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Pedestrians must be wary of traffic and other hazards on Columbia, Missouri’s bustling streets. If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, we know how distressing the aftermath can be. At , our Columbia pedestrian accident lawyers are focused on protecting the rights of injured pedestrians and fighting for compensation.
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Columbia, MO, contact our law office today at (314) 444-4444 to schedule your free consultation with a Columbia pedestrian accident attorney.
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How Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers Will Help After a Pedestrian Accident in Columbia, MO
At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, our team of Columbia pedestrian accident lawyers understands how serious these accidents can be. From physical injuries to lost wages, the impacts of pedestrian accidents can be devastating. With over 100 years of combined experience, our Columbia pedestrian accident lawyers know how to help you recover. We have obtained over $100 million in compensation for the injured, including pedestrians, and earned recognition as Best Lawyers in America.
A Columbia personal injury lawyer will handle all aspects of your case, including:
- Investigating liability for your pedestrian accident
- Collecting accident reports and medical records
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Retaining experts
- Filing insurance claims and lawsuits
- Negotiating high-value settlements
Contact our team today if you or a loved one has been injured in a Columbia pedestrian accident.
What Causes Columbia Pedestrian Accidents?
Pedestrian accidents in Columbia often stem from many factors. Understanding these can help pedestrians and drivers avoid these serious collisions.
Our team of Columbia pedestrian accident lawyers will fight for victims however their accident occurs, including from:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Disregarding traffic signs or signals
- Poor visibility
- Distracted pedestrians
Identifying the cause of your pedestrian accident is the first step in establishing negligence and seeking compensation. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, consult a Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer to understand your rights and options.
What is My Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
The value of your Columbia pedestrian accident case will likely depend on the following crucial factors:
- The severity of your injuries
- The strength of your evidence
- Limits to insurance policies
- Time missed from work
- The impact of the accident on your quality of life
A Columbia pedestrian accident attorney can help you assess what your case is worth and pursue all available compensation.
What Compensation Can I Recover for My Columbia Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrian accidents can have devastating consequences, particularly if you or a loved one have been struck by a large or fast-moving vehicle. You may be entitled to seek compensation for the impacts of your accident if someone else’s negligence caused it. This compensation, known as damages in personal injury law, is categorized into economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages represent the calculable losses you suffer in a pedestrian accident. You can generally calculate these after reviewing bills, receipts, and other documentation.
Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses: Compensation for injury-related medical care such as hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, and physical therapy.
- Rehabilitation costs: Compensation to cover rehab and rehabilitative services that may be necessary for you to make a full recovery.
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity: Compensation for wages lost due to missed work while you recover. You may also seek compensation for lost future earning potential you may miss out on because of the accident.
- Property Damage: Compensation for repairing or replacing personal property damaged due to your pedestrian accident.
These economic costs are typically documented. A Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer will help you value your economic damages and account for them in any settlement.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible, personal impacts of a pedestrian accident, including:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical discomfort, emotional distress, and other suffering you endured due to the accident.
- Emotional distress: Compensation for the psychological repercussions of your accident, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for losing your ability to engage in daily activities and hobbies as you did before the accident.
- Wrongful death and survivor damages: Compensation for families to claim for emotional distress, lost financial support, and funeral expenses if a pedestrian accident results in the death of a loved one.
Non-economic damages are subjective, but they are no less real under Missouri law. A Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer will help you fight for the non-economic damages you may be entitled to. Remember, the compensation awarded in every case is different. Our team will help you understand the compensation that may be available and pursue a fair settlement for those amounts.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Columbia Pedestrian Accident?
You will need to prove negligence to recover compensation after your Columbia pedestrian accident. This requires showing by a preponderance of the evidence that someone was at fault for the accident and your injuries.
This typically involves proving four elements, including:
- Duty of care: You must show that another person or entity had an obligation to act in a way that would avoid harming you and other pedestrians. For example, drivers have a duty to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
- Breach of Duty: You must demonstrate that the other person or entity failed to uphold their duty. A breach occurs if a driver does not adhere to established standards, such as failing to yield or ignoring traffic signals.
- Causation: You must prove causation and show that a driver’s breach of duty directly caused your injuries. It must be evident that your injuries would not have occurred without the driver’s negligence.
- Damages: You must show the full extent of damages you incurred from the pedestrian accident. This includes damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
A Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer can be instrumental in proving negligence. Our team can help you piece together evidence, including accident reports, photographs, and witness statements, to establish negligence and your damages.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Pedestrian Accident in Missouri?
Missouri is a pure comparative negligence state. This allows you to still recover compensation, as long as you are not fully responsible for the pedestrian accident. However, your damages will be reduced in proportion to your share of the fault.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Columbia, Missouri?
Being involved in a pedestrian accident can be a traumatic experience. If you find yourself in such a situation in Columbia, know the steps to take for your health and safety and any subsequent insurance claims or lawsuits you may need to pursue.
Here is what you should do:
- Seek immediate medical attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you believe you have not been injured, seek medical attention immediately to be evaluated for any hidden injuries.
- Report the accident: Contact the police after a pedestrian accident. They will generate an accident report that can be valuable evidence when filing an insurance claim or lawsuit.
- Gather evidence: Collect names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance details for drivers and witnesses involved in the accident. You can also take photos of the scene and your injuries.
- Avoid admitting fault: Be cautious about what you say following a pedestrian accident. Even a simple apology can be misconstrued as an admission of guilt.
- Document everything: Keep a detailed account of your injuries and medical treatments. Save all receipts for medical care, lost wages, property damage, and other damages.
- Contact a Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer: Consult with a lawyer specializing in Columbia pedestrian accidents. They can help you protect your rights and fight for compensation.
- Follow through with treatment: Adhere to any treatment plan prescribed by a doctor if you are injured. This shows your commitment to recovery and can affect the outcome of compensation you may be owed.
The aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming, but taking these steps can protect your health and rights. A Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer can be a valuable ally if you pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit. Schedule a free consultation today.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Pedestrian Accident in Missouri?
Missouri’s statute of limitations affects how long you have to file a lawsuit for damages in a pedestrian accident. In Missouri, you generally have five years from the accident date to file a lawsuit for damage. However, exceptions, such as if the pedestrian was a minor when the accident occurred, may apply.
Be sure to speak with a Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer after any accident. Waiting too long can make it harder to collect evidence in your case and prove negligence. It can also cause you to lose your right to file a lawsuit.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Columbia Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer?
Pedestrian accidents are associated with serious injuries, lost wages, and other damages. This makes the cost of retaining a Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer a major concern.
Fortunately, the Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers team operates on a contingency fee. This arrangement means you do not pay any upfront or hourly fees when you hire our pedestrian accident team. Instead, we earn a percentage of the final settlement or court award for you, but only if we win or settle your case. This makes working with a Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer risk-free financially.
If you or a loved one has been struck in a pedestrian accident in Columbia, MO, the path to justice and recovery can feel daunting. At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced Columbia pedestrian accident lawyers will help you navigate every step of the legal process. From free case evaluation to settlement or trial, we will fight for compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial damages. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your accident and options moving forward.
