Walking through Fox Point, College Hill, or Federal Hill is a great alternative to driving or using public transit. As a pedestrian, though, you run a greater risk of serious injury if you’re involved in a traffic accident with a vehicle. Have you been hurt in a pedestrian accident? A Providence pedestrian accident lawyer from Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. can help you seek compensation to cover your medical bills and other losses.
You have rights, and our lawyers can provide sound advice to help you make the right decisions. We fight for pedestrians injured by negligent drivers and work to hold the at-fault party accountable for the damage they caused. You can learn more by calling our offices at (401) 751-8855 for a free consultation.
Common Injuries Suffered in Providence Pedestrian Accidents
If you’ve suffered one of these life-threatening injuries in a pedestrian accident due to someone else’s wrongdoing, you have the right to demand full compensation for your medical care:
- Broken bones, including compound fractures that could require surgery
- Spinal cord damage, which may lead to partial or total paralysis
- Damage to the vertebrae, like a painful herniated disc, which may require surgery to repair
- Serious facial damage, like a broken nose, jaw, or orbital bones
- A concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Moderate to severe TBIs can leave lasting brain damage or even trigger the onset of dementia.
- Road rash, which is the painful scraping away of the upper layers of the dermis. This is an infection-prone condition that may require multiple skin grafts to heal.
- Crushing injuries that may lead to involuntary amputation
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding. You may have part or all of an organ removed.
These are just the physical injuries pedestrians suffer. Many people experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being struck by a car. You could suffer situational anxiety or experience depression due to your changed physical condition.
The emotional and psychological damage from a pedestrian accident is just as serious as physical injuries can be. You deserve to seek fair compensation for all the harm the negligent driver caused.
How a Providence Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help You with Your Case
An attorney well-versed in Rhode Island car accident injury laws can develop a solid case for compensation on your behalf. Your attorney can:
- Gather evidence. Evidence includes eyewitness accounts, photos of the accident, and your injuries. Your medical records are valuable evidence linking your injury to the accident. A police report can also contain important facts for your lawyer to use in court. They can also subpoena the driver’s driving records or a toxicology screen (if the driver was drunk).
- File all legal paperwork. Any mistake in filing or missed deadline can jeopardize your case. Your lawyer can file the right motions to move your case along.
- Negotiate a settlement. Most pedestrian accident cases are settled out of court. Our lawyers are skilled negotiators. We’ll tenaciously argue for the highest possible settlement.
- Advocate for you in court. If we cannot get the other party to settle, we will argue your case in a Rhode Island civil court. We’ll examine witnesses and present our evidence. We can also counter allegations made by the defendant.
- Provide legal advice. Any decision to be made in your case is ultimately up to you. We’ll provide legal options and advice so you can make informed choices.
- Protect your interests. We can talk to the other party, their lawyer, and their insurance company, so you don’t have to. Insurance companies love to twist the victim’s words to make it seem like the accident was their fault. You don’t have to talk to them. Just refer any communications to our offices.
Rhode Island Laws Related to Pedestrian Accident Cases
We put our vast knowledge of Rhode Island pedestrian laws to work for you. The state’s statutes for pedestrian rights and personal injury cases can impact the outcome of your case. Here are some things you should be aware of:
Negligence
Rhode Island is a comparative negligence state. This means that if your behavior contributed to causing the accident, your share of fault will reduce the compensable losses you may recover. For example, if a judge determines you were 25 percent to blame for the crash, your award will be reduced by 25 percent. This rule is binding on the courts, but insurers are aware of it and will also abide by it.
Right of way
Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. However, pedestrians must check for oncoming traffic before entering the crosswalk. Furthermore, pedestrians must follow all traffic laws and signage at guided intersections. This means yielding to a red light or “don’t walk” sign and only crossing when the sign or light permits.
Pedestrians should yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic and use caution when crossing streets. They must also use sidewalks where available.
Compensation in Providence Pedestrian Accident Cases
Injured pedestrians may sue for both economic and non-economic compensation.
Economic compensation can cover losses that have specific value, such as:
- All medical care, including an ambulance ride, hospital stay, surgery, and prescription medications
- Any rehabilitative treatment like physical or occupational therapy or chiropractic treatments
- Prosthetics and therapy to learn to use the prosthetic
- Lost wages from time missed at work
- Loss of earning potential if your disability prevents you from continuing in gainful employment
- Property damage
Non-economic compensation covers your intangible losses. These losses may not be material but still have value. Your non-economic compensation can cover:
- Pain and suffering from your injuries
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium or damaged relationships
- Disability or loss of physical abilities
What to Expect During Your Case
Each situation is different, but you can expect your timeline to look much like this:
- Hire a lawyer.
- Your lawyer can investigate the case, gather evidence, and identify the at-fault driver.
- Your lawyer may send a demand letter asking for a fair settlement.
- Your lawyer will enter into settlement negotiations with the insurance company or at-fault driver.
- Your case will go to trial if negotiations are unsuccessful.
What to Do After the Accident
What you say and do in the weeks after your pedestrian accident case can have a serious impact on the outcome of your case. These tips are not intended to replace your lawyer’s advice but can help you protect the integrity of your claim.
Dos and Don’ts
DO save all medical records. Your medical records link your injuries to the accident and demonstrate the extent of your injuries.
DON’T ignore your doctor’s advice. Your recovery could be impacted if you neglect to complete aftercare or therapy. Additionally, the defendant could claim you aren’t injured as badly as you claim.
DO keep a pain journal. Log how the injuries impact your life and note daily activities you can no longer enjoy. Note your daily pain levels, too, using a scale of 1-10.
DON’T post about the accident on social media. The defense may use your photos or posts as evidence that you’re “faking it.”
DO stay in contact with your lawyer. Follow their advice.
DON’T talk to the driver’s insurance company or lawyer. You’re not required to give them a statement even if they persist. Refer them to your attorney for any information they require.
Why Choose Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd.?
The legal team at Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. has decades of combined experience litigating even the most complex pedestrian and motor vehicle accident cases. We’ve recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, including a recent $4 million settlement in a pedestrian-truck accident. We recently secured a settlement worth over $1.3 million for a pedestrian struck by a driver going in reverse.
Contact Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. Today for a Free Consultation
Don’t delay – the faster you call [firm name] to talk to a Providence pedestrian accident lawyer, the better your chance of making a solid case for compensation. We offer a free consultation. You can book yours by calling (401) 751-8855. We’ll be by your side every step of the way.
FAQs
Our clients often have questions when they come to us with a pedestrian accident case. We’ve answered those we hear most often for you here.
What are the most frequent causes of pedestrian accidents?
Distracted driving is one of the primary causes of pedestrian-auto accidents. Driving under the influence is another major cause.
Walking through the downtown area can be dangerous for Providence pedestrians. Parking is limited, so drivers may be more focused on looking for a spot than looking for someone afoot. Be especially careful when crossing Memorial Boulevard at Francis Street or Empire Street at Washington Street. These are common sites for auto-pedestrian accidents.
How much do pedestrian accident lawyers cost?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we get money for you. We take care of the litigation costs up front and take an agreed-upon percentage of your award for our fees. Your lawyer will talk about specific costs in your initial free consultation.
How long do pedestrian accident cases take?
Expect the case to take several months from the initial consultation to conclusion. It will take less time to conclude if we can reach a settlement. If your case goes to trial, though, it could take more than a year to conclude.
