There are plenty of places to stroll in Memphis — along the Memphis Riverfront, down Beale Street, the Cooper-Young in Midtown, and Downtown Memphis.
But anytime pedestrians use crosswalks or walk along roadways, they risk accidents with motor vehicles. And they are particularly vulnerable In Memphis, dubbed the most dangerous U.S. city for walkers.
Pedestrian accidents can result in serious, life-threatening injuries. If you or a loved one was hit by a motor vehicle in Memphis, you need a Memphis Pedestrian Accident Attorney who will fight for your right to compensation. Contact Wright Gray Law Firm today to discuss your legal options.
Memphis Pedestrian Accident Guide
- Why Choose Wright Gray Law Firm for Your Pedestrian Accident Claim?
- How Common are Pedestrian Accidents in Memphis?
- Should I Accept the First Offer From the Insurance Company?
- Do I Have a Pedestrian Accident Case?
- What Damages Are Available for Pedestrian Accident Victims?
- How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help With My Pedestrian Accident Case?
- Contact the Memphis Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Wright Gray Law Firm Today
Why Choose Wright Gray Law Firm for Your Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Wright Gray Law Firm was established when two experienced personal injury lawyers joined together to create one powerful legal force.
Our personal injury lawyers prioritize helping accident victims obtain justice and compensation from the party that caused them harm. Through the years, our lawyers and support team have recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We take every case seriously, carefully evaluating all angles to assess the full value that our clients deserve. And we fight for maximum compensation on their behalf.
Contact us today for your free consultation and learn about your options for financial recovery.
How Common are Pedestrian Accidents in Memphis?
Motorists struck and killed nearly 8,000 people on U.S. roads last year, and emergency departments treated another 104,000 for non-fatal pedestrian accident injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Memphis is especially dangerous, according to a recent survey of major U.S. cities, which listed it as the most dangerous in the country for walkers, with a score of eight out of a possible 100 in pedestrian safety. There were 83 pedestrians killed in Memphis roadways last year — nearly twice as many as the 42 killed the previous year.
Should I Accept the First Offer From the Insurance Company?
If a motor vehicle struck you or a loved one, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may quickly offer to settle your claim. This may seem like an inviting offer considering your medical bills and related expenses, especially if the accident victim cannot work due to their injuries.
Before you accept any offer, consult a lawyer to understand what your claim is really worth.
Insurance companies make offers that don't fully compensate the victim and their family for all the damages they suffered. They hope the family doesn't retain legal counsel; otherwise, they will know they were short-changed.
When you accept an offer without understanding the actual value of your claim, you may waive your right to seek more compensation if your injuries require more treatment or you cannot work for longer than you had planned.
An experienced pedestrian accident attorney from Wright Gray Law Firm can assess your damages and advise you whether to accept an offer from the insurance company or fight for fair compensation.
Do I Have a Pedestrian Accident Case?
To establish a successful pedestrian accident case based on negligence, you typically must establish the four elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: The first element establishes that the defendant owed a duty of care to the pedestrian. In pedestrian accident cases, drivers generally must exercise reasonable caution and follow traffic laws to avoid harming pedestrians. Duty can vary depending on the circumstances, such as the duty of a driver to yield at a crosswalk or exercise extra caution in school zones.
- Breach of Duty: The second element requires demonstrating that the defendant breached their duty of care. This means showing that the defendant's actions or omissions fell below the expected standard of care expected in a given situation. For instance, if a driver broke the speed limit, drove distractedly, or otherwise disobeyed traffic laws, they breached their duty.
- Causation: The third element establishes a causal link between the defendant's breach of duty and the pedestrian's injuries or damages. In other words, you must prove that the defendant's negligent actions caused the pedestrian's injuries. This can involve showing that but for the defendant's breach of duty, the accident and injuries would not have occurred.
- Damages: The fourth element involves proving that the pedestrian suffered actual damages due to the accident. These damages can include medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, property damage, and other losses related to the pedestrian's injuries or property damage.
