Walking, running or jogging is a popular exercise activity in Texas. Joggers and walkers can be seen on the side of the road and running paths on any given day. It only takes one negligent driver to cause an accident that leaves them seriously injured. People who are out jogging or walking have no protection when they are hit by a car or truck. As a result, they can suffer severe injuries. These include broken bones, head and neck injuries, back and spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injury. Recovery can take months or even years. In some cases, joggers and walkers are left with a permanent disability and require lifelong care. This type of pedestrian accident can also have a serious financial impact. Medical expenses for surgery, hospitalization, medication, therapy and other treatment can add up quickly and become overwhelming. Accident victims often can’t return to work because of their injury, which means there is less income coming in. If you or a loved one were injured by a vehicle while walking or jogging you need to contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney to help you maximize your compensation.
An Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help
If you were injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, you deserve financial compensation. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to your injuries, lost wages while you could not work, and possibly other damages, such as disability and pain and suffering.
Joggers and walkers are injured in accidents when drivers are negligent. The driver may have been texting while driving and was not paying attention to the road. The driver may have been speeding or driving recklessly, and lost control. Or the driver may have been fatigued and nodded off at the wheel. Negligent drivers typically deny doing anything wrong.
Insurance companies are supposed to help victims after an accident, but they are mostly concerned with protecting their bottom line. In order to keep their profits high, they try to keep their payouts low. They have lawyers looking out for their best interests, helping them find ways to minimize your compensation.
That is why you need an experienced lawyer who knows how to deal with insurance companies and hold negligent drivers accountable. They will know the tactics that insurance companies use to try to avoid their responsibility to injured victims. A good pedestrian attorney will fight back to help victims get the compensation they deserve.
What Are Some Things That You Can Do to Reduce the Chance of Injury While Walking or Jogging?
While we know you can’t prevent every accident, you can reduce your chances of getting hurt. Here are some tips:
- Wear Proper Clothing – This means clothing that helps make you more visible to drivers, keeps you cool and cuts down your risk of suffering heat injuries, and helps prevent tripping while you run. Well-fitting shoes are a must.
- Tell People Where You are Going and When You’ll Be Back – This way, your friends or family can find you if you are hurt, and they’ll know to call 911 if they can’t reach you by phone.
- Carry a Cell Phone – As bulky and cumbersome as it might feel while you jog, it can come in handy if you are injured and need assistance. Carry it in a runner’s waist pack or use a watch phone.
- Plan your Route – This means choosing routes that keep you away from busy traffic as much as possible. Know where you’ll have to cross roads and come in contact with cars, and plan to take your time at these points. Use crosswalks, look for cars, wait for them to stop across all lanes, and make eye contact so you’re sure they see you.
Insurance Companies Are Difficult to Deal With
Insurers routinely try to blame pedestrians for causing their own injuries by failing to exercise reasonable care to avoid injury. The defense of comparative negligence frequently will be based on the claim that the pedestrian darted into traffic so close to the motorist that he or she had no time to stop. Under the doctrine of comparative negligence, the pedestrian’s recovery will be reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault assigned to the plaintiff.
Insurance companies are well aware of the hardships seriously injured pedestrians endure as medical and rehabilitative expenses spiral, and the amount of household income is reduced. The insurance company increases its profits by delaying payment of settlements as long as possible so that the funds can remain invested and earn a financial return. By contrast, the injury victim often feels increasing pressure to settle for less than the full value of the claim as the case lingers on without a recovery.
It is important to have an aggressive and experienced pedestrian accident attorney who can help you deal with the deceptive tricks from the insurance companies.
Call our law offices today at any of our convenient locations and get a free consultation.
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