Arlington Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center designates Arlington County as a Gold-rated Walk Friendly Community, putting it in rare company as one of 15 communities nationwide to receive such a high rating. Unfortunately, though, pedestrians in Arlington are still susceptible to serious harm if a motor vehicle driver acts negligently around them.
If you were struck while walking by a driver who was acting recklessly or carelessly, you may have grounds for civil litigation that an Arlington pedestrian accident lawyer could help you take advantage of. These types of cases are rarely as simple or straightforward as they might at first seem, so seeking a skilled personal injury attorney’s counsel could be crucial to achieving a successful result to your claim.
Recoverable Damages through a Successful Claim
Whether a personal injury lawsuit stems from a collision between two vehicles, an incident involving a car striking a pedestrian, or any other circumstances, the basic goal of such a proceeding is to allow a person injured by another party’s misconduct to hold that irresponsible party financially accountable for ensuing “damages.” Importantly, damages in pedestrian injury claims are not required to be objective in nature in order to be “compensable” through a settlement or court award.
This means that in addition to economic damages like medical expenses and lost work income, it may also be possible for a pedestrian accident victim to recover for non-economic “pain and suffering” as well. In the same vein, a comprehensive claim may seek restitution for losses that have not yet happened in the present but are very likely to occur in the future because of an accident—for instance, costs of future rehabilitative care, lost future earning capacity, and lost enjoyment of life.
In rare cases, punitive damages may also be available based on a defendant’s especially egregious negligence or intentional malice. An Arlington pedestrian injury attorney could explain on a case-by-case what damages might be recoverable in a particular situation.
Are Drivers always to Blame for Pedestrian Crashes?
Just like they do to other drivers, motor vehicle operators owe a “duty” to bicyclists and pedestrians that requires them to act as a reasonable person would under the circumstances. In many situations, a person who hits a pedestrian while driving does so because they violated this duty of care, potentially by disobeying a traffic law, failing to pay attention, or simply acting recklessly behind the wheel.
However, injured plaintiffs can also bear some degree of fault for these kinds of incidents. For example, a person struck by a motor vehicle might be considered partially at fault for their injuries, if they stepped out into the road too quickly for an oncoming driver to avoid them, or if they crossed the road outside of a crosswalk or without a light signal telling them it was safe to cross.
Unfortunately, if a court finds a pedestrian accident victim partly to blame for their own accident, the “pure contributory negligence” system applicable in this kind of litigation may prohibit that injured pedestrian from recovering any civil compensation at all. Assistance from a pedestrian accident lawyer in Arlington could be absolutely essential to contesting such allegations effectively and preserving a plaintiff’s right to recovery.
Talk to an Arlington Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
Auto wrecks that involve pedestrians often cause life-altering injuries with long-term repercussions for those unfortunate parties unprotected by modern vehicular safety features. Fortunately, it might be possible for qualified legal counsel to help you enforce your right to civil recovery and seek the restitution you deserve for the harm you did not.
An experienced Arlington pedestrian accident lawyer could discuss all your options with you over the course of a private consultation. Call today to schedule yours.
