Compensation for a Pedestrian Hit by a Car

While most car accidents will involve drivers and passengers surrounded by steel, airbags, seatbelts and other measures of protection, pedestrians hit by a car are not so fortunate. Often, pedestrians involved in a car accident will suffer serious, long-term injury for which the law affords them the right to obtain compensation.

What Compensation is Available?

Medical Costs

All medical bills, treatment expenses, therapy and any other medical expenses are to be paid for by the negligent party.

Lost Income

After a serious injury, it may be weeks or months before the injured person can return to work. During this time, they are often without the income needed for daily living. Personal injury tort law allows victims to recover 1005 of this loss. In addition, cases of long-term or permanent injury can also result in claimants obtaining money for future lost earnings.

Pain and Suffering

In most serious personal injury cases, the largest amount of money will be paid to the victim for his or her "pain and suffering". This is money paid to cover the impact an injury has on the injured parties daily life. Often, injured persons will have to deal with ongoing pain for many months or years, and this can have a profound effect on their ability to enjoy their previous lifestyle.

On average, the amount of money paid for pain and suffering will be somewhere between 1.5 time to 10 times the cost of all other damages. Needless to say, this can usually add up to significant monetary awards paid to the injured claimant.

Always Get Legal Advice

It is imperative for anyone injured in a car accident, or other type of injury case, to consult with a personal injury lawyer before accepting a settlement, or signing a release of liability. Often, a competent attorney will be able to get an injured person many time more compensation for an accident than they would be able to get on their own.

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