When any vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the likelihood of the pedestrian suffering severe or even deadly injuries is very high. Pedestrians who are hit by a vehicle because the driver failed to follow traffic laws or was otherwise negligent may have the right to file a personal injury claim with a pedestrian injury lawyer.
A skilled Bellevue pedestrian accident lawyer at Berry Law can explain the legal process for personal injury claims and how to recover compensation for the financial losses associated with a collision.
Bellevue Pedestrian Accident Guide
- Why Injured Pedestrians Should Work With a Bellevue Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Berry Law
- Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Bellevue
- Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Pedestrian Accident
- What are a Pedestrian’s Rights and Responsibilities in Bellevue, NE?
- Common Injuries Suffered in Bellevue Pedestrian Accidents
- What Compensation Can Our Bellevue Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Obtain for Injured Pedestrians in Our Area?
- What is the Deadline to File a Pedestrian Accident Injury Lawsuit?
- Contact the Bellevue Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Berry Law to Learn More
Why Injured Pedestrians Should Work With a Bellevue Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Berry Law
Pedestrians have little or no protection during a collision with a motor vehicle. As a result, they can suffer extensive injuries or even death, while the negligent driver may walk away unscathed and free of liability. We won’t let that happen.
Berry Law was founded in 1965, and our mission has never changed over the years. Based on our warrior ethos, we are dedicated to defending individuals’ rights and protecting our injured clients’ futures.
With 240 collective years of experience, the personal injury team at Berry Law has the skills and resources to challenge big insurance companies, corporations, and other negligent parties that injure innocent people. Our experienced team of legal professionals offers the representation needed to pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit and receive the maximum possible compensation from the at-fault party.
We offer free consultations and case reviews where we can answer questions and explain how to bring a pedestrian injury claim. One of our Bellevue personal injury attorneys will review the facts of the accident to determine the best course of action in each case.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Bellevue
While accidents involving pedestrians can happen under many circumstances, some of the most common causes of vehicle and pedestrian accidents include:
- Texting or using the phone while driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Failing to yield at a crosswalk
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions making them unable to stop in time to avoid the crash
- Entering or turning in an intersection when unsafe
- Ignoring a stop light or stop sign
The pedestrian injury lawyers at Berry Law have the skills and resources to determine exactly what happened and how the driver may be held accountable for the pedestrian’s injuries and related financial losses.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bellevue Pedestrian Accident
Many people may be involved in a vehicle-pedestrian crash. Our legal team can investigate the circumstances to determine who may be held responsible for crash-related injuries and financial expenses, including:
- Negligent drivers, such as commercial truck drivers, motorcyclists, delivery drivers, and more
- Vehicle makers or automotive parts manufacturers that produce and sell defective auto parts
- Government entities responsible for maintaining roads and/or traffic control signals
- A commercial driver’s employer
Since multiple responsible parties may be involved, Berry Law will work hard to determine all potentially liable parties to ensure the maximum compensation recovery possible.
What are a Pedestrian’s Rights and Responsibilities in Bellevue, NE?
Nebraska Pedestrian Rights
With only a few exceptions, when a pedestrian is crossing a street within a designated crosswalk, all motor vehicle drivers must yield the right of way and stop their vehicles to avoid hitting the pedestrian. Also, Nebraska law does not allow a driver to pass another vehicle that is stopped to allow a pedestrian crossing.
Finally, when a pedestrian uses a crosswalk controlled by a traffic signal if the signal indicates it is safe to cross, the pedestrian has the right of way before any vehicle in the area. If a driver violates these laws, these negligent acts can make them liable for the injuries and damages suffered by a pedestrian injured in a crash.
Nebraska Pedestrian Responsibilities
Of course, pedestrians also have to follow certain rules. For example, Section 60-6, 154 of Nebraska’s Revised Statutes specifies if the person on foot is not crossing the street at a designated crosswalk, they must yield the right of way to vehicles legally on the road. Also, the pedestrian must stay within the designated walking space when using a crosswalk at an intersection with working traffic lights.
