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If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Chattanooga, contacting an experienced pedestrian accident attorney can be one of the most beneficial steps you take after the accident.
Having an experienced attorney by your side can help alleviate the stress of knowing what to do after the accident. With a lawyer’s help, you can help you maximize the chance that you’ll get the compensation you need to be able to heal and move on with your life.
The pedestrian accident attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm know what you’re going through, and they have years of experience in fighting for accident victims. If you want someone fair and trustworthy by your side during this stressful time, fill out our contact form so that you can schedule a no-obligation confidential case evaluation with an experienced attorney.
During your 100% free case evaluation, one of our attorneys will listen to the details of your case and provide you with personalized feedback about how to best move forward. We advise clients on which legal strategies give them the best chance of recovering, and we help them handle their cases from start to finish.
Schedule your free case review by calling (423) 777-8888 to get started working together today.
A Chattanooga Pedestrian Accident Attorney Dedicated to You
Chattanooga has so many exciting and fun things to do, to the point the city attracts almost 3 million tourists every year! Apart from Lookout Mountain and the many farmers’ markets that dot the city when the seasons are right, there’s also a bright and bustling downtown district.
It’s been designed for people to be able to easily walk from one location to another. Everyone who has visited Chattanooga has been a pedestrian at least once.
Whether you’re planning a trip to the aquarium or visiting Coolidge Park, there are a variety of places to see and things to do in Chattanooga. Whether you’re staying in a hotel downtown or somewhere farther out, once you’re downtown, many of the most popular attractions are easy to walk or bike to.
However, in a city with so many tourists, it is likely that you have many drivers who are unfamiliar with the area, along with many pedestrians. With so many people unsure of where they’re going and unfamiliar with where they are, it is not surprising that pedestrian accidents can occur.
Unfortunately, many times, pedestrian accidents are serious accidents, as human bodies can’t stand up to even the smallest vehicle. Because of this, these accidents can lead to major injuries, expensive medical bills, and long-term ramifications.
It may be tempting just to trust that the insurance company will offer you a fair settlement after they’ve concluded their investigation of the accident. However, it is likely that the settlement will only feel fair to the insurance company — and may leave you in a difficult financial position.
To ensure that you have the best chance at receiving the compensation you need to cover all of your physical, mental, and emotional damages, hire an accident attorney from the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm. Let us help you develop a plan so that you can begin to focus on your recovery and look forward to your future with hope instead of worry.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), almost 8,000 pedestrians died in traffic accidents in 2020 alone. The CDC reports that, in 2017, an estimated 137,000 pedestrians were rushed to the emergency department as a result of traffic accidents.
Pedestrian traffic accidents are a big issue, affecting many places in our country. According to the NCHS, most of these accidents occur in urban areas, on the open road (as opposed to intersections), and at night.
These are some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in the United States:
Distracted Driving
Tennessee implements and observes strict hands-free laws. These laws aim to reduce instances of distracted driving.
Unfortunately, drivers can still become distracted for many different reasons and, as a result, may still end up in a pedestrian accident.
Pedestrians should always ensure that drivers see them and are coming to a stop before they step out onto the road. If a car does not seem like it will stop, wait until it passes to cross the street, even if you’re waiting at a crosswalk.
Impaired Driving
A driver who is operating their vehicle under the influence of alcohol or some other substance will often have slower reaction times, thus increasing the amount of time it will take them to stop and the probability that you will need a drunk driving accident lawyer.
An impaired driver may also have difficulty maintaining their lane or going the correct speed. If you see a car driving erratically, wait for it to pass before attempting to cross the street.
Reckless Driving
When a car is not obeying the speed limit, it can take them a substantially longer amount of time to stop the car as compared to someone who is obeying the law.
When you are preparing to cross the street, make sure you are in a crosswalk. Never step out in front of a car that seems to be going faster than it should, especially if it does not appear that they are actively slowing down for you.
Instead, wait until the speeding car has passed before crossing the street.
Disobeying Traffic Signs
When people are distracted, inebriated, or in an unfamiliar place, they may not notice or heed posted traffic signs. As such, not all vehicles may be aware of a crosswalk, which can lead to a pedestrian accident.
