Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Slidell
Like most cities in America, Slidell is a car-centric city. While the local administration has taken several measures to make the area pedestrian-friendly, pedestrian accidents still happen at frequent intervals and the consequences are almost always catastrophic.
At Trainor Law Firm, we know how devastating pedestrian accidents can be. If you have been injured or if you have lost someone in a pedestrian accident, we will stand by you, protect your rights, hold the at-fault parties accountable, and fight tenaciously to recover every dollar you are owed.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Slidell, LA
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Failing to yield pedestrians the right of way
- Failing to look out for pedestrians before making left turns
Intersections – in particular – can be deadly for pedestrians, as motorists mostly focus on other motorists and completely fail to look out for pedestrians. One such intersection – at Front Street and Fremaux Avenue – has become so congested that the City Council is planning to develop crosswalks to make it pedestrian-friendly.
Common Injuries Resulting from Pedestrian Accidents in Slidell, LA
Whenever a pedestrian is hit by a motor vehicle, the resulting injuries are almost always serious in nature. Due to the fact that pedestrians do not have any kind of protection, they are at risk of suffering debilitating and even fatal injuries in the event of an accident. As long as the pedestrian was following the rules of the road, they would usually be entitled to recover full damages in absence of any shared fault of their own for their injuries.
The most common types of injuries that can result from a pedestrian accident include:
- Broken bones
- Limb loss
- Crush injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Chest and rib injuries
- Injuries to the spleen, liver, kidneys, and other internal organs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Damages That Can Be Recovered in a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Slidell, LA
Under Louisiana law, you have the right to recover special damages as well as general damages from the at-fault party:
Special Damages
- Medical expenses (including ambulance charges, emergency medical care, diagnostic tests, surgery, physician’s charges, pain management treatment, and prescription medications)
- Future medical expenses (the estimated cost of treatment and care you might need in the foreseeable future in order to recover fully or to reach the point of maximum medical improvement)
- Rehabilitation expenses (physical therapy, occupational therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and counseling)
- Lost earnings
- Loss of earning capacity (the estimated amount of money you would be able to earn if you had not been injured)
- Property damage (the estimated cost of repairing or replacing the items that were damaged in the accident)
General Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability
- Permanent or serious disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
Fatal injuries are extremely common in pedestrian accidents. If you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, you can file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party and recover the following damages.
- Medical bills (the cost of treatment provided to your loved one until their death)
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost earnings (the amount of money they would have earned if they had been alive)
- Loss of inheritance
- Household services (the estimated value of services they would have provided as a spouse and as a parent)
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium (compensation for the loss of intimacy, companionship, guidance, and emotional support caused by your loved one’s death)
Louisiana’s Comparative Negligence Law – What You Need to Know
Louisiana is one of the 13 states that follow the doctrine of pure comparative negligence, which allows you to recover compensation even if you are at fault for the accident.
Unlike the modified version of comparative negligence law, under which you can be barred from recovering damages if you are found to be 51% at fault for the accident, pure comparative law allows you to recover compensation even if you are found to be 99% at fault for the accident.
Under the law, the amount of compensation you are awarded will be reduced in proportion to the extent or degree to which you are found to be at fault. For instance, if you were 30% at fault for the accident, and if you are awarded $100,000, you will receive $70,000.
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Slidell, LA
The deadline for filing a pedestrian accident claim in Slidell is one year. The one-year deadline starts from the date of the accident in the event of a personal injury claim. In case of a wrongful death claim, the deadline starts from the date on which your loved one died.
The deadline for filing personal injury and wrongful death claims in Louisiana is much shorter compared to most other states, where you have two years or longer to file a claim. So, it’s critical for you to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
Choose the Most Trusted Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Slidell, LA to Fight for You
At Trainor Law Firm, we are committed to providing effective legal representation and compassionate counsel to victims of pedestrian accidents. Our founder – Brian F. Trainor – is a highly rated and accomplished personal injury lawyer who is known for his exceptional legal knowledge and aggressive negotiation skills.
A former Assistant District Attorney and Legal Advisor to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Brain F. Trainor has first-hand knowledge of how the legal system in the state works and has extensive connections in the state and local legal machinery. He can protect your rights as an injury victim and fight tirelessly to recover every dollar you are owed.
Call our law firm today at 985-900-2250 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Slidell, LA pedestrian accident lawyers.