To succeed in a pedestrian accident case, you need evidence and must establish each of these four elements. This often requires gathering witness statements, police reports, medical records, and other documentation to support your claim.
What Damages Are Available for Pedestrian Accident Victims?
Victims of pedestrian accidents may recover economic and non-economic damages for their injuries.
Economic Damages
These tangible and quantifiable losses result from an accident or injury. Lawyers calculate these damages with specific dollar amounts.
- Medical Expenses: This includes the expense of emergency medical care, hospitalization, surgeries, doctor's visits, medications, rehabilitation, and any other necessary medical treatments related to their accident injuries.
- Lost Earnings: If the pedestrian cannot work due to their injuries, they may recover compensation for lost income and future earning capacity.
- Property Damage: This covers the repair or replacement of personal property, such as clothing, electronics, or other items the accident damaged.
- Rehabilitation and Therapy: In cases of severe injuries, victims may require ongoing rehabilitation or physical therapy, which economic damages can recover.
Non-Economic Damages
These intangible losses require a pedestrian accident lawyer to precisely quantify. They compensate the victim for the subjective physical and emotional impact of the injury.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates the pedestrian for physical pain, emotional distress, and suffering caused by the accident and their injuries.
- Psychological Trauma: Non-economic damages may also include compensation for emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and other psychological distress resulting from the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the pedestrian's injuries significantly reduce their ability to participate in activities they enjoyed before the accident, they may recover compensation for the lost enjoyment of life.
- Loss of Consortium: This compensates the spouse or family members of the pedestrian for the loss of companionship and support resulting from the injuries suffered in the accident.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help With My Pedestrian Accident Case?
Qualified legal representation can significantly increase your chances of a successful outcome in your pedestrian accident case.
A personal injury lawyer from Wright Gray Law Firm can help with your Memphis pedestrian accident case in several ways:
Legal Advice
Our lawyers have a deep understanding of the relevant legal principles, regulations, and precedents of personal injury law. They can navigate the complex legal system on your behalf and provide you with legal advice.
Investigation
Your lawyer can conduct an investigation of the pedestrian accident, and gather evidence, including witness statements, police reports, and expert opinions to establish liability and build a strong case.
Negotiation
Your lawyer can engage in negotiations with insurance companies or the at-fault party's legal representatives to seek a fair and adequate settlement for your injuries and damages. They will work to ensure you obtain compensation that fully addresses your losses.
Documentation
Your lawyer can help collect and organize all the necessary documentation, including medical records, bills, and other evidence, to substantiate your claim for damages.
Advocacy
Your lawyer serves as your advocate, representing your interests and fighting for your rights. They can make sure insurance companies or opposing parties do not take advantage of you.
Trial Representation
If negotiations cannot reach a fair settlement, your lawyer can take your case to court and represent you in a trial, presenting your case before a judge and jury.
Managing Deadlines
Legal proceedings involve strict deadlines and paperwork requirements. Your attorney files all necessary documents correctly and on time, preventing legal pitfalls.
Experience With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies can make pedestrian accident claims complex and challenging. Our lawyers are experienced in handling insurance claims, which can help you when insurance adjusters minimize your compensation.
Maximizing Compensation
Ultimately, your lawyer will obtain the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the accident.
Contact the Memphis Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Wright Gray Law Firm Today
Pedestrian accidents are a tragic and all-too-common occurrence in Memphis. They forever alter lives, leaving families to cope with the emotional and financial burdens of these accidents.
If a pedestrian accident injured you or a loved one, you deserve compensation for your medical bills and other losses. The Memphis pedestrian accident attorneys at Wright Gray Law Firm can help you seek justice and the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact Memphis personal injury lawyer today at 504-500-0000 or through our online form for your free and confidential case consultation, and let us explain your options for financial recovery.
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Wright Gray Trial Lawyers - Memphis Office
5050 Poplar Ave Suite 1925
Memphis, TN 38157
P: 504-500-0000