5 Reasons You Should Hire An Auto Accident Lawyer If You Hit A Pedestrian
by Joyce Diaz
Auto accidents are unfortunately all too common, and they often have devastating consequences. One type of accident that can be particularly harrowing is when a pedestrian is hit by a car. If you find yourself in this situation, you may be wondering what to do next. Should you call the police? Should you exchange insurance information with the pedestrian? Should you hire a lawyer? The answer to that last question is a resounding yes. Here are five reasons why you should hire an auto accident lawyer immediately if you hit a pedestrian.
1. The Severity of the Injuries Sustained by the Pedestrian
Obviously, if the pedestrian is seriously injured, you're going to want an attorney who can help you navigate the complicated legal landscape and ensure that you're not on the hook for more than you should be.
The victim's compensation is directly related to the severity of the injuries, and an experienced lawyer will be able to analyze the accident, any medical bills that have been incurred, and any potential long-term consequences of the accident to give you an accurate assessment of what you could potentially owe.
2. The Potential for a Criminal Investigation
In some instances, law enforcement may launch a criminal investigation if they believe that the accident was caused by reckless or drunk driving. If that happens, you're going to want an attorney by your side who can protect your interests and ensure that you don't say anything that could be used against you in court.
3. The Possibility of a Civil Lawsuit
Even if criminal charges are never filed, the pedestrian has the right to file a civil lawsuit against you seeking damages. An experienced auto accident lawyer will know how to defend against such a suit and keep your financial liability to a minimum.
4. The Complexity of Your Insurance Coverage
If you have multiple drivers on your policy or if there are questions about who was driving the car at the time of the accident, things can get very complicated very quickly. Again, it's best to have an attorney by your side who can deal with the insurance companies and make sure that you're not taken advantage of.
5. Your Previous Driving Record
If this isn't your first incident and you've been in trouble for reckless or drunk driving in the past, you're going to want an attorney who can help mitigate any potential penalties or fines.
Hitting a pedestrian with your car is no joke, even if it was an accident. If you find yourself in this situation, don't try to go it alone. Hire a local auto accident attorney to protect your rights and minimize the consequences that may come from this unfortunate incident.
Share
About Me
Hello. My name is Stephanie Laurel. I have recently been through a divorce, and although I don’t wish it on anyone, I do wish that everyone could come out of the proceedings feeling they have been taken care of. My husband and I had been married twenty-eight years. We have four children, two of which are still under eighteen years of age. We owned the home we lived in and had a vacation home in a different state. We are civilized people, we get along fairly well considering, but no matter how much we thought we could go through the divorce process without lawyers, it wasn't possible. We each hired a divorce attorney to represent us. Most of the negotiations went well, but when we hit a rough spot the attorneys took over. Thank goodness. I’m going to share more about the experience and hope it helps you.