Now that warmer weather is here to stay, everyone is eager to get outside. Many people enjoy going out for a walk, whether it is for exercise, recreation, or as a method of transportation. Unfortunately, as pedestrian traffic increases, the risk for automobile-pedestrian collisions also increases. The number of motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians has been increasing for a few years now, and distracted driving appears to be a major reason for the increase.
When a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the driver of the vehicle is likely to be found to have been at fault for the accident. There are a few ways in which pedestrian accidents often happen. Sometimes, a driver makes a turn as a pedestrian is crossing the street in a crosswalk. At other times, a driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol may collide with a pedestrian who they do not see because of their condition. Drivers who run red lights or stop signs also run the risk of striking a pedestrian who is crossing the road at the intersection. Vehicles entering the roadway from driveways sometimes do not notice pedestrians who are approaching, and pedestrian accidents happen this way, as well.
When an automobile strikes a pedestrian, it is highly likely that death or serious injury will occur. When a person has been seriously injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, there are a few types of legal actions which may be filed against the driver by various parties. For example, the State can file criminal charges against the driver if he or she was violating any laws at the time of the accident.
Another type of action that may be filed against the driver of an automobile who has struck a pedestrian is a claim for injuries and damages. These claims are the type of claims that are normally filed by the victims of automobile accidents against the driver’s insurance company (for the purpose of obtaining financial recovery for the injuries and damages they have sustained).
If a person dies in a pedestrian accident, there are two types of actions which may be pursued by the family of the deceased against the driver. A survival action is designed to allow the family of the deceased to recover the damages that the deceased could have recovered, had they survived the accident. A wrongful death action is designed to provide the deceased’s family with compensation for their loss when that loss was caused by someone else’s negligence. In automobile-pedestrian collisions, the negligent party is usually the driver of the vehicle. The family of the deceased can recover several types of damages through a wrongful death action, including lost wages, unpaid medical bills, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and loss of support.
Barrett Law PLLC: Helping Pedestrian Victims of Mississippi Automobile Accidents
When an automobile strikes a pedestrian, serious injury or death are the most likely outcomes. If you are a pedestrian who has been injured in an automobile accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a motor vehicle-pedestrian accident, the Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help you. We will work hard to obtain the results that you and your family need. Call the Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free, initial consultation.