Salt Lake City Pedestrian Accident Attorney

When a pedestrian gets injured in an accident, the damages are often quite serious. This is because, unlike drivers in a car, pedestrians typically have little to no protection in an accident. The road to recovery can be long and costly. That is why it is critical to attain experienced legal representation to help ensure you recover fair compensation for your damages.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Salt Lake City, reach out to a pedestrian accident lawyer at 1Law to get the assistance you need to get back on your feet. We have helped countless accident victims recover damages from the liable party or their insurers. Get in touch with us today to get started.

What Actions Will a Salt Lake City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Take?

When you hire a pedestrian accident attorney in Salt Lake City, one of the first things they will do will be to launch an investigation into your accident. One of the main objectives of this investigation will be to determine who is liable for your damages. Additionally, the investigation will aim to gather evidence to support your compensation claim.

In the course of their investigation, your lawyer will likely:

• Visit the scene of the accident
• Interview potential witnesses
• Speak with experts
• Review the police report of the accident
• Go through your medical history

The next step will be to assess your damages and calculate the full value of your accident claim. Once this is done, your attorney will file the documents for your case with the appropriate party. If you are making an insurance claim, they will file the claim paperwork with the insurance company. If you are pursuing a lawsuit, they will file the lawsuit with the court.

If you choose to pursue a lawsuit, your attorney will begin the pre-trial process. Once that process is complete, your lawyer will represent you in court. However, if possible, your lawyer will work to settle your case before it ever goes to trial. They will be in continuous negotiations with the legal representation from the other side, attempting to negotiate a fair settlement deal.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

When you get hurt in an accident, the last thing you need to worry about is trying to figure out how to put together a legal case so that you can recover the compensation you deserve. Fortunately, anyone can afford to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer to handle the legal side of things for them.

Pedestrian accident lawyers operate differently from many other types of attorneys. Instead of charging you for every minute they spend working on your case, pedestrian accident lawyers receive their fee as a predetermined percentage of the compensation payout they secure for you. If they fail to get you money, you don’t owe them a single cent.

This type of payment is known as a contingency fee because the lawyer’s pay is contingent upon securing a favorable outcome for their client. With this system, you can feel confident that your lawyer will work hard to ensure you get paid. You can also rest assured that they will work to get you as much money as possible since the more you receive, the bigger their payday.

Damages You Can Recover After a Pedestrian Accident

There are a wide variety of damages you may be eligible to recover after a pedestrian accident. Which damages apply will depend on the specifics of your case. Compensatory damages are divided between economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are straightforward. These are the losses you suffer after an accident that have a direct financial impact. These damages include things like:

• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Future medical costs

Ideally, the amount you receive for economic damages should directly cancel out all of the financial costs of your accident. While determining future medical costs and diminished earning capacity can be difficult, there are algorithms that can help to calculate a fairly accurate estimate.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are much more complex. These are the damages that directly impact your life beyond your bank account. Common non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Lowered quality of life
• Mental anguish
• Loss of companionship
• Permanent disability

Non-economic damages can not easily be quantified. No amount of money can replace a lost loved one or undo a permanent disability. Because of this, non-economic damages tend to make up the largest portion of a compensation payout for a pedestrian accident.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are the third type of damages. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are not compensatory. Instead of repaying an accident victim for the losses they have suffered, punitive damages are meant to punish the party responsible for the accident.

Punitive damages are only awarded in certain cases where the actions of the at-fault party are determined to have been grossly negligent or performed with wanton disregard for the safety of the public.

How Much Time do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Salt Lake City?

In the majority of pedestrian accident cases in Utah, accident victims have four years to file a lawsuit against the liable party. However, you should keep in mind that special circumstances can affect how much time you have to file. For example, when the responsible party in your case was a government agency, you will have far less time to file.

The best way to ensure that you meet all the deadlines for your case is to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer shortly after you get injured. In addition to helping you avoid missing a deadline, a pedestrian accident attorney will be in the best position to build a strong case if they are able to get started early.

An early start will enable your attorney to gather any evidence before it can become lost and record witness testimony before it begins to fade from memory.

Find a Salt Lake City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

It is essential to choose an experienced attorney with a history of securing positive results for their clients. At the 1Law Salt Lake City office, we have helped countless accident victims get their lives back after a pedestrian accident.

Give us a call, fill out our online contact form, or use our chat tool to get started. We offer free, no-obligation consultations to accident victims. Reach out to us today to get started.