Shively Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Many hazards confront pedestrians in Shively, including dangerous or aggressive drivers. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, you should consult an experienced personal injury attorney to look into your personal injury claim. It is sometimes possible to sue a negligent motorist for hitting you, but there are tight time limits that apply to your case, as well as challenges in collecting high-quality evidence.

Meagher Injury Lawyers is a law firm committed to accident victims’ rights. Let us get to work for you and gather the evidence needed to make a claim. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Pedestrian Injuries

Pedestrians lack any kind of buffer between them and moving vehicles, so they suffer the brunt of any collision. Some of the more common injuries include:

• Head injuries. A pedestrian can crack their skull or suffer a concussion. Other head injuries include scalp lacerations, facial injuries, or internal bleeding.
• Skin injuries. Exposed skin can suffer lacerations, abrasions, or cuts. Any skin injury can become infected, which might progress to catastrophic complications like sepsis or necrosis.
• Back injuries. Injury to the spinal column can lead to nerve damage, pain, spinal cord damage, and paralysis.
• Chest injuries. In addition to rib fractures, pedestrians can suffer damage to their lungs, heart, kidneys, or intestines. These injuries often require emergency medical intervention.
• Fractures. Broken bones are common, especially in the legs. A fracture might require screws or plates to keep bones in place so that they can heal.

Common Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere in Shively, but most probably occur at intersections and in parking lots. However, pedestrians can be hurt even when stepping out of their driveways.

We see certain common accidents, such as:

• Right-turn on red collisions. A motorist comes to only a rolling stop and makes a right-hand turn without checking that the intersection is free of pedestrians.
• Left-hand turn accidents. These are harder turns for motorists to make, and many neglects to check that the way is clear.
• Backing up accidents. Motorists in parking lots might fail to check their mirrors before backing up aggressively. They can clip an innocent pedestrian. These accidents are common when motorists back out of driveways.
• Running a red light. Fatigued or intoxicated motorists might fail to stop even though the light is red. Instead, they blow through and hit pedestrians.

Kentucky Laws Related to Pedestrians

Our state has detailed regulations found in Kentucky Revised Statutes § 189.570. Both pedestrians and motorists should obey these rules to promote public safety. Some of the more important regulations include the following:

• Pedestrians should obey all traffic control devices, such as No Walk signs.
• If a pedestrian crosses the road somewhere other than in a crosswalk, then they should yield to all vehicles on the road.
• Pedestrians can’t jump in front of cars and become an imminent hazard.
• Motorists need to yield the right of way to pedestrians on the sidewalk. This means someone backing out of their driveway must yield.
• Motorists should use due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian, which includes hitting the horn to warn a pedestrian of their presence.

These are common sense regulations that pedestrians and drivers should all know. Failure to follow these rules, however, can impact your case.

Pedestrian Accident Compensation

If a motorist is at fault for your collision, you can submit a demand for compensation or possibly even sue. We always seek the maximum compensation available under Kentucky law. We have fought for compensation to cover:

• Medical expenses. Our clients often need surgery, rehab, prescription drugs, crutches, or other assistive devices. They regularly meet with doctors and specialists to keep track of their condition. You should not have to pay for this care.
• Lost income and benefits. Pedestrians suffer terrifying injuries which keep even the most committed employee out of work. You should receive compensation for any lost income, including loss of future income for permanent disabilities.
• Pain and suffering. An accident does more than cost you money. Many victims see their lives tossed upside down and cannot leave the bed due to pain and inconvenience. The category “pain and suffering” refers to these harder-to-define changes in your life.
• Punitive damages. If the defendant acted with gross negligence, you can sue for punitive damages as a way to punish them.

There are certain factors that can limit your financial recovery, including whether the motorist is insured and your own negligence. For example, if you were jaywalking, you will likely receive less than if you were struck in a crosswalk.

Consult a Shively Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Meagher Injury Lawyers is only a phone call away. We offer 100% free legal consultations by phone, video calls via Facetime, Zoom, or other means, or we are happy to meet you in person and discuss your personal injury case.