If You Were A Pedestrian Involved In A Motor Vehicle Accident, You May Qualify for a Pedestrian Lawsuit
Mar 16, 2010
Imagine this: you’re walking along, minding your own business; maybe you’re headed to work or on a fun shopping trip. You reach a crosswalk and hit the button so that you can safely cross the street. You wait for the light to change from “don’t walk” to “walk” and then head across the crosswalk, looking both ways. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a car comes screaming around the corner and hits you. Unfortunately, a situation like this happens far too often for comfort. Many times, pedestrians who are obeying the law are hit by a driver of a vehicle who is not paying attention. What do you do when you’re dealing with a situation like this? Should a pedestrian lawsuit be your first course of action?
Legal Attention
After you’ve been treated for your medical problems, you should seek out a lawyer. Lawyers, contrary to popular belief, are not ambulance-chasers after their next client, and it will be necessary for you to find one who will work with you. Most lawyers will now work on a contingency basis, only making money if they win the case for you. If you’ve been involved in a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident, those are the types of lawyers that you should look for because they will be specialized in that area of the law. In most cases, the accident is not the fault of the pedestrian but is the fault of a driver who has been inattentive.
The lawyer will also know what the statute of limitations is pertaining to the state where the accident occurred. The statute of limitations is the amount of time that you have to file a lawsuit against the person who caused the accident, and it is important that you contact a lawyer because every state has a different set of rules. Sometimes the limitations are only a month, while other times they can be longer. This can be a very stressful time; it is important that you discuss your case specifics with an attorney as soon after the accident as possible.
When you’re selecting a lawyer, it is important that you find a good one. Ask your friends and family members for referrals. Chances are probably pretty good that someone you know has had an encounter with a lawyer or two at some point in the past. If they don’t know of any, check the internet for lawyers in your area. This should also give you an opportunity to find out more about the reputation of a lawyer before you decide to call on him/her. Check to see if the lawyer you are thinking of selecting works on a contingency basis. This would mean you only have to pay the lawyer if your case wins a positive judgment.
Finally, make sure that you have enough money to live on while you’re in the lawsuit process. The legal processes can move slowly, and you may need access to some funds to help you to pay your bills. Lawsuit funding is one way to get the money that you need while you’re involved in a lawsuit. Visit www.lawcapital.com to learn more about how lawsuit funding can help you.