Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrians are road users who are on foot, so people who are walking or running on the road or footpath.

There are many different injuries pedestrians sustain from these kinds of accidents. Here are the most common kinds.

If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian, you can claim compensation for any losses you’ve experienced as a result of that accident. Your pedestrian accident lawyer will help you navigate this, but here’s an idea of what you might be able to claim.

Lost wages

Both the income you’ve already missed out on and any future earnings lost due to your injuries. It’s about securing your livelihood.

Medical care

From the emergency room to follow-up appointments, surgeries, and any specialised treatments like physiotherapy or occupational therapy.

Rehabilitation costs

Recovery often requires additional support, be it physiotherapy to regain strength, chiropractic care for alignment, or even alternative therapies to help you heal.

Pain & suffering

This is compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve experienced.

Travel expenses

Getting to and from medical appointments adds up. You can claim these costs, to compensate you for the losses that come with seeking treatment.

Care and support

Whether it’s professional care or assistance from family and friends, you can claim compensation for care. This includes compensation for both paid services and voluntary support.

Home & lifestyle adjustments

Sometimes, injuries require changes to your living environment or additional services like cleaning and maintenance. These costs can be claimed as well.

The compensation pedestrians receive after an accident will vary widely based on the specifics of their case. This includes the severity of their injuries, the impact on their quality of life, lost wages, and medical expenses incurred. While some claims may result in settlements of a few thousand dollars for minor injuries, more severe cases, like those involving long-term disability or significant lifestyle changes, can see compensation amounts increase into the hundreds of thousands or even millions.

An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer will be able to offer you a more precise estimate based on the details of your situation, to help you aim for a settlement that fully addresses the scope of your losses and suffering.

Due to strict deadlines, it’s important to act quickly with your pedestrian accident compensation claim. You have three years from the accident date to file your claim, but you should inform the at-fault party of your intent much earlier—within nine months of the accident or one month after getting legal advice. Sticking to these deadlines is important to keep your claim on track, and starting early can help ensure a smoother process.

The process of claiming your pedestrian accident compensation will vary from claim to claim. At vbr Lawyers, we’re dedicated to making your pedestrian accident claim simple.

Talk with a lawyer

The first step will be a conversation with one of our pedestrian accident lawyers. This will typically take about 30 minutes, but you can take all the time you need. It’s our goal in these chats to work out exactly what’s happened and what steps you’ve taken.

Get a letter of advice

Within a few days of that conversation, you’ll receive a letter of advice. Your lawyer will write our recommendations for you and your claim in a way that is really easy to understand. In case you haven’t already, we always recommend seeking medical advice as a first step.

Start the process

As soon as you’re ready, we’ll start the claim process. It’ll look a little different for everyone, but it always begins with us notifying the at-fault party, along with any other relevant parties. These might be a CTP insurer or WorkCover where relevant.

Accident details

Document everything about the accident as soon as you can. This includes the date, time, location, weather conditions, and any other relevant environmental factors. If possible, write down a detailed account of what happened before, during, and after the accident.

All vehicle information

Collect details of any vehicles involved, including their make, model, colour, licence plate number, and any visible damage. If commercial vehicles are involved, note the company name and any identifying details.

Police report

A police report is an important piece of evidence that provides an official account of the accident. If you can, get a copy of this report, as it can support your claim significantly.

Any medical records or receipts

Keep a detailed record of all medical treatments related to your accident, including visits to the emergency room, doctor appointments, medications, and any other related expenses. These records prove the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.

All insurance correspondence

Maintain copies of all communications with insurance companies, including emails, letters, and notes from phone conversations. This documentation will be important for negotiating your claim.

Any documentation of damage

If you had personal property that was damaged during the accident, such as clothing, accessories, or devices, keep a record of these damages. Photos and repair or replacement quotes can serve as proof.

Proof of lost income

If your injuries have caused you to miss work, gather documentation from your employer detailing your regular earnings and the amount of work missed. This evidence supports claims for lost wages.

Proof of relevant expenses

Compile receipts and records of all expenses related to your accident, including, but not limited to, travel expenses for medical appointments, rehabilitation costs, and any modifications needed for your home or vehicle due to your injuries.