Being injured in a pedestrian accident is a traumatic experience that can affect you financially, physically and emotionally for the rest of your life. The streets of Boston are often busy and chaotic, and in spite of laws designed to protect pedestrians, accidents still occur. Pedestrians who are just trying to cross the street must be very careful to avoid being hit by careless drivers.
The number of deaths from pedestrian collisions with motor vehicles has increased in recent years. Data from the Governors Highway Safety Association [1], or GHSA, has indicated that there were almost 6,000 pedestrians killed in such collisions in 2017 alone. Pedestrian deaths also increased by 22 percent during the years between 2014 and 2016. Because of many recent issues like the prevalent use of smart phones and the legalization of marijuana, these numbers are expected to continue to increase. That is why it is important, if you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, to understand how an experienced personal injury lawyer can help.
Boston Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Injuries that are the result of a collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle are often serious and may require months or years of medical treatment and rehabilitation. Severe head injuries may cause traumatic brain syndromes that can disable a person for life, and spinal cord injuries may cause partial or complete paralysis, rendering someone unable to work. This is why it is crucial to learn about how a Boston pedestrian accident lawyer can help you if you have been hurt in a pedestrian accident.
When the driver of a car that is involved in a pedestrian accident has been found to be negligent, there are many types of compensation that may be available. This can include compensation for medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, loss of the ability to work at a job and a reduced quality of life. Compensation may even be available for pain and suffering caused by the accident. An expert Boston pedestrian accident lawyer can evaluate your case and determine what compensation is likely to be won.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
There are at least several common causes of traffic accidents that involve pedestrians. Crossing against the light is always a bad idea as cars may be speeding to cross an intersection before the light changes. Crossing the street in front of parked cars or coming out from any other areas where a driver may not see a pedestrian may also cause a collision. Pedestrians who are walking at night should always wear clothing that is visible in the dark and should avoid wearing dark colors when jogging or taking a walk after dusk.
Nowadays, with the advent of digital devices that can be taken everywhere, like smart phones, iPads and other similar items, drivers have become distracted and are often trying to do too many things at once. However, this can also be true of pedestrians who are walking along with their head buried in a smart phone. Distracted driving, speeding to reach a destination, and disobeying traffic laws are all actions that make it much more likely for a pedestrian accident to occur.
Who is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident in Boston?
In order to be compensated for injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident, a pedestrian or his/her lawyer needs to be able to prove that the negligence of another party was the direct cause of their injuries. Those who drive automobiles in Massachusetts have a duty to exercise reasonable care when operating their vehicles, and if a driver causes harm or injury to a pedestrian by violating this duty of care, then he/she may be held liable for the injury.
The state of Massachusetts is a no-fault state. This means that a portion or all of the medical bills for the injuries of pedestrians who are in a collision with a car will be covered by the insurance company of the driver of the car, unless the car is registered in another state. In that case, the laws of that state may apply. Massachusetts is also a comparative negligence state. This means that if a pedestrian is partially responsible for causing the accident in which he/she was injured, the amount of compensation that can be won for the related injuries may be reduced by that percentage of fault.
What to Do After a Boston Pedestrian Accident
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident, it is important to know what to do after it happens. The first thing to do is to seek medical assistance as needed. If the police are involved, it is important to get the names of the responding police officers and to get a copy of any report made. It is also important to get the contact and insurance information of all involved parties as may make it easier to make a claim.
You may want to take photos of the scene of the accident if you can do so safely. Photos of the area where the accident occurred, including photos of the damage to the vehicle and the injuries sustained by the pedestrian may be useful in presenting your claim. Also, it is important to contact a Boston pedestrian accident lawyer who can handle the insurance companies for you.
Contact Experienced Boston, Massachusetts Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
When you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact an experienced Boston pedestrian accident lawyer. A pedestrian accident injury can alter your life for many years or indefinitely and can affect your entire family and all of your professional relationships. The legal professionals at the FitzGerald Law Company of Boston, Massachusetts are experienced and dedicated to getting those who have been injured in pedestrian accidents the compensation they need to move forward with their lives.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at FitzGerald Law Company will thoroughly investigate your accident case to uncover the sources of negligence and compensation. We understand the challenges you face after a pedestrian collision with a motor vehicle and are dedicated to be your legal voice during this difficult time. Call us at 617-303-2600 [2] and let us give you legal guidance you can rely on.
Frequently Asked Questions of Our Personal Injury Lawyers [3]
Success Stories – Personal Injury [4]
Process for a Personal Injury Claim as a Result of an Accident [5]