Berry Law’s Team Provides You With Multiple Attorney Perspectives
Drivers Must Follow the Rules of the Road
At the same time, all motorists on Nebraska roads must follow the state’s road rules under the circumstances involved during the accident. For instance, if a driver is texting or driving while intoxicated and strikes a pedestrian using a crosswalk, they can be liable for the pedestrian’s injuries and related financial losses.
Common Injuries Suffered in Bellevue Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents in Bellevue often result in catastrophic injuries that could permanently affect the injured person’s quality of life. Some of the most common injuries our Bellevue pedestrian accident attorneys help clients recover for include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions
- Head, neck, and spinal injuries that could lead to paralysis
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Deep lacerations and road rash
- Soft tissue injuries involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other tissues
- Internal organ damage
- Facial and dental injuries that could involve vision loss or permanent disfigurement
- Death
When someone is killed as a result of a pedestrian versus car crash, the surviving family members, through a legal representative of the deceased person’s estate, may have the right to bring a wrongful death claim against the responsible driver. Reach out to the Bellevue wrongful death lawyers at Berry Law to learn more.
What Compensation Can Our Bellevue Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Obtain for Injured Pedestrians in Our Area?
Many challenges could arise in a Bellevue pedestrian accident case that might impact the compensation available. For instance, a skilled Bellevue car accident lawyer may need to challenge a negligent motorist’s insurance provider that denies coverage, attempts to minimize damages, or shifts blame to the pedestrian.
The diligent Bellevue injury attorneys at Berry Law can work to prevent potential deflection tactics used by insurance companies and ensure pedestrians receive the compensation they deserve by holding the responsible party liable for their mistakes.
Since pedestrian collisions can involve extreme and traumatic injuries, our compassionate legal team will ensure all financial losses are accounted for and included in any insurance company demand or civil lawsuit filed on behalf of our clients. After a pedestrian accident, we understand that a personal injury claim could include compensation for many types of losses, and we will pursue every possible legal damage available.
A typical pedestrian injury settlement claim may include several types of damages, including:
- Past and future lost wages, benefits, income-earning potential, and other employment-related financial losses
- Compensation for medical expenses such as ambulance services, ER treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, therapy, X-rays and other diagnostic testing, medications, and more
- The cost of medical appliances, including crutches, wheelchairs, ramps, alterations to vehicles, or living arrangements needed to accommodate medical concerns
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
- Mental anguish and PTSD
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Loss of family relationships
During a free meeting with the knowledgeable pedestrian injury attorneys at Berry Law, we will listen to the unique accident circumstances and explain which legal damages may be included in an insurance claim or lawsuit.
What is the Deadline to File a Pedestrian Accident Injury Lawsuit?
Every state in the nation has created a Statute of Limitations that controls how long an injured person has to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. In Nebraska, injured plaintiffs often have four years to file a civil complaint against negligent parties to request financial compensation. However, this deadline may be as short as one year in certain circumstances.
Or, if someone was killed in a pedestrian accident, the representative of the deceased person’s estate typically only has two years to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against any negligent parties to seek compensation for the surviving family members.
Although this might sound like a long window of opportunity, it’s best to contact a skilled lawyer immediately after a collision. Waiting to file a claim could jeopardize the ability to collect evidence and pursue full compensation for accident-related damages. Plus, a skilled injury attorney needs time to conduct an investigation, prepare and present an injury insurance claim, negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurer, and possibly file a lawsuit before the deadline expires.
Contact the Bellevue Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Berry Law to Learn More
After a pedestrian accident with a motor vehicle, the injuries and expenses can be life-altering. To learn more about bringing a personal injury claim or lawsuit, contact the compassionate and tenacious Bellevue pedestrian accident lawyers at Berry Law.
Our team of warriors is prepared to fight for injured people’s rights when someone else has harmed them or negligently created a situation that led to serious injuries. Don’t wait any longer. Call us at 402-466-8444 or complete our online contact form today.
