As a pedestrian, you hope that motorists will observe traffic signals and avoid creating a situation where you or other pedestrians could be injured. Drivers that do not act with caution in pedestrian-filled areas may be sued for their negligence in a pedestrian accident case. If you were hit by a car while walking in Fort Worth, Texas, talk to our Fort Worth pedestrian accident lawyer today.
At The Queenan Law Firm, our legal services are tailored to the needs of the client. We know that this is a difficult time in your life, and we want to help you secure compensation for your injuries and financial losses. Call our Fort Worth pedestrian accident lawyers at (817) 476-1797 to make an appointment for a free consultation. Our staff could also be reached using our online form.
Tips for Handling a Pedestrian Accident in Fort Worth
When leaving your home, you likely did not expect that you would be the unfortunate victim of a car accident. Coping with your injuries and other facets of your life that have been touched by this accident is not easy. However, if you want to be able to claim compensation for your injuries, you should do your best to try completing the following actions after your accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Your priority after a pedestrian accident should be to get yourself to safety and seek immediate medical attention. Explain how the accident occurred to the medical staff that treats you. It would also be wise to document all injuries that you sustained by storing medical records and taking photos of your injuries.
The extent of your injury will be an important factor when negotiating with the negligent driver for damages or if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit. For instance, the injuries you sustained in the crash would be valuable when seeking damages for pain and suffering.
Request Information from Driver
Next, if you are physically able, request information from the driver that is to blame for the accident. When speaking with the driver, be sure to get the following information:
- Name of the driver
- Make and model of their vehicle
- The license plate of the vehicle
- Insurance carrier used by the driver
Additionally, if it appears that the driver was driving as a part of their employment, this should also be noted. For example, if the driver that hit you was working as an Uber or Lyft driver, this would be valuable information.
Create a Detailed Record of the Accident
It would be prudent to create a detailed report of how the pedestrian accident happened. For instance, if the driver struck you when you had the right-of-way according to traffic signals, this would show the driver’s liability for the crash.
Make a note of the following factors that may be needed to prove your case:
- How the accident occurred (e.g., the driver ignored the crosswalk signal)
- The intersection where the pedestrian accident happened
- Any weather that would have affected the visibility of the driver or pedestrian
- Injuries you sustained
If you have access to any witnesses that offered to give you a statement, be sure to take their names and contact information.
Seek Legal Assistance
Next, you should bring your case to a Fort Worth pedestrian accident lawyer. Our experienced legal team will examine the details of your accident and propose the best legal options for pursuing damages.
Reasons to File Your Fort Worth Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit Quickly
Being hit by a car and suffering severe injuries is an experience that could leave you not only physically scarred but emotionally traumatized. We know that it is not easy to turn your attention to litigation soon after a crash. However, it is necessary to get in contact with a Fort Worth pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case.
The statute of limitations is the primary reason why a victim should be concerned about waiting months before pursuing their case. This law limits the amount of time that a victim is given to file a lawsuit with a court. Additionally, as the statute of limitations may be different from state to state, you want to take your case to a local law office that understands the legal regulations in the area where the accident occurred.
If you wish to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Texas, you must file the case no later than two years after the date of the accident. When the plaintiff’s case is not brought within this two-year window, they can no longer seek compensation for their injuries through the court. Consequently, the victim would then have to use personal funds to manage medical expenses and other financial problems caused by the crash.
While the filing deadline is the main reason to file your case early, there are other benefits for this course of action. Pursuing a lawsuit soon after the crash would make it easier to gather evidence and locate witnesses or parties to the accident. For example, a star witness may have a hazy memory of the incident if you contact them a year after the crash. Also, a Fort Worth pedestrian accident lawyer may be concerned about taking your case if you brought it to them as the deadline swiftly approached.
Fort Worth Pedestrian Accident Lawyers are Ready to Work with You
If you or a loved one were victims of a pedestrian accident, speak with our talented Fort Worth pedestrian accident lawyer. The Queenan Law Firm has spent years getting our clients the results they deserve in a pedestrian accident case. Call (817) 476-1797 for your free consultation with a member of our legal team.