There is a very real risk of being hit as a pedestrian. According to the Nevada Department of Transportation, 2017 has been the deadliest year on record for pedestrians in Clark County. By mid-November, 62 pedestrians had been killed in accidents with motor vehicles in this year alone.
Previously, 60 was the highest number of deaths for pedestrians in the county in any given year. It is not always as easy as one may think to determine fault in a pedestrian-motor vehicle accident.
The responding officer will have to investigate the accident before completing the accident report. If you were hit as a pedestrian, you might be able to recover compensation through a personal injury claim against the other driver.
How Negligence Impacts A Pedestrian Crash in Nevada
Negligence causes motor vehicle accidents. When a driver is negligent, he or she is responsible for the damages that she or he had caused. Nevada uses contributory negligence, waich means that the liability for an accident is spread proportionately according to the negligence of the involved parties.
However, you cannot seek damages if your negligence is greater than the other driver's negligence. That means, as long as you are no more than the 50% to blame for the crash, you can file a personal injury claim and seek compensation for your damages.
Negligence that might lead to a pedestrian accident could include driving while distracted, speeding, running a stop sign, or driving while intoxicated, but there are numerous possibilities.
Damages That Might Result From Being Hit As A Pedestrian
As a pedestrian, you are unprotected. The impact from the vehicle and then hitting the pavement can be life-altering and lead to permanent disabilities. Your injuries might include spinal injuries, broken bones, cuts, abrasions, internal injuries, back and neck injuries, and even traumatic brain injuries.
According to the Department of Transportation, about 70% of all pedestrian-motor vehicle accidents lead to a fatality, so the injuries are very serious.
You can claim medical expenses, lost wages, future medical costs, future loss of earnings, pain and suffering, mental anguish, embarrassment, permanent scarring and disfigurement, permanent disabilities, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
You might also have personal property damages, such as to your clothing, your briefcase or purse, and eyeglasses. Your attorney will help you determine which damages you suffered in the accident.
Consult With A Nevada Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been hit as a pedestrian in Nevada, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. With the help of a lawyer, you might be able to recover compensation for your damages. Such an accident will be life-altering and can have a significant financial impact on your family, so you will need the compensation to cover medical expenses and basic living expenses while you are working on recovering from your injuries.
You will not have any upfront costs because your lawyer will not be paid until you get a judgment or settlement. You have nothing to lose, so schedule an initial case evaluation today. A statute of limitations applies, so if you wait too long you might miss out on your chance to recover compensation.
