Car manufacturing has come to a long way with safety features protecting passengers involved in Car Accidents from what could be substantially worse injuries; however, when a pedestrian is hit by the car the pedestrian does not have the good fortune of the advanced protection and often received substantial injuries. Pedestrians struck by motor vehicles can sustain severe injuries such as fractured bones that need surgery to repair; disfigurement and life-threatening injuries to the head, neck or back. Victims of pedestrian versus car accident often find having a personal injury attorney instrumental in recovering a fair settlement.
Not all auto accidents involving pedestrians end in death, but even non-fatal accidents mean pain, suffering and monetary losses for pedestrian victims. Among the hardships, an accident can impose are huge medical expenses; loss of income and permanent or partial disabilities such as the loss of the ability to walk or the use of one’s arms and hands.
Compensation:
The amount and type of compensation a pedestrian receives will depend on the at-fault driver’s assets; the extent of the pedestrian’s injuries; the degree to which the pedestrian contributed to the accident and both parties’ insurance coverage. In Washington state, the state minimum coverage is only $25,000.00 per person per accident. Fortunately, many Washington State drivers carry personal injury personal (PIP) coverage which extends to a pedestrian injured by the vehicle to help cover some of the medical expenses.
If the driver caused the accident in Illinois, the driver’s insurance will provide compensation, that is if the driver has insurance. If the driver is uninsured, then the pedestrian’s UIM or no-fault coverage will compensate the pedestrian for his or her losses.
In Illinois, the minimum liability coverage drivers must carry amounts to a mere $20,000 per injury victim and $40,000 per accident. These small sums are patently inadequate, especially when an injured pedestrian victim suffers serious injury, and more so when there are multiple victims in an accident.
What to Do If You Are an Injured Pedestrian?
If you or someone you know has been injured as a pedestrian by a vehicle, having an experienced car accident attorney can be instrumental. Ritchie Reiersen Law has represented thousands of injured victims and has attorneys in Yakima, Kennewick, Auburn, Tacoma and covers the entire Seattle area. If you have been injured, you don’t have to deal with the insurance companies by yourself. Let the attorneys at Ritchie Reiersen Law be your advocate and get you the settlement you deserve.
