North Charleston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

When you are involved in an accident as a pedestrian, you are likely going to suffer serious injuries. Pedestrians generally have very little protection from harm when it comes to a collision with a car or other vehicle. A pedestrian accident can easily turn your life upside down and make it incredibly challenging to get things back to normal.

If you suffered an injury because of the negligence of another party, you could be entitled to collect compensation. At Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, we are ready to help you recover the money you need and deserve. Contact a North Charleston personal injury lawyer today to learn more about your rights and legal options with a free case evaluation.

Financial Compensation You Can Pursue After a Pedestrian Accident

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, you have certainly suffered a wide variety of losses. Fortunately, you will likely not have to cover the cost you incur. With the help of an experienced North Charleston pedestrian accident attorney, you can recover a wide range of damages. All your losses can be categorized as either economic or non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Following a pedestrian accident, you can aim to recover economic damages for any losses you suffered that directly impacted your finances. These damages can cover costs including:

• Ambulance transportation
• Hospital bills
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy
• Future medical expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Decreased earning ability

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages encompass any other losses you suffer that are not directly related to your finances. These damages can cover losses including:

• Pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life
• Permanent disability
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of companionship

In addition to these compensatory damages, some cases also qualify for punitive damages. Punitive damages are reserved for situations where the liable party acted in a criminally negligent manner or was deliberately attempting to cause harm to others.

How Can a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help Get Me the Money I Need?

There are many benefits to hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer in North Charleston. Not only will doing so give you the best chance of recovering fair compensation for your damages, but it will also allow you to focus on healing from your injuries rather than attempting to build a legal case. 

When you hire a pedestrian accident attorney, some of the steps they will likely take on your behalf include:

• Investigating your accident to determine liability and gather evidence
• Speaking with witnesses and experts
• Securing a copy of the police accident report
• Assessing your damages and calculating the value of your claim
• Filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the liable party
• Building your case
• Handling negotiations with the insurance company or the liable party’s attorneys
• Fighting your case in court if a settlement agreement can not be reached

Your attorney can also help protect you against predatory practices used by insurance companies to attempt to avoid paying out your claim. 

Proving Fault for a Pedestrian Accident

One of the first things you can expect your attorney to do after getting hired is establishing who is liable for your damages. You will not be able to pursue compensation until you know from whom you are attempting to recover damages. Proving liability can often be challenging, with a variety of parties potentially holding a level of responsibility.

Fortunately, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in North Charleston will know exactly what to look for as they attempt to uncover who is to blame for your damages.

Comparative Negligence in South Carolina

When figuring out how much money you can collect for your damages, you need to consider South Carolina’s comparative negligence laws. Under this system, multiple parties can hold a level of fault for a pedestrian accident. If you are found to be partially responsible for the accident in which you were injured, the money you can recover will be reduced accordingly.

The amount of compensation you are eligible to receive will be proportional to your level of fault. For example, if you are determined to hold 10% of the fault for an accident, you will only be eligible to recover 90% of the true value of your claim. Similarly, a fault level of 30% will mean that you can potentially recover 70% or the full value of your claim.

If you are found to have a fault level over 50%, you will not be eligible to seek compensation for your damages. Instead, you could find yourself in a position where others are attempting to recover compensation from you and your insurance company.

The Cost of Hiring a Pedestrian Accident Attorney

The cost of hiring an attorney is one of the main concerns that prevent accident victims from obtaining legal counsel. However, cost should never be a factor when it comes to seeking legal aid after an accident. Pedestrian accident lawyers generally work on a contingency fee basis. That means these attorneys only collect a fee if they get money for their clients.

Contingency fee-based pricing means your lawyer will not charge you any money upfront or charge an hourly rate. Instead, they will receive a single fee which is assessed as a fixed percentage of the compensation your recover. This type of fee structure allows all accident victims to seek legal counsel, regardless of their financial means.

Get Started With an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney in North Charleston Today

When looking for a North Charleston pedestrian accident lawyer, it is essential to choose someone with a history of handling cases similar to yours. 

At Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, we have been helping accident victims recover the compensation they need for years. Contact us today via phone or our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.