Despite the presence of crosswalks and traffic signals, pedestrians are still at risk when out and about. Distracted, speeding, or impaired drivers can leave pedestrians with severe or fatal injuries after a collision. Even low-speed accidents, such as those occurring when drivers back out of parking spaces or driveways, can have devastating outcomes.
A Cottonwood Heights personal injury lawyer from Siegfried & Jensen can help you get compensated for your losses. We have been standing up for victims since 1990 and have a long history of success. Connect with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Cottonwood Heights. We are ready to lead your fight for justice.
How Pure Comparative Fault Affects Your Claim
A state’s negligence laws determine the path forward for victims of injury-causing accidents. Under the system of modified comparative negligence in Utah, victims can seek damages if they are less than 50% responsible for the accident. If they are under this threshold, their compensation is reduced by the percentage of blame they bear.
If you are injured in a pedestrian accident, you can pursue compensation from the negligent driver or other parties who contributed to the crash. Those parties will try to pin blame on you to reduce their payout. For example, if they can put 20% of the blame on you, they only have to pay 80% of your total damages.
Convincing evidence supports your claim and can protect you from assignments of fault. If it’s possible to do so without hurting yourself, collect evidence at the accident scene. Take photos or video of the site, noting traffic signals and patterns, your injuries, and the vehicles involved. Get contact details from witnesses and call law enforcement to the scene so they can create an official report.
Safety Takes Priority
Unfortunately, pedestrian-accident victims can sustain very serious injuries. You may have no choice but to stay still until emergency services arrive. This is especially important if you’ve experienced a head, back, or neck injury. If you can move safely and can leave the accident on your own power, you still need to get medical attention right away.
Some injuries worsen without immediate care. Sometimes, the adrenaline rush following an accident hides pain and other symptoms. The other side can use delays in care to undermine your claim. They may argue your choice to postpone care caused your worsened condition. They could question the severity of injuries that didn’t demand prompt attention.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Cottonwood Heights, call (801) 266-0999
A Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Cottonwood Heights Can Fight to Maximize Damages
The damages you can sue for after an accident are classified as “economic” and “non-economic.” Economic damages compensate you for the financial losses associated with the accident. They typically include medical costs, lost wages, property damage if applicable, and any other related expenses.
Non-economic damages recognize the value of your physical pain, emotional trauma, and reduced enjoyment of life. The other side may try to downplay your losses to save money. The team at Siegfried & Jensen can challenge those attempts. We will calculate the full extent of your losses, not missing any details, and compile evidence to support the demanded amount.
Cottonwood Heights Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
Process for Collecting Damages After a Pedestrian Accident
The strength of your evidence is a major factor in your claim outcome. By connecting with a pedestrian accident attorney in Cottonwood Heights quickly, you increase the opportunity for gathering critical evidence. We can contact witnesses while they still remember details of the accident. We can access traffic or security camera footage before it’s erased or lost. Physical evidence can also go missing as time passes.
After investigating the accident and valuing your losses, we will send a compensation demand to the at-fault party’s representatives. The usual response is a lower offer. The sides continue presenting evidence and trading offers until reaching an agreement, called a settlement. Many claims resolve this way, without ever going to trial.
Still, a trial may be necessary if the other side refuses to negotiate productively or make you a fair offer. Our team doesn’t encourage clients to settle for less just to avoid a trial. We fight for justice, whatever it takes. If negotiations stall, we will present you with your options, helping you determine which path serves you best.
Preserving Your Right to Fight at Trial
You can only exercise your right to fight for justice in court if you file your accident claim by the legal deadline. Per Utah Code § 78B-2-307, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is four years.
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Getting Justice When Your Loved One Dies in a Pedestrian Accident
Surviving family members of victims killed in pedestrian accidents may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. When someone dies from the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person, the decedent’s personal representative can file for damages on behalf of beneficiaries.
Compensation can cover end-of-life expenses, related medical costs, loss of household services, and the decedent’s lost future earnings. It also provides financial acknowledgment of the surviving family’s grief, mental anguish, and loss of companionship.
The wrongful death statute of limitations in Utah is two years in most cases. Don’t ever assume you are too late to file without talking to our attorneys. Some situations allow for deadline extensions, and if yours does, we’ll fight to have it granted.
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Don’t Settle for Less
Never settle for less when fighting for justice. Get the exceptional representation Siegfried & Jensen offers, so you can get the compensation you deserve. We offer free case reviews. Connect with us to schedule yours. A Cottonwood Heights pedestrian accident lawyer is ready to fight for you.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form