Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Covington, LA
Walking along the tree-lined streets of Covington can be a memorable experience. We have beautiful scenery here, and people here like to walk along E Gibson St, or E Lockwood Street to get to the little shops in town.
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are common in Covington – as is the case with other cities in Louisiana. Data shows that Louisiana is a dangerous state for pedestrians and has a higher pedestrian injury and mortality rate compared to many other states.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Covington, LA, the reliable and motivated personal injury lawyers at Trainor Law Firm are ready to fight for you. We can protect your rights as an injury victim, hold all the at-fault parties accountable, and fight aggressively to obtain the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Why Pedestrians are Vulnerable on the Streets of Covington, LA?
The primary reason why pedestrians are considered the most vulnerable road users is that they lack the physical protections that motorists have. Also, many motorists simply do not care about the fact that pedestrians have just as much right to get where they are going safely as they do. It is why motorists sometimes fail to look out for pedestrians on the road and fail to yield them the right of way.
The streets of Covington are particularly dangerous for pedestrians, owing to the fact that they were designed in the 1880s – long before America became an automobile-dependent country. Experts say that many of the city’s roads are too small to accommodate so many vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Above all, distracted driving has become a menace in Louisiana – as it has in other parts of the country. Many people tend to drive with their eyes glued to their cellphone, which can significantly increase the risk of catastrophic accidents.
Many roads and intersections – including the intersection of US 190 at LA 25, which is located in the central part of St. Tammany Parish – are considered dangerous for pedestrians owing to their high traffic volume.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Covington, LA
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
- Fatigued driving
- Turning at intersections without looking out for pedestrians
- Failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians
- Failing to stop at crosswalks
Common Injuries That Can Result from a Covington, LA Pedestrian Accident
- Deep cuts, lacerations, and ligament tears
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Traumatic amputation resulting in limb loss
- Injuries to the neck, spinal cord, and back
- Injuries to the chest and ribs
- Traumatic brain injuries
What Kind of Damages Can Be Recovered in a Covington, LA Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Economic Damages
- Accident-related medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Cost of rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability
- Diminished quality of life
Apart from this, Louisiana law also allows injury victims to be awarded punitive or exemplary damages if the at-fault driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.
Damages That Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Claim in Covington, LA
A significant percentage of pedestrian accidents in Louisiana – especially those involving children and elderly people – tend to result in fatal injuries. If you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, you can bring a wrongful death claim against the parties responsible for the accident and recover the following damages.
- Cost of medical care provided to the injury victim until their death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of future income
- Loss of benefits
- Loss of inheritance
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
Under Louisiana law, the following people have the right to file a wrongful death claim.
- Spouse
- Parents
- Siblings
- Children
- Grandparents
Deadline for Filing Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims in Covington, LA
The deadline for filing personal injury as well as wrongful death claims in Covington, LA is set at one year. The one-year deadline starts right from the date of the accident. Compared to most other states – where the deadline for filing tort claims can be anywhere from 2 to 6 years – Louisiana’s deadline is considerably shorter. It is why you need to get in touch with a Covington, LA pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as you possibly can after the accident.
What You Need to Know about Louisiana’s Comparative Negligence Doctrine
Louisiana’s comparative negligence doctrine allows you to be compensated for your injuries and other losses even if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident. With that said, your compensation will be reduced based on the extent of your involvement in the accident.
For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for the accident, and if you are awarded $200,000 in damages, you will receive $160,000.
It should be noted that many states follow a modified version of the comparative negligence doctrine, under which an injury victim cannot recover any compensation if they are found to be 51% at fault for the accident. It is not the case with Louisiana, as the state follows the pure comparative negligence doctrine, under which you can recover compensation even if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident.
Legal Assistance is Available from Top-Rated Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Covington, LA
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you need a competent and compassionate attorney on your side. Attorney Brian F. Trainor has extensive experience in representing pedestrian accident victims and can help you get the monetary compensation you are entitled to.
A former Assistant District Attorney, Brian knows how the state’s legal system works better than anyone else. Under his guidance, our legal team has recovered substantial damages for our clients over the years and has earned a reputation for litigating challenging tort claims.
To find out how we can help you, call us today at 985-900-2250 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated Covington, LA pedestrian accident lawyer.
