Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Tulsa, Oklahoma

In the United States, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic accident every 88 minutes, on average. Many more pedestrians are injured by being struck by motor vehicles—and when those accidents occur, pedestrians involved are likely entitled to compensation for their injuries and suffering.

If you or someone you know is injured as a pedestrian, that individual is likely facing medical bills, a loss of income, and temporary or even permanent losses of mobility and physical health, along with possible mental suffering. To ensure that these direct and indirect losses receive proper compensation, connect with a pedestrian accident lawyer who can advocate on their behalf and secure financial and other forms of necessary support.

Pedestrian accident attorneys can provide you with essential legal counsel and representation. They can assist with securing fair compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damages suffered and provide guidance and support throughout the legal process.

What Are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

While all pedestrian accidents share similar characteristics of a vehicle striking a pedestrian on foot, there are many different reasons why these accidents occur—and, in many cases, the cause for the accident can be relevant to the legal proceedings and claims sought by the injured party.

Common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Speeding through a crosswalk;

• Distracted driving;

• Texting or talking on the phone while driving;

• Disobeying traffic signals;

• Driving while intoxicated;

• Driving at unsafe speeds given the weather conditions.

Keep in mind that, in some cases, a driver may commit several of these actions that increase the risk of striking a pedestrian in the road.

Legal Options for a Pedestrian Hit By a Car

While your first priority as the injured party in a pedestrian accident should be to seek appropriate medical care, you will also need to make decisions regarding your legal course of action. As the victim of the accident, you have multiple legal options to consider, all of which carry different opportunities and implications.

Here's a look at the various legal actions you may need to consider as you deal with the fallout from your accident:

• Contacting police to report the accident. Notifying the police should always be done as soon as your medical needs are addressed. If able, take photos of the scene of the accident, or have a witness to the event take photos and provide you with their contact information. You should also notify your insurance company, since that company will likely be involved in any legal process.

• File a claim against the driver. The most common legal course of action, beyond contacting the police, is filing a claim against the driver that hit you. Since the driver is very likely to be at-fault and held liable, your claim may have a strong chance of being upheld and enforced by the court. Keep in mind that this claim should be filed even if you're in a no-fault state where your insurance is required to cover your medical bills for an accident. This no-fault coverage only applies to your healthcare, so your claim against the driver will have a broader scope and the ability to increase your compensation even further.

• File a claim against the municipality. In some cases, pedestrian accidents are caused entirely or partially by insufficient traffic control devices, such as broken stop lights, poorly marked crosswalks, or missing or obscured traffic signs. Your attorney can review the facts of your case to determine whether you have grounds to file a claim against the local government where the accident occurred.

What Damages Can You Seek in a Pedestrian Accident Settlement?

Even if you aren't seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, it's important to consult with an attorney to consider the full range of damages you may be entitled to receive. Damages and losses from an accident can come in many forms, and some of the damages you may have suffered may not be evident to you in the heat of the moment after an accident.

Your attorney can help you determine whether you want to seek damages for the following claims:

• Medical bills

• Loss of wages if you're unable to work or lose your job

• Loss of future earnings

• Cost of future medical care

• Transportation costs if your accident affects your ability to commute or travel

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress/post-traumatic stress

In addition, your attorney can also advise you on whether to seek punitive damages from the court based on the egregious or deplorable behavior of the party that injured you with their motor vehicle.

How to Find a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Tulsa

If you're in need of a pedestrian accident lawyer to handle your case locally in Tulsa, your top priority should be finding a law office that can meet with you immediately and help you take quick action to seek compensation. Look for a law office with years of experience in personal injury law, and consider consulting friends or family for the names of law offices they are familiar with or have worked within the past.

The faster you can connect with an attorney, the faster you'll be able to receive badly needed compensation for your losses and suffering. Don't wait too long to reach out—contact an attorney today to get yourself on the path to recovery.