Gulfport Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Going for a walk is a great way to get exercise or run your errands. However, despite a collection of laws that exist to protect the wellbeing of pedestrians, many people suffer injuries because of the poor decisions of drivers. Even so, just because one person was in a car or truck and the other was on foot does not guarantee success in a demand for compensation. Instead, the law requires you to show that another party was to blame for an accident and demonstrate the extent of your losses.

Talmadge Braddock, our dedicated Gulfport pedestrian accident lawyer, can help you in both these areas. We work to discover the full evidence in a case that points to a driver as being to blame for a collision. The competent personal injury attorney at The Braddock Law Firm, PLLC can also obtain medical bills and records, as well as other information that help to prove how the event has changed your life. In sum, we take care of all the details needed to protect your legal rights while you make your best recovery.

How to Avoid a Collision While Walking

Obtaining a driver’s license comes with the responsibility to respect and consider passengers, fellow drivers and pedestrians alike. Pedestrians often assume the right-of-way in all situations, however, they have responsibilities as well. The location in which pedestrians walk on the road, what time of day and clothing they are wearing all play a part in visibility and safety. The talented attorney at Braddock Law could explain how to keep yourself safe while walking. Our pedestrian accident lawyer could also help you recover compensation in the event you are struck while walking in Gulfport.

Clothing

Just as with cycling, pedestrians walking at night should be wearing bright, reflective clothing. They should also consider carrying a flightlight. This helps drivers to notice pedestrians and stay alert about their whereabouts.

Crossing

Pedestrians should always try and cross the street at a crosswalk. At night especially, walkers should try and cross streets in well-lit areas. When crossing, it is best if pedestrians are visible even prior to crossing. This means not standing behind bushes, bus stops, fences, signage or anything that could obstruct a driver’s view of the pedestrian. Refrain from using headphones when crossing streets, and never assume that vehicles will stop for you.

Where to Walk

Whenever a sidewalk is available, walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the side of the street that faces oncoming traffic. Stay alert to your surroundings. Listen for reverse lights on large trucks, check around corners before walking or crossing and again, never assume a vehicles sees you or will stop.

Stay Alert

Next time you are walking to work, school, to the store or even just across the street, be sure to stay alert. Check your surroundings, listen for vehicles and make yourself as visible as possible. Do your part in trying to prevent an accident by practicing safe walking.

If you have been in a pedestrian accident – whether it involved a bicycle, automobile or motorcycle – be sure to seek legal guidance. Distracted drivers and negligent motorists need to be held accountable for their actions. If you or a loved one was injured or killed while exercising your right to be a pedestrian, call for a free consultation on how to proceed with your case. Braddock Law has 20 years of experience and will be able to offer you and your family the best possible representation.

Proving Fault for a Gulfport Pedestrian Accident

The law never presumes a driver to be responsible for a pedestrian accident. Instead, you must show why a driver should carry the blame for an incident while walking. In some situations, this is fairly straightforward. If a pedestrian was using a crosswalk and a driver had a red light, it is almost certain that a driver was to blame for the collision.

However, other cases are more complex. A crash may occur in the middle of a road or in a parking lot. Here, it is necessary to show how a driver’s carelessness or distraction caused the accident. Our pedestrian accident attorney with The Braddock Law Firm, PLLC can help uncover the evidence needed to demonstrate fault for your injuries acquired while you traveled on foot in Gulfport.

What Compensation May be Available after a Pedestrian Collision in Gulfport?

The purpose of a pedestrian accident case is to obtain the payments needed to set things right. This means that an injured person must be able to evaluate the ways in which the event has changed their life and connect those changes to the accident.

If you were hit by a motor vehicle while walking, Talmadge Braddock, our knowledgeable lawyer, can demand compensation in three categories. The first is medical bills connected to a physical injury. This can include an ambulance ride, an ER visit, surgery, and rehabilitation. The second is emotional trauma. Pedestrian collisions can result in severe pain and suffering. In addition, they may reduce a person’s overall quality of life.

The third category is lost income. If an incident has kept a person off work while they make a recovery or causes a permanent disability, an at-fault driver and their insurance company are liable for these missing earnings.

Statute of Limitations

Even so, none of these payments are available if a person does not act quickly. Mississippi Code § 15-1-49 is the state’s statute of limitations for most personal injury cases. It says that there is a time limit of three years after the date of an incident for a person to bring a case to court. This also applies to scenarios where an individual is seeking damages through an insurance settlement.

Contact a Gulfport Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Drivers have a responsibility under the law to protect people traveling on foot. This includes those in crosswalks, sidewalks, and parking lots. A driver who causes a collision by ignoring a rule of the road or by simple carelessness is liable for all resulting damage. This can involve medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress.

Our Gulfport pedestrian accident lawyer could take the lead in pursuing your case. we handle all the details to prove fault, measure your losses, and protect your rights from aggressive insurance companies. Get in touch with The Braddock Law Firm, PLLC today to discover more about how we can help.