Pedestrian accidents are some of the worst that are seen on San Rafael’s roads. When a vehicle crashes into a pedestrian on the road, it is always the pedestrian who sustains the worst injuries. Those injuries are costly, and injured pedestrians are often unable to return to work to pay for their medical bills. Pedestrians also typically do not know what to do after a crash, or how to claim the compensation they so desperately need. A San Rafael pedestrian accident lawyer can help injured individuals determine how to file a claim, and give them the best chance of securing the compensation they deserve.
Filing a Claim After a Pedestrian AccidentIn the best of cases, a driver who hits a pedestrian will remain at the scene and provide the person on foot with their contact information, driver’s license, and license plate number, as well as their insurance information. The pedestrian then just has to file a claim with the driver’s insurer. This can become difficult enough, as insurance companies are notorious for delaying, reducing, and denying claims. There are instances when filing a claim can become even more challenging for the pedestrian.
One of those is when the driver has hit a pedestrian and then left the scene. In this scenario, the pedestrian still has options, even if no one saw the vehicle or recorded the driver’s license plate number. If a pedestrian carries their own auto insurance, they can file a claim with their own insurer if they have not refused uninsured motorist coverage.
Pedestrians who do not have their own auto insurance can use their medical insurance to cover their health costs, although they will not be compensated for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages. If you are not sure how to proceed, a pedestrian accident attorney in San Rafael can help.
Accident Claims and NegligencePedestrians cannot simply state that a driver was negligent and caused an accident. They must prove it with strong evidence that shows the driver caused the crash. This is very difficult to do while pedestrians are trying to recover from their injuries, which is why seeking the help of a San Rafael pedestrian accident lawyer is so important.
A lawyer will know what evidence is most important to an accident claim, and how to obtain it. For example, if a driver was texting at the time of the crash, a lawyer can subpoena their phone records to determine if they were on their phone at the time of the accident. A lawyer will also obtain witness statements, pictures of the scene, video surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and more.
Our California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer can Help with Your ClaimIf you have been involved in an accident with a vehicle while you were on foot, it is vital that you speak to a pedestrian accident lawyer in San Rafael at the Brod Law Firm. We know how to collect the necessary evidence, and will also help you deal with the insurance companies when filing your claim. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to arrange a free case evaluation so we can get started on your claim.