What Types of Compensation Are Available After a Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrian accidents can occur without warning, resulting in significant disruptions to one’s lifestyle. Unlike drivers, pedestrians are not protected by vehicles, which can result in serious physical injuries if they are hit. Furthermore, other costs, including loss of earnings, accumulate as victims undergo emotional strain to regain their lives.
In Las Vegas, where many pedestrians are on the move, victims often seek the services of a Las Vegas pedestrian accident attorney to help them recover possible damages. Attorneys also ensure that damages are appropriately documented. Therefore, legal advice may be required in situations where insurance companies try to limit the payouts.
Medical Expenses and Ongoing Care
Medical compensation can be the root of a pedestrian accident claim. This would involve emergency care, inpatient care, surgeries, medications, and follow-up visits. Therapy, rehabilitation, and equipment may also be included in the suit.
Injuries to pedestrians can sometimes require future treatment. Also, compensation does not end with the amount already paid. In fact, pedestrian injuries often require treatment or involve future restrictions.
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
In many cases, the victims of the accident will experience difficulties at work and may not be able to return to work until the healing process is complete. Compensation for lost wages during the healing process is included in the claim. These may include the days, weeks, or even months where the victim lost pay.
Injuries can also limit an individual’s ability to generate money in the future. Loss of the ability to earn a living addresses cases in which a victim cannot return to their previous employment, has reduced work hours, or is relegated to lower-paying jobs. This loss is determined through assessment of age, work history, and the future impact of the injury.
Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Harm
All loss is not financial in nature. Pain and suffering damages address the physical agony and mental anguish suffered as a consequence of the accident. These often manifest as chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and diminished quality of life following a pedestrian accident.
Wrongful Death Damages for Families
If the pedestrian accident results in a fatality, then the family can claim compensation for wrongful death. The compensation awarded may include funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
Claims for wrongful death also acknowledge the emotional and relational effects of the death of a loved one. Although monetary damages can never bring back a life, they go a long way towards helping the family cope with the aftermath of the death.
The Role of Fault and Evidence
Nevada has a modified comparative negligence standard. If the pedestrian is partly at fault for the accident, the compensation awarded may be reduced. Medical records, accident reports, and testimonies are the primary factors in the outcome.
Key Takeaways
A pedestrian accident can cause bruising, but it can also ruin your life. Here are the things you need to know:
- Healthcare expenses go far beyond the ER
- Lost wages encompass current earnings and future earning capacity
- Physical suffering and mental trauma can be identified as actual damages suffered
- Families can seek justice in the event of fatal accidents
- Your degree of fault will have a direct impact on the amount that you can recover
Know your rights, keep records of everything, and accept nothing less than what you deserve in your recovery.