As mentioned before, please do not step out into the road, even at a crosswalk, unless it is obvious that cars going either way on the road have seen you and are actively slowing down to let you cross.
Poor Visibility
At night or in bad weather, it may be difficult or even impossible for a driver to see pedestrians. Drivers are expected to slow down and be extra vigilant in pedestrian-heavy places, but you can’t always count on them to do so.
If you have to cross the street at night or at a place that is not well-lit, it is a good idea to wear reflective clothing. If you notice that the weather conditions will make visibility difficult for drivers, exercise extreme caution when going out onto the road.
Common Injuries from Pedestrian Accidents
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents tend to result in serious injuries. A human body has no defenses when matched with a car.
Even accidents that occur at a slow speed can cause critical injuries. Often, serious pedestrian accidents can result in a wrongful death.
If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident and seem to be uninjured, it is still crucial that you seek medical treatment as soon as you are able. Many times, injuries may be slow to present, and some injuries will need a diagnosis from a doctor.
No matter the case, you will need a medical report, as this is often the only evidence that you have that proves your injuries occurred as a result of the accident. Without this report, insurance companies may try to say that your injuries were pre-existing or happened at another time, and they should not be responsible for compensation.
Common injuries from pedestrian accidents are:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
These head and brain injuries can range from mild concussions to serious, life-altering brain injuries. All it takes for a TBI to occur is a hard knock on your head.
Often, these injuries may not have external symptoms, such as bleeding. But you may feel dizzy, disoriented, nauseated, lose consciousness, or experience extreme mood swings if you’ve sustained a TBI.
If you suspect that you have sustained a brain injury, it is imperative that you get medical assistance right away.
Back Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are common injuries that are sustained in car wrecks but can also occur in pedestrian accidents. Back injuries can cause serious issues such as paralysis and death.
If you have sustained a serious back injury from a pedestrian accident, it is likely that you will require long-term medical care.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are another common injury that can occur when in a pedestrian accident. These injuries can range from a simple fracture to a compound fracture, where the bone pierces the skin.
These injuries can be very painful and can take months to heal. Occasionally, these types of injuries could potentially result in amputation.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Injuries such as contusions, lacerations, dislocations, tears, and sprains all belong in this category. Though these injuries are typically not as serious as the others listed above and typically heal more quickly, they can still cause severe pain and disrupt your life.
Some, if severe, may even require surgery or cause life-long issues.
Insurance Companies are Businesses, Not Friends
Even though many insurance companies want you to believe that they are working for you, the bottom line is that these companies are just that: companies. They are trying to do everything they can to make the biggest profit they can — something they can’t do if they are having to pay out significant amounts of money for injury claims.
These companies know that if you have just been involved in an accident or any traumatic event, you may not be thinking clearly and will just want a quick resolution. They may try to lowball you in the hopes that you’ll just accept whatever offer they’ll give you.
If you take their first offer, there is a chance that you might not receive the compensation you need to cover all the expenses you accrued as a result of your accident. Once you’ve accepted their offer, there’s legally nothing left that you can do.
Instead, hire an experienced attorney who can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. The CEO Lawyer will fight for you and do whatever we can to give you the best chance of getting the full compensation amount that you deserve.
Don’t settle for less than you need. Let us lead the way with the insurance companies so you can fully focus on healing from your injuries.
What Your Compensation Can Cover
When you are thinking about the amount of compensation you need, it is easy just to focus on the obvious things — for instance, medical bills. However, compensation can cover a wide range of things.
Work with an experienced attorney to determine the amount you should be asking for.
Full compensation for all of your damages can cover:
- Medical Bills (Past and Future)
- Physical Therapy
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering (Physical, Mental, and Emotional)
- Travel Expenses
- Loss of Consortium
Contact an Experienced Chattanooga Pedestrian Accident Law Firm
If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney today. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, Ali Awad and the other experienced lawyers at the firm have the knowledge, experience, and expertise to fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule your free, no-risk consultation. At your consultation, one of our experienced attorneys will sit down with you and listen to your story.
After that, you will receive individualized feedback based on your case. Our legal team will work to devise the best legal strategy to maximize your chance of getting the full compensation that you deserve from all liable parties.
Schedule your free case review by contacting us online or calling (423) 777-8888 to get started today!