People walking down the sidewalk or across the street rely on motorists to pay attention and obey the rules of the road. Pedestrians are put at risk when drivers fail to live up to their responsibilities. At Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C., we understand that pedestrian accidents can change lives forever. That is why we are dedicated to helping the injured obtain full and fair compensation for their injuries.
Our Kentucky pedestrian accident lawyers provide powerful, intelligent representation for injured people across central and eastern Kentucky. For 40 years, we have handled personal injury claims, taking on negligent parties and large insurance companies. We combine our skilled representation with friendly, compassionate service, treating every client with respect and making ourselves available to answer questions throughout the course of the case.
The legal team at Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C., with offices in Louisville, Lexington, Hazard, and Pikeville, helps pedestrians injured by motorists and families of those who have lost loved ones in such circumstances. We understand the many variables in these cases, and we carefully consider them all, including such details as:
Stop signs, yield signs, and other warning signs
In the event a pedestrian loses their life at a crosswalk in Kentucky, there will need to be an extensive investigation into the incident to determine exactly what happened. Even though pedestrians generally have the right of way, that does not necessarily mean that the driver will be held completely responsible. There are times when a pedestrian could have contributed to the incident that led to the fatality.
The police will investigate a fatal accident, along with the insurance carrier and legal teams in most cases. This is particularly true for claims that lead to a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Liability will be determined by examining the totality of the evidence, including photos, video surveillance, eyewitness statements, accident reconstruction expert data, etc.
There may be various types of compensation available to pedestrian accident victims in Kentucky. This includes a range of economic and non-economic losses. Our attorneys will work diligently to recover total compensation for pedestrian accident clients, including the following:
There are a few steps that individuals need to take immediately after a pedestrian accident occurs. First and foremost, this includes assessing for injuries and seeking medical care. Individuals need to go to the doctor as soon as possible, even if they do not think they have sustained a severe injury. Sometimes, particularly for internal injuries or head injuries, the signs and symptoms may not show up right away. A doctor needs to conduct an evaluation immediately.
If the scene is relatively safe, or if there is someone else at the scene who can help, the evidence-gathering process can begin, and any evidence gathered right away could prove to be invaluable. This often means using a cell phone or another type of camera to take photos or video surveillance of the entire area.
Of particular importance is getting the names and contact information of any eyewitness written down as soon as possible. These individuals can be contacted later on for more comprehensive statements for the insurance carriers or a personal injury jury.
A pedestrian accident lawyer in Kentucky will play a multifaceted role when it comes to helping their client. First, they will use their resources to investigate the incident in order to gather the evidence needed to prove what happened. This evidence can be challenging to gather without assistance from an attorney, and the lawyer will often need to use the court system to do this.
While investigating what happened, an attorney will make sure that their client is evaluated by trusted medical and economic professionals. These professionals will help calculate total expected losses so that these figures can be presented to an insurance carrier or a personal injury jury if a trial becomes necessary.
Importantly, an attorney will handle all communication with other parties involved, including the insurance carriers, legal teams, and at-fault parties.
It is all too common for drivers to flee the scene after striking a pedestrian. This reckless behavior leaves victims injured and in some cases, fighting for their lives with no immediate help.
Obtaining compensation in hit-and-run accidents can be challenging. Without knowing the driver’s identity, making a claim with that driver’s insurance company is not possible. Police will investigate the incident and search for the driver, and our Kentucky pedestrian accident lawyers will monitor and help in any way we can.
If the driver cannot be located, do not give up. If you have underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage (UIM), our law firm can help you make a claim and get the compensation you deserve. If your insurer resists paying, we will fight to get you the benefits you need, the benefits you have paid for by dutifully paying your premiums.
If you or someone you love was injured in a pedestrian-vehicle collision in Kentucky, reach out to the law offices of Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C., for help. One of our Lexington injury lawyers will give you an honest assessment of your potential claim and be by your side throughout the process. For a free initial consultation, please call (800) 337-4002. You can also contact our law firm online.