Experienced Baton Rouge Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Fighting for Your Rights as an Injured Pedestrian
As a pedestrian in Louisiana, you are one of the most vulnerable and unprotected people on the roads. Louisiana is known for its Mardi Gras celebrations, outdoor food and music festivals, and tailgating at sporting events, but these types of events also put pedestrians at risk of negligent and reckless automobile drivers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,376 pedestrians were killed and another 70,000 injured in the United States in 2015. This means, on average, a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every seven minutes in traffic crashes. In fact, pedestrians who have been killed by an automobile in Louisiana account for 14% of all Louisiana traffic fatalities.
If you or a loved one have been a victim of a pedestrian car accident, you may benefit from the services of a dedicated attorney from the offices of Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. Call us at (225) 263-4787 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a Baton Rouge personal injury attorney.
Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Occur?
Most people would think that pedestrian accidents occur at intersections. But recent NHTSA data shows that 72% of pedestrian fatalities occurred at non-intersections while only 18% of fatalities occurred at intersections. The remaining 10% of pedestrian accidents occurred at roadsides/shoulders and other locations, such as parking lanes, bicycle lanes, and sidewalks. A pedestrian should always be cautious, day or night, when walking because an accident involving a motor vehicle can occur at many different locations and at any time. It is important to be vigilant and obey all traffic signs. But even when you obey all of the rules, you can still become a victim due to another party’s actions or negligence.
Who Causes Vehicle-Pedestrian Accidents?
A majority of vehicle-pedestrian accidents are caused by distracted drivers. A driver may become distracted while making a phone call, text messaging, adjusting the radio, eating, or focusing on the passengers inside the vehicle. It is also possible that a driver is not distracted but disregards a traffic sign and causes a vehicle-pedestrian accident. Lastly, driving under the influence of alcohol or a narcotic can also be a major cause of vehicle-pedestrian accidents. The negligence and/or recklessness of a driver operating an automobile is no excuse.
What Types of Injuries Can Occur in a Vehicle-Pedestrian Accident?
Motor vehicle accidents that involve a pedestrian usually result in severe injuries for the pedestrian. Most vehicles on the road weigh on average 5,000 pounds. The impact of a vehicle striking a pedestrian, even at a low speed, could be catastrophic. These injuries can include:
- Broken limbs
- Cuts, abrasions, and bruises
- Brain injury
- Spinal injury
- Herniated disks and other back injuries
- Internal injuries such as damage to the spleen, liver, kidney, or other internal organs
- Death
If you have sustained injuries or damages like these, contact a pedestrian car accident attorney from our firm as soon as possible.
How Can Pedestrian Accident Victims Receive Compensation for Their Injuries?
Similar to motor vehicle accidents, pedestrians may also have the right to recover for injuries that are the result of someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or inattention. The injured pedestrian may be able to recover the following types of damages from the wrongdoer with the aid of a car accident attorney:
- Medical costs
- Lost income (past and future)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other types of recoverable damages
In certain situations, an injured pedestrian may be able to recover punitive damages from the operator of the motor vehicle. Punitive damages are usually awarded to the victim of an accident for the purposes of punishing the wrongdoer. These types of damages are generally associated with drunk or impaired drivers who cause a pedestrian accident.
Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Consultation With a Pedestrian Car Accident Attorney at Mansfield Melancon Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian-car accident, the personal injury attorneys at Mansfield Melancon may be able to help. We are committed to guiding our clients through the legal process to help them find justice.
Our firm also has a strong track record of getting optimal results for our clients. Whether you are in need of a pedestrian car accident attorney, a wrongful death lawyer, or an attorney in other areas of personal injury law, our lawyers are prepared to fight for you.