurance companies, be sure to call our office. We are here to serve you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We aggressively defend the rights of injured people in auto accidents and personal injuries in Rhode Island. We will keep you updated on the status of your claim at all times while explaining the process and what you can expect following an accident with an injury. We are fully committed to getting the most money we can for you.
The time following an accident with injuries resulting is stressful, and we are here to offer you our legal support by fighting aggressively to defend your rights. No matter your legal situation, if you suffer an injury due to the negligence of another driver, you could be compensated for your injuries.
Our goal is to get you the compensation you and your family deserve to relieve the financial impact following an accident or injury. Contact me now for help.
Proudly Serving All of Rhode Island Since 1990
