Staten Island Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

When you are involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be seriously injured and have expensive medical bills to pay when you’re unable to work. In addition to the physical pain, you may also have emotional pain from the shock of being involved in a serious car accident if you were struck by a vehicle.

However, victims of pedestrian accidents have a limited amount of time to file a claim or risk being denied financial compensation. That’s why you should take proactive action on your own behalf and contact a Staten Island pedestrian accident lawyer at Kuharski, Levitz & Giovinazzo, Esq. We will help ensure that you recover all compensation that’s owed to you.

How Fault is Determined in a Staten Island Pedestrian Accident?

Was the driver distracted or speeding? Was the pedestrian careless for walking into traffic? These details can help you determine fault for your pedestrian accident.

Generally speaking, the fault is determined according to who had control over the situation leading up to the collision. A driver who had control of their vehicle and could have prevented the accident from occurring will typically be found at fault. 

Drivers may also be found liable if they were intoxicated or driving recklessly. In other cases, pedestrians are held accountable because they didn’t obey traffic signals or crosswalks or were distracted while walking. 

There are so many factors that go into determining liability, it’s best to consult with an attorney who specializes in pedestrian accidents and knows how to assign fault in complicated cases with many variables.

Damages for a Staten Island Pedestrian Accident 

After a Staten Island pedestrian accident, you may be due compensation for the suffering you experienced. These losses and trauma, called damages, should cover the suffering you experienced. 

But how do you know what your claim is worth? Reach out to a pedestrian accident lawyer in Staten Island to learn more about the damages you’re due. 

Economic Damages

When you’re hurt in a Staten Island pedestrian accident, you may have grounds for compensation covering your financial costs. These include any bills you’ve accrued for the accident and related future expenses. 

For example, sometimes treatments for physical injuries can be expensive and force victims to drain their bank accounts just to keep up with mounting healthcare debt. You may also be able to collect money for any medical expenses incurred in the future that are related to your accident. For example, a spinal injury or traumatic brain injury may lead to long-term cognitive or mobility issues.

Recovery time can also have a significant impact on your ability to work and earn an income, so you may be able to recover lost wages. The amount will reflect how much time off work you had to take and how much money you would have made if you had not been injured and were able to keep working.

In addition, future lost wages or reduced earning capacity may also be recovered based on how much money you would earn if your injuries didn’t prevent you from working in the future or in the same capacity. 

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages include things like pain and suffering and mental anguish. Non-economic damages are hard to calculate because they don’t have a specific monetary value. If your case goes to court, a jury may have to decide how much money you should be awarded. 

Pedestrian accidents can be extremely traumatic and even cause serious conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That’s why you should have a knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyer in Staten Island who can help you determine whether you’re entitled to any non-economic damages.

Punitive Damages

It may be shocking but in some cases, a driver hits a pedestrian on purpose. When this happens, it may be appropriate to seek punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. 

Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for their actions and deter them from committing similar acts in the future. Your attorney can help you determine whether this type of compensation is appropriate in your case.

Speak With a Staten Island Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to get legal help as soon as possible. A Staten Island pedestrian accident lawyer can tackle your claim, getting you the answers you’re due and representing you in the courtroom for your compensation. 

If you wait too long, the insurance company may refuse to pay your claim. In some cases, that can mean losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation. Contact Kuharski, Levitz & Giovinazzo, Esq. at 718-448-1600 or complete our online form below to talk to an attorney through a free consultation.