Chattanooga Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

As Chattanooga grows, pedestrian foot traffic has also grown greatly, especially in the urban and downtown areas. Sadly, many drivers fail to acknowledge pedestrians and may even be in such a hurry or so distracted by their own lives that they strike pedestrians with their vehicles. Pedestrian collisions can be very severe, even at slow speeds. Even just a “bump” can knock someone over and lead to brain injuries, broken bones, or worse.

At Davis Firm, LLC, a Chattanooga personal accident attorney can meet with you and carefully evaluate your options for pursuing compensation for your injuries. Because Tennessee has a short time limit for filing a personal injury claim, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible and get all the facts.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

Here are a few tips to help protect your rights after a pedestrian crash:

Call 911. If you are hurt, call for help. Police and first responders can secure the scene, keep traffic flowing, help to prevent rubberneckers from causing other wrecks, gather evidence, and create an official record of the accident. Also, they will obtain insurance and contact information from everyone involved, including witnesses. This can all be invaluable information when filing an insurance claim later.

Get Medical Care Right Away. The sooner you get medical treatment, the better. Some injuries may take time to show up, so if you delay treatment, you could end up hurting way worse later on. Just as importantly, however, insurance companies frequently use a delay in care as a reason to deny a claim, even when the injuries are obviously related to the pedestrian accident. Don’t give the insurance company an out.

Keep Your Paperwork. You will likely start getting all sorts of paperwork, including copies of police reports, health insurance explanations of benefits (EOBs), lien letters, and documents from insurance carriers. Keep copies of everything you receive, but do not try to handle things yourself until you’ve talked to a Chattanooga pedestrian injury lawyer.

Do Not Talk to Insurance Adjusters. It can be tempting to try to “work it out” with an insurance adjuster. They are usually very friendly, and they may come across like they are on your side, just looking for a way to get you paid or cover your medical bills. Just remember that they have one job – to get their insured off the hook. The less they pay, the better for them. If you sign things or give recorded statements, you can bet they will use it against you in some way to reduce your compensation.

Call an Experienced Pedestrian Injury Attorney in Chattanooga. As soon as you are able, take the time to schedule a free consultation with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. A knowledgeable attorney can answer questions about the specifics of your case and provide you with the advice you need to make a smart decision on your claim.

How Our Chattanooga Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help

First, at Davis Firm, LLC, our pedestrian accident lawyer will start by performing an investigation. This means talking to witnesses, retrieving medical records and bills, and communicating with police officers and others who may have helpful information. We may also consult with experts who can support your claim.

Next, our law firm will talk to the insurance company about the potential for a settlement. We will take care of all the negotiations, seeking full and fair compensation for the losses you have suffered.

Finally, if a settlement isn’t possible, our attorney can file suit and force the matter to be resolved at trial. Our team has extensive trial experience, and we will be ready to tell your story to a judge and jury.

While these are just some of the big ways we can help, there are a lot of little things along the way that we do to make your life easier. Please contact us today to learn how our team can take come of the pressure off you after a serious pedestrian crash.

Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims

Compensation varies widely, depending on injuries and the specific facts of each case. Still, there are certain things for which you can usually seek reimbursement and compensation. These include:

Medical expenses
Anticipated future treatment costs
Out-of-pocket costs
Lost income
Diminished earning potential for the future
Pain and suffering

Other types of compensation will depend on the circumstances, but in certain limited cases, you may be able to seek payment for emotional distress, disfigurement, and permanent long-term disabilities.

Understanding Your Own Insurance Coverage

A lot of pedestrians are horrified to learn that the individual who hit them was uninsured or underinsured. Or, worse, they were injured by a hit-and-run driver. However, there is still hope for accident victims facing these scenarios.

Although an at-fault driver’s insurance company is ultimately responsible for paying for your injuries, it’s important to understand the coverage that you have. Your auto insurance may cover you even if you were hit while on foot. If you have optional medical payments or uninsured motorist insurance policies for your own vehicles, then you may be able to take advantage of these benefits, even if you were hit as a pedestrian.

When you contact our Chattanooga personal injury attorneys at Davis Firm, LLC, we can review your own insurance policies to determine all the potential sources of compensation available to you.

Time Limits for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Tennessee

Tennessee has one of the shortest possible statutes of limitations in the whole country. Tennessee gives you only one year to file a lawsuit to protect your own interests after a car accident or pedestrian injury.

Given that the time for preparing a lawsuit can go very quickly, especially when you are receiving routine medical care, it’s important to speak with someone from our pedestrian accident law firm as soon as possible. The call is free, so there’s no risk at all.

Talk to a Chattanooga Pedestrian Accident Attorney Now

Even if someone strikes you and flees the scene, you may still have options. A pedestrian hit and run lawyer from Davis Firm, LLC, can talk through all your options for pursuing compensation for your injuries. To find out more or to speak with a trusted lawyer directly free of charge, call us today.

We never charge our clients upfront fees or retainers, and we only collect payment if we successfully recover money for you. So contact our team today to get started on your pedestrian accident claim.

423-756-3591