Hollis Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents

Driver negligence is the No. 1 cause of pedestrian accidents. In most pedestrian collisions, it is the driver of the vehicle who is at fault – not the person on foot. Drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles in a safe manner and to exercise reasonable care. Unfortunately, drivers do not always look out for pedestrians, and pedestrians end up getting hurt.

Common causes of pedestrian accidents in Hollis include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Ignoring traffic signals
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Failing to signal
• Unmarked crosswalks
• Improper lighting
• Dangerous road conditions
• Left-hand turns
• Weather conditions
• Vehicle malfunction
• Alcohol and drugs

Pedestrian accident injuries can be severe, requiring costly hospital stays, rehabilitation, therapy, surgery, as well as medications. Along with cuts, bruises, and broken bones, pedestrian accident victims can suffer serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Injuries like these typically require long-term care. If applicable, an experienced personal injury lawyer will take into account the long-term effects of your injury when determining the amount of damages you are entitled to claim.

If you have been involved in a crash as a pedestrian, it is common for insurance companies to try to assign blame to you. Insurers may try to claim that the pedestrian was not following traffic laws, or that the pedestrian was not paying attention to traffic. The Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer will interview witnesses and gather evidence to show that the driver was responsible for the accident and your injuries.

If you have suffered severe injuries in a pedestrian accident, you will have difficulty handling complicated legal matters by yourself. You will need the guidance of a skilled and compassionate Hollis pedestrian accident lawyer to help you with the claims process. An attorney at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP can handle your case from start to finish, providing peace of mind during this difficult time.

Common Injuries In Pedestrian Crashes

Traumatic brain injuries: Pedestrians are vulnerable to head injuries if struck by a moving vehicle. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) sustained in pedestrian accidents can range from mild to severe. Even brain injuries that are deemed minor need to be treated with great care. After a mild concussion, you may be back to your normal self in a matter of days. However, in more serious cases, you may have an extended recovery and have to adapt to a different lifestyle. The symptoms of moderate to severe TBIs may include slurred speech, loss of coordination, loss of consciousness, seizures, and repeated vomiting.

Spinal cord injuries: These types of injuries are considered catastrophic because they often result in either partial or total paralysis. A spinal cord injury can occur from a traumatic blow. In addition to paralysis, symptoms of spinal cord injury include unconsciousness, loss of control of the bladder or bowels, and numbness or tingling in the extremities.

Broken bones: Fractures can range in severity, depending on the force with which the pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. Broken bones are often extremely painful, and they can require surgery to correct. Broken bones can leave you unable to carry out normal everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and cooking for a period.

Soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue injuries cover a wide array of ailments, including muscle tears, sprains, bruises, and dislocations. Minor soft tissue injuries will often resolve on their own. However, the pain caused by these injuries can disrupt your life. Some of these injuries can lead to scarring.

Internal injuries: Internal injuries can be difficult to pinpoint and to treat. Rib fractures, brain bleeds, and injuries to internal organs can be threatening and require treatment right away. Some internal injuries may not show symptoms immediately after an accident when adrenaline is running high.

Lower extremities: One of the first parts of a pedestrian’s body that is likely to come in contact with the vehicle is the lower body. Many pedestrians experience injuries to the legs and lower parts of the body. Trauma to the ligaments and muscles, pelvis fractures, lacerations, and broken bones are all common.

Upper extremities: Pedestrians who land on the hood of a car or are tossed over the vehicle could suffer various musculoskeletal injuries to the arms, wrists, hands and shoulders. They also could injure the abdominal area or chest. Any injury to the upper part of the body can be severe and even fatal.

Amputation injuries: If a vehicle is going fast enough when it strikes a pedestrian, the victim can sustain an injury to a limb that is so severe that it requires amputation surgery.

How can a pedestrian accident lawyer help?

If you have been the victim of a pedestrian accident in Hollis, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. To seek compensation, it is critical that you contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Our experienced New York pedestrian accident attorneys understand the legal process for seeking compensation and can negotiate a settlement of your claim with insurance companies.

Contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as you can after being injured in a pedestrian accident. A Hollis personal injury lawyer can preserve evidence from the pedestrian accident and gather statements from witnesses before their memories fade. Evidence can take time to gather, and there is a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases in New York.

The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP will thoroughly investigate your claim and seek recovery for all the losses that you have suffered.

Depending upon your case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
• Lost wages
• Lost earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Property damage and more

If you have been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, you need a skilled personal injury attorney who understands the claims process. Our attorneys know how to negotiate with the insurance company for the best possible settlement so you can move forward with your life.

You need a legal advocate who understands all the particulars of your pedestrian accident case and is willing to fight to make you whole again. This is why you need the help of the committed Hollis injury attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP.

Contact a Hollis Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, seeking compensation with a lawsuit can be intimidating and confusing. A seasoned New York pedestrian accident attorney can help. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your pedestrian accident case. A lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation of your case and protect your legal rights.

At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP our Hollis pedestrian accident lawyers have secured millions of dollars in compensation for people who have been seriously injured in all types of personal injury accidents. We bring a unique level of understanding to the injuries people suffer in pedestrian accident cases. Richard Jaffe is a licensed EMT as well as an attorney. His experience providing trauma care to accident victims enables him to understand what you are going through and what your needs will be on the road to recovery.

With more than a century of combined legal experience, our Hollis pedestrian accident lawyers are committed to fighting for justice for those who have been hurt by careless drivers. Schedule a free case consultation with us today by calling (866) 878-6774 now.