Pedestrian accidents frequently result in expensive medical bills resulting from severe injuries. Recovering damages from the party responsible for your injuries can be crucial for getting your life back on track. Fortunately, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Connecticut can help you through every step of the process to help ensure you get the money you need.
At Claggett, Sykes & Garza, we have an experienced team of Connecticut personal injury lawyers committed to providing you with the best possible legal care. We will use all the resources at our disposal to ensure a favorable outcome for your case. Get in touch with us today to set up a free case evaluation with someone from our legal staff.
The Majority of Pedestrian Accident Cases Are Settled Out of Court
When attempting to recover damages following a pedestrian accident, you need to understand that the majority of these cases end up settling out of court. The reason settling is so common is that it is typically in the best interest of all parties involved. The injured party can get money more quickly while the defendant can avoid unwanted attention that accompanies a trial.
Additionally, neither party will be subjected to the whims of an unpredictable jury. While your case is likely to settle out of court, that does not mean you should accept the first settlement offer you receive. It is critical that you have an experienced attorney review any settlement deal before you sign to ensure that the offer is fair.
Although your case will likely settle, you must still prepare as though it is going to trial. You could come to find that you are unable to agree on terms for a settlement with the at-fault party, making a trial necessary. Furthermore, showing that you are ready to go to trial will put pressure on the opposition to offer better terms to settle the case and avoid a courtroom battle.
Injured in an Accident?
Get the Compensation You Deserve. Our Experienced Lawyers Can Help.
Hire an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney Serving Connecticut as Soon as Possible
When pursuing damages after a pedestrian accident, you must be mindful of the Connecticut personal injury statute of limitations deadline. If you fail to file your lawsuit on time, you may be out of options. Of course, there are exceptions to the deadline that could apply to your case and shift the cutoff date in either direction.
Hiring an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Connecticut soon after your accident is the best way to ensure you meet all applicable deadlines. Your attorney can determine whether or not any special circumstances apply to your case that will affect the filing deadline and complete and submit all the necessary paperwork in time.
By hiring a lawyer early, you will also be putting them in the best possible position to build a strong case on your behalf. Any delays can cause evidence to become lost or corrupted. Additionally, any witness testimony your case may rely upon will be less credible the further out from the date of the accident.
Establishing Negligence in a Pedestrian Accident Case
When attempting to recover compensation for your losses following a pedestrian accident, you will likely have to show that the at-fault party was negligent in their actions. In order to prove negligence, you must show that four elements were present in your case:
- Duty of care
- Breached duty of care
- Damages
- Causation
Duty of Care
The first step in proving negligence and recovering compensatory damages is showing that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care. What this means is that they owed you a duty to behave in a reasonable manner to help ensure your safety.
In most pedestrian accident cases, proving that a duty of care existed is straightforward. For example, when trying to recover compensation from a party that struck you with a vehicle, the existence of a duty of care is clear, as all drivers owe a duty of care to everyone around their vehicle to take reasonable safety precautions while driving to ensure the safety of all.
Breached Duty of Care
The next thing you will need to do to prove negligence is to show that the liable party violated their duty of care. In the case of a driver who hit you with their vehicle, you can establish that they breached their duty of care by proving they were driving under the influence, speeding, texting while driving, or engaging in any other type of unsafe behavior while driving.
Damages
Once you have proven that the at-fault party breached their duty of care, you will need to show that you incurred damages. Your medical records and related medical bills can help prove that you suffered damages in connection with your accident.
Causation
Finally, you will need to demonstrate how everything fits together. An experienced Connecticut pedestrian accident attorney from Claggett, Sykes & Garza can help connect the dots for the court, showing how the liable party breaching their duty of care directly caused the damages you sustained.
In most cases, proving negligence is an essential step in recovering compensation from the at-fault party. If a loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, an experienced Connecticut wrongful death lawyer can assist you in filing a wrongful death claim so you can recover the money you need and deserve.
Suffered a Personal Injury?
Let Us Fight for Your Rights and Maximize Your Compensation.
Reach Out to an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Connecticut Today
After sustaining damages in a pedestrian accident, securing compensation from the party responsible for your damages can be an essential step in getting back on your feet. Hiring an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Connecticut can significantly increase your odds of recovering the money you deserve, as opposed to attempting to represent yourself.
At Claggett, Sykes & Garza, our experienced legal team is always prepared to take any case to trial if necessary to ensure our clients recover the money they need and deserve. Contact us by using our chat tool, giving us a call, or filling out our online contact form today to schedule a free initial case review.
