Shepherdsville Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable when they are in intersections, on sidewalks, and on the roads. They have nothing to protect them against the force of an impact of a vehicle and so when they are struck, they sustain some of the worst injuries. If you or someone you love has been hurt, the collision was very likely caused by a negligent motorist. You should not be left responsible for paying for your medical bills, or for suffering any lost wages if you cannot return to work.

You can file a claim against any negligent driver, or another careless party, who caused your accident. If you are successful with your claim, you can recover financial compensation for any and all of your losses. These claims are incredibly complex, though, and it is important to know the laws that govern them. Below, our Shepherdsville pedestrian accident lawyer explains what these are.

The Pedestrian Laws in Shepherdsville

After being struck by a careless driver, they will likely argue that you were at least partly at fault for the accident. Knowing the pedestrian laws in Shepherdsville can help you defend against these claims so you can recover the full and fair settlement you are entitled to.

• Crosswalk laws: The crosswalk law throughout Kentucky states that pedestrians always have the right-of-way when they are lawfully within a crosswalk. Motorists must slow down or stop until the pedestrian has safely crossed. It is also against the law for any motorist to overtake, or pass, another when they are stopped for a pedestrian at a crosswalk.
• Street crossing: Pedestrians only have the right-of-way when they are within a crosswalk. Although it is not always illegal for pedestrians to cross in an area other than a crosswalk, they must yield the right-of-way to motorists when doing so.
• Sidewalk law: When a sidewalk is available, pedestrians must use it and it is against the law for them to walk on the roadway. Motorists must always yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian on a sidewalk. When there is no sidewalk available, pedestrians must walk on the left side of the road, as far from vehicles as possible.

Even when pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to motorists, drivers still have a duty to focus on the road ahead of them and watch for pedestrians, so they do not become hurt.

The Comparative Fault Law in Shepherdsville

It is critical that you fight back against any claims that you are to blame for your injuries. Although you can still claim compensation if the other side is successful with this argument, it will greatly reduce the number of damages you ultimately receive.

Shepherdsville, as throughout the rest of Kentucky, is governed by pure comparative fault law. This law recognizes that multiple parties, and even those injured, may be partly to blame for an accident. The law also allows anyone hurt to file a claim. Under the pure model of comparative fault law, accident victims can still claim financial compensation if they were 99 percent to blame for an accident.

If you are assigned a certain percentage of fault, that portion is reduced from your overall damages awarded. For example, after being struck by a negligent driver, you may originally be awarded $200,000 for your injuries. However, if it is found that you were 50 percent to blame, you will only receive $100,000 in compensation.

A Shepherdsville pedestrian accident lawyer will know how to refute arguments that you carry any portion of the blame for the accident. This is the only way to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.

The Statute of Limitations on Pedestrian Accident Claims

You do have the right to file a claim against any negligent driver who hurt you, but you only have a limited amount of time to do so. The time limit on pedestrian accident claims in Shepherdsville is at least two years from the date of the crash. The statute of limitations surrounding accidents involving motor vehicles is complex, though. The clock on the statute of limitations may start ticking on the date of the last medical no-fault payment.  It is highly recommended that out of caution a lawsuit is filed within two years of the pedestrian accident.  A Shepherdsville pedestrian accident lawyer can help evaluate your situation and determine if and when a lawsuit may be necessary.

Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Shepherdsville will File Your Claim On Time

If you have been injured, do not hesitate to call our Shepherdsville pedestrian accident lawyers at Meagher Injury Lawyers. Our compassionate attorneys know the devastation these injuries cause and are committed to helping you obtain the full and fair settlement you are entitled to receive. Call us now at (502) 309-9213 or reach out to us online to schedule a free review of your case.