Pedestrian accidents are often life-changing, leading to serious injuries and other severe consequences. In Indiana, pedestrians share the road with vehicles, making them vulnerable to accidents caused by reckless or negligent drivers.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, it’s essential to understand your legal rights. Working with an experienced Indiana accident lawyer can help you seek fair compensation throughout the legal process.
Our top-rated pedestrian accident lawyer in Indiana, Vaughn A. Wamsley, has decades of experience helping victims of pedestrian accidents recover compensation for their injuries. His legal experience and compassionate approach ensure that you’ll have the support you need on the road to recovery.
The Importance of Seeking Legal Representation After a Pedestrian Accident
After being injured in a pedestrian accident, the last thing you want to deal with is complicated legal paperwork or negotiating with insurance companies. That’s why contacting a pedestrian accident attorney in Indiana is critical as soon as possible. Vaughn A. Wamsley understands how difficult these cases can be and can guide you through each step of the process, from gathering evidence to handling insurance claims.
Choosing the best pedestrian accident lawyer in Indiana can make all the difference in your case. Vaughn A. Wamsley and his legal team focus on helping victims hold negligent parties accountable while ensuring their rights are protected.
When you’re injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to recover various forms of compensation, also known as damages. Here are some common types of compensation victims may be eligible to receive:
If a pedestrian accident results in death, the family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim, seeking compensation for funeral expenses, loss of consortium, and loss of financial support.
Across the nation, the rate of pedestrian accidents has increased by over 75% since 2010. Large cities across Indiana, like Indianapolis, are especially dangerous for pedestrians. These accidents can lead to severe injuries, often requiring long-term treatment or even permanent care. Some of the most common injuries sustained in these accidents include:
In addition to physical injuries, pedestrian accidents often lead to emotional and mental consequences, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, which can affect the victim’s ability to lead a normal life.
Many factors contribute to pedestrian accidents in Indiana, but some causes are more common than others. These include:
When drivers are using their phones or doing other things that take their attention off the road, they may not see pedestrians, which increases the risk of accidents. Even a few seconds of looking away can result in serious injuries to someone walking nearby.
Drivers who go over the speed limit or don’t stop for pedestrians at crosswalks can cause deadly accidents. The faster a car is going, the less time a driver has to react to avoid hitting someone.
Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are more likely to make bad decisions and may not notice pedestrians in time. Their slowed reactions and poor judgment make it much more dangerous for everyone on the road.
Bad weather, like rain or snow, can make it hard for drivers to see pedestrians and harder to stop quickly. Slippery roads also make it tougher for cars to avoid hitting someone who steps out in front of them.
Cars making left turns often hit pedestrians because drivers may be focused on oncoming traffic and not notice people crossing the street. This is especially risky at busy intersections where there’s a lot to pay attention to.
When drivers are reversing and don’t properly check behind them, they can easily miss pedestrians in parking lots or driveways. Pedestrians, especially children or shorter people, can be hard to see in the car’s blind spots.
If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, our Indiana pedestrian injury lawyer at Vaughn A. Wamsley can help you through the entire legal process. His services include:
After a pedestrian accident, you may have many questions about your rights, the legal process, and what to expect. Here are answers to some common questions:
Liability for a pedestrian accident can fall on several parties, including the driver who caused the accident, the municipality responsible for road safety, or even property owners if the accident occurred on private property. Determining who is at fault often requires a detailed investigation into the circumstances of the accident.
In Indiana, you generally have two years to file a legal claim from the accident date. It’s essential to act quickly to ensure you don’t lose your right to seek compensation. Contacting a no-win, no-fee pedestrian accident lawyer in Indiana as soon as possible is important.
While you can technically file a claim on your own, hiring an Indiana pedestrian accident lawyer can significantly strengthen your case. Attorneys have experience negotiating with insurance companies and can help ensure you receive the compensation you need and deserve.
If the driver who caused the accident does not have adequate or no insurance, you still have options for pursuing compensation. An Indiana pedestrian injury lawyer can help you file a claim through your insurance policy or explore other avenues to recover damages.
The timeline for resolving an injury case after a pedestrian crash depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the details of your case, and whether it goes to trial. Settlements typically take less time than cases that go to court, but providing an exact timeframe is difficult.
In Indiana, there’s a rule called “comparative fault.” This means that if you were partly to blame for the accident, you can still get money to help pay for your injuries. However, the amount of money you get will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault, the money you get would be reduced by 20%. So if you were going to get $100,000, you would only get $80,000.
Critical evidence in pedestrian accident cases includes witness statements, accident reports, medical records, and surveillance footage. An attorney can help you gather and preserve this evidence, ensuring that you build a strong case.
Most pedestrian accident attorneys, including Vaughn A. Wamsley, work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay any fees unless you win your case. This no-win, no-fee pedestrian accident lawyer in Indiana arrangement makes legal representation accessible to everyone.
Our compassionate legal team has been dedicated to helping injured individuals obtain the compensation they deserve for over three decades. Our attorney, Vaughn A. Wamsley, brings years of legal experience and a deep personal understanding of the impact serious injuries can have.
After being hospitalized for over three months following a bicycle accident caused by a drunk driver in 1982, Vaughn has been committed in his fight to protect the rights of injured clients.
With a proven track record as a trial lawyer, Vaughn has built a reputation for standing firm in pursuing fair compensation. His extensive experience has earned him the respect of the insurance industry, which knows he will do whatever it takes to secure the best outcome for his clients.
Whether through negotiations or in court, Vaughn’s commitment to justice is clear. Trust our firm to provide compassionate and effective legal representation, drawing on decades of experience and a passion for helping others.
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, don’t wait to seek legal advice. Contact Vaughn A. Wamsley, Indiana’s best pedestrian accident lawyer, for a free consultation. Let us help you understand your rights, guide you through the legal process, and fight for the compensation you need during this difficult time.
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