Trusted Flint Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
We Help Maximize Your Settlement in Your Time of Need
While going around your daily activities, walking along your street or the nearest grocery store, you might get hit by a car. This could happen when crossing the street, walking on the sidewalk, or sitting at the bus station waiting for your bus. The impact of pedestrian accidents is far-reaching, given that the body receives much more force than it can handle.
Also, pedestrian accident victims often face months or years of physical therapy, taking a toll on their finances and mental health. Therefore, after a pedestrian accident, it is vital to determine if you are eligible for financial compensation and file a claim on time. Undoubtedly, you can decide to handle the process yourself, but this doesn’t always work out well as insurance companies are not always inclined to pay claims, and they often have legal representation.
Therefore, it is always advisable to hire an attorney. Our Flint pedestrian accident lawyer at Goodman Acker, P.C., has represented injured victims before insurance companies and helped them secure fair compensation. If you hire us, we will carefully examine your case facts and help you determine whether to proceed with a claim.
We are always available to listen to and help you. So call us at 248-286-8100 to speak with one of our attorneys.
Why Choose Our Flint Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Choosing the right attorney for your case can be challenging, primarily because of the myriad of choices available in Flint. However, our lawyers at Goodman Acker, P.C., are different. We have dedicated our careers to helping injured pedestrians, and we know the details of each client’s case at a personal level.
We have decades of combined experience and would happily help you fight for your rights and protect your interests.
We care about every client we represent, which has led to excellent relationships and positive client reviews. We have a 99% success rate and have secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Also, our initial consultations are free, so call us at 248-286-8100 to schedule one.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents in Flint, Michigan?
Pedestrian accidents are caused by the negligence of drivers and sometimes pedestrians. The following are some of the common causes of pedestrian accidents:
- Distracted drivers: When drivers text or call with their phones, it distracts them from driving, increasing the chances of getting into an accident. Similarly, pedestrians distracted by their phones might enter oncoming traffic.
- Impaired drivers: A driver who operates a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol will make bad decisions since their cognitive abilities are impaired. For example, they can drive through crosswalks, ignore traffic signs, or drive into a group of pedestrians while making left turns.
- Reckless driving: A reckless driver disregards the rules of the road, driving very dangerously, causing accidents or other damage. For example, a driver who does not yield the right of way to pedestrians or disregards traffic laws to drive on sidewalks. Pedestrians can also be reckless by crossing outside designated crosswalks or jaywalking.
- Speeding: When a driver speeds, their reaction time significantly reduces. In cases where they come upon pedestrians crossing the road, they might hit them. In other instances, a speeding driver might lose control of the car and crash into pedestrians.
- Bad weather: Adverse weather conditions, like heavy rains or blizzards, make it hard for drivers to see pedestrians. This is more so at night if the pedestrian wears dark clothing.
Common Injuries Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents
When a car hits the human body, it sends more force than it can handle, and the body then travels through the air before hitting the ground. The force of impact determines how severe the car throws the pedestrian and the severity of the injury suffered. The following are some of the common wounds associated with pedestrian accidents:
- Fractures
- Head injuries (including traumatic brain injuries)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Contusions and bruises
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal organ injuries
- Dislocations
- Sprains and strains
- Psychological injuries (such as post-traumatic stress disorder), etc.
After a pedestrian accident, getting medical treatment and following your doctor’s instructions is crucial. If the accident is minor, and there are no visible physical wounds, ensure you get a complete medical checkup to rule out delayed injuries.
At Goodman Acker, P.C., we have the skills, knowledge, and resources to fight for you and secure a favorable outcome.
Who Is Liable for a Flint, Michigan, Pedestrian Accident?
Depending on the case facts, a pedestrian and vehicle driver can be at fault. Sometimes, the pedestrian and the driver share the blame after an accident. When this happens, the Michigan comparative negligence rule comes into play. Under this law, anyone contributing to an accident will have their compensation reduced by their fault percentage.
However, the fault percentage must not be over 50% to be eligible for compensation. So, suppose, as an injured pedestrian, you contributed 51% to the accident. You cannot receive compensation from the driver involved. But if your fault is 49%, you will receive 51% of the damages awarded.
Insurance companies always try to place some blame on the pedestrian so that they can reduce compensation based on the comparative negligence rule. But with our Flint pedestrian accident attorney representing you, we will ensure you are not wrongly blamed and get you the compensation you deserve.
Note that since Michigan is a no-fault state, comparative negligence only comes into play when filing a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party in cases of severe or catastrophic injuries.
What Compensation Can You Receive after a Pedestrian Accident?
Under Michigan’s no-fault law, all pedestrians in an accident can receive no-fault benefits regardless of fault and as long as they have an existing insurance policy. The benefits cover your medical bills, lost wages, and replacement services. However, it does not pay for noneconomic damages. Also, your no-fault policy is your first resort after an accident, especially if you sustained minor injuries.
However, if your injuries are catastrophic, lead to a disability or disfigurement, or you lost a loved one, you can file a pedestrian accident lawsuit against the driver responsible. A lawsuit allows you to receive economic, noneconomic, and exemplary damages. Economic and noneconomic damages compensate for monetary and nonmonetary losses, including the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of quality of life, etc.
Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Flint, Michigan, can help you determine your case’s worth and ensure you ask for all you’re entitled to from the at-fault party.
Our team is dedicated to providing your case the attention it deserves, and we devote time and resources based on each client’s needs.
Flint Pedestrian Accident Lawyer FAQs
Having questions about the legal process is common after a traumatic event like a pedestrian accident. Below, we answer some of the frequently asked questions.
Several factors affect how long it takes for your case to conclude. These include the complexity of your case, the willingness of both parties to settle, the court schedule, etc. So, it could take months or years.
The worth of a pedestrian accident case varies depending on the facts and several factors. These include the severity of injuries sustained, medical treatment received and future medical needs, duration and extent of rehabilitation or therapy, impact on your daily life and activities, loss of income and earning capacity, etc.
Under the Michigan statute of limitations, you have three years to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit. Once the time elapses and you fail to take action, you will forever lose your right to compensation.
Pedestrian accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid when we secure a favorable outcome. Also, we charge between 33% to 40% of the settlement awarded.
These may not be your only questions; our attorneys will discuss your specific concerns in your initial consult.
How Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Flint Can Help You
The primary goal of our attorneys at Goodman Acker, P.C. is to protect the rights and interests of our clients injured in pedestrian accidents. When you retain our services, we will carry out the following functions:
- Provide legal advice regarding your rights and options
- Evaluate the merits of your case and help you understand the chances of success
- Conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident
- Gather evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, and any available video footage or photographs
- Identify and establish liability by determining who was at fault for the accident
- Negotiate with the insurance company adjuster to secure fair compensation
- If the settlement negotiations fail, file a lawsuit and advocate for you in court.
We will keep you informed about your case’s progress and answer the questions you have throughout the legal process.
Get the Help You Need from Goodman Acker, P.C.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a pedestrian accident, our Goodman Acker, P.C. team is here for you. We offer compassionate yet aggressive representation and will use all our resources and legal knowledge to help you get fair compensation. Contact us at 248-286-8100 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN
Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]
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