Pedestrian accidents can occur even in seemingly safe areas like crosswalks and parking lots. Anywhere motor vehicles and walking people are near each other, a single inattentive or reckless driver can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries to people on foot. Our Westfield pedestrian accident lawyers know how life-changing these collisions are, and we are here to help.
If you were injured by a motor vehicle while you were walking, you have a right to pursue damages from the motorist through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s Westfield personal injury lawyers can help you file a claim and fight for your right to a fair settlement. Call now to get started with a free consultation today.
How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Westfield?
Westfield is full of busy residential streets, narrow downtown roads, and bustling shopping center parking lots. Whether you are walking from your car to the store or taking a jog around the block, you are at risk of being struck by a motorist.
Motorists often say they did not see the person they hit, but such accidents typically have a more fundamental cause. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s Westfield pedestrian accident attorneys investigate the case to determine how the accident occurred. Common causes include:
Distracted Driving
Cell phone calls, text messages, and navigation equipment are just a few of the many distractions that can draw a driver’s attention. Looking away from the road for just a second is long enough for a driver to hit and injure a pedestrian.
Aggressive Driving
Speeding is another cause of pedestrian accidents, especially in areas like downtown where there are many moving vehicles and parked cars. Pedestrians walking around or between vehicles can appear before a speeding driver has time to stop. In addition, some drivers try to speed through a crosswalk ahead of people crossing the street, placing pedestrians’ lives at risk.
Drunk Driving
Drivers operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol have diminished decision making skills and slower reaction times. This combination is particularly dangerous to pedestrians.
Intoxicated drivers are more likely to hit pedestrians and other vehicles at higher speeds because their reaction time is compromised. They may also make dangerous decisions like running red lights or driving through crosswalks without checking for walkers.
Fatigued Driving
When a driver is awake for an extended period of time, their reaction times and motor control approach those of a drunk driver. Drivers may fall asleep at the wheel, run traffic signals, or swerve into other lanes or crosswalks, striking cars and pedestrians.
Who is Responsible for a Westfield Pedestrian Accident?
Often, the driver who hits the pedestrian is liable for the injuries they cause, as well as associated damages. Drivers have a duty to watch for pedestrians and take reasonable precautions to avoid hitting them. When they fail to take reasonable care, the driver can be considered negligent and responsible for the accident.
Sometimes, fault determination is more complicated. For example, if there were multiple drivers involved in the crash, obstacles in the road, or poorly marked traffic signs or signals, others could share liability with the driver.
We will gather evidence such as videos from surrounding buildings, dashcam footage, traffic camera data, and photos of the accident scene to establish your accident’s timeline. In addition, we will obtain a copy of the accident report and take witness statements from people who saw the accident. Using this information, we can build a sound case to prove fault and hold the responsible parties accountable.
What Damages Can I Seek for a Pedestrian Accident in Westfield?
A pedestrian accident can cause severe injuries that require surgery, hospitalization, and rehabilitation for months or years. Even soft-tissue injuries like bruises, scrapes, strains, sprains, and whiplash may require intensive treatment. Medical expenses can pile up as you receive care critical to your recovery. While you undergo treatment, you may miss time at work and lose income.
You should not have to suffer from the financial repercussions of someone else’s negligent actions. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC is here to help you pursue compensation for all the losses you sustained as a result of your pedestrian accident. We help you recover the following damages:
Medical Expenses
Pedestrian accidents can cause catastrophic and fatal injuries. Your body bears the full impact of the collision, which means more damage to your bones and tissues. Injuries you could suffer in a pedestrian accident range from soft tissue damage to broken bones, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord damage. Depending on your injuries’ severity, you may need intensive care, surgical intervention, and physical rehabilitation.
In addition to doctor’s visits and hospital stays, you could receive compensation for ambulance rides, medication, assistive equipment, and medical devices. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC works to recover compensation for the full scope of your losses, including current and future medical expenses related to your injuries.
Lost Wages and Income
If you are struck by a car, you may not be able to work until your injuries heal. Even after you recover, your injuries can affect your ability to earn income in the future. Our team obtains medical records and expert medical opinions to assess your lost current and future income. You deserve full compensation for work you cannot do because of the pedestrian accident.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
Depending on your injuries, you may need help with childcare, cleaning, shopping, and other tasks. Out-of-pocket expenses related to your pedestrian injuries could be part of your settlement. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s pedestrian accident attorneys serving Westfield leave no stone unturned when it comes to investigating your losses and seeking fair compensation. We will assess all the losses you sustained, including property damage, domestic assistance, and other costs.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering includes physical pain and the emotional and mental distress you suffered because of your pedestrian accident injuries. While compensation for pain and suffering is largely subjective, you will usually receive higher settlements for more severe injuries.
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s Westfield attorneys have extensive experience establishing strong cases for pedestrian accident victims. We are dedicated to securing a fair payout, and we will NOT settle for less than you deserve.
What if My Pedestrian Accident Was a Hit-and-Run?
If you were struck by a driver who left the scene, Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s pedestrian accident attorneys serving Westfield works with law enforcement to try and identify the perpetrator. The hit-and-run driver can be accountable for your injuries if they are apprehended.
If not, we may still be able to recover compensation through your personal injury protection (PIP) or vehicle liability. Contact our office today to discuss your options and see how we can help.
Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Westfield Pedestrian Accident Claim?
You could file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit on your own, but you risk making mistakes that could cost you significantly. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC has been fighting for injury victims for over eight-and-a-half decades. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to handle even the most complicated pedestrian accident cases. Let us help you recover fair compensation for your injuries.
When you hire Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, you can expect comprehensive legal support, including:
Constant Communication
We will remain in contact with you throughout your case. You never have to wonder about your case status or wait for answers to your questions. A member of our team remains available 24/7 to respond to your questions or concerns. As your case develops, you will receive regular updates from your assigned team.
Case Management
We manage all communications with the insurance company, opposing counsel, and the court. While we build your case, we respond to document requests, answer phone calls, and negotiate with insurers to secure a fair settlement value.
Sometimes, negotiations are not successful, and we will need to continue with a lawsuit. Our trial attorneys are committed to defending your legal rights before a judge or jury, if necessary. Even if your case does not go to court, our team wants to make sure this opportunity is available. When you get started with us, we’ll review your case to make sure Massachusetts’s statute of limitations has not passed.
Attentive Representation
When you hire Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, you are immediately assigned a legal team dedicated to your case. We take on a limited number of cases so our clients receive personalized attention every step of the way. We consider our clients family, and we want you to feel welcome and supported throughout the legal process.
Why Work With Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Serving Westfield?
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC has been defending the legal rights of injured victims since 1938. We are committed to treating our injured clients with compassion while relentlessly pursuing justice from the parties responsible. Our team has successfully recovered millions in settlements and awards for clients, including pedestrian accident victims. We want to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact our Westfield pedestrian accident attorneys today to schedule a free consultation. We will listen to your story and provide sound legal guidance so you can decide on your next steps. If we accept your case, we take no payment upfront. We receive payment from your final settlement or verdict when we win your case.