After a pedestrian accident, it can be overwhelming to navigate the legal and insurance processes on your own. Hiring an experienced pedestrian accident attorney can make a significant difference in your case by ensuring that your rights are protected and that you are not taken advantage of by insurance companies. Our legal team will:

• Investigate the accident: We will collect evidence, interview witnesses, and work with accident reconstruction experts if necessary to build a strong case.
• Handle communication with insurance companies: Insurance adjusters may attempt to offer a low settlement or dispute your claim. We will negotiate on your behalf to secure a fair settlement.
• Determine liability: Our team will identify who was at fault for the accident and pursue compensation from the responsible party.
• Pursue maximum compensation: We will calculate the full value of your claim, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future expenses related to your injuries.

Louisiana law is clear when it comes to the right of way for pedestrians. Generally, pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks and at intersections. Louisiana Revised Statutes (LA RS 32:212) requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, whether they are marked or unmarked. Drivers must also yield when turning at intersections or when pedestrians are crossing legally at traffic lights.

However, pedestrians also have a responsibility to follow traffic laws. For instance, they must use crosswalks when available and avoid walking into the path of an oncoming vehicle when it is impossible for the driver to stop.

The value of a pedestrian accident claim in Louisiana varies depending on the severity of the injuries and the circumstances surrounding the accident. Common damages that can be recovered in a pedestrian accident claim include:

1. Medical Expenses: Compensation for hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, medication, and any future medical care required.
2. Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income and any reduction in future earning capacity.
3. Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
4. Property Damage: If your personal belongings were damaged in the accident, such as your phone or other personal items, you may recover compensation for their repair or replacement.
5. Wrongful Death: If a pedestrian accident results in the death of a loved one, surviving family members may recover compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other related damages.

In Louisiana, you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after a pedestrian accident. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including pedestrian accidents, is one year from the date of the accident (Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492). This means that if you fail to file your claim within one year, you may lose your right to seek compensation.

This one-year deadline also applies to wrongful death claims, meaning the family of a pedestrian killed in an accident has one year from the date of death to file a lawsuit. Because this time frame is so short, it’s critical to contact a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and ensure your case is filed on time.