According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, motor vehicle accidents killed more than 6,200 pedestrians in 2018. Many of these accidents occurred suddenly and without warning—the result of a negligent driver.
If you or a loved one was hurt or killed in a Pascagoula pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver, you have the right to hold them responsible for your losses.
The Pascagoula pedestrian accident lawyers at the Morris Bart law firm have worked on hundreds of pedestrian accident cases, and we are proud of the results we achieved. We operate on a contingency basis only, which means we are only paid if we are successful with your case. We ask for nothing upfront or out-of-pocket from you.
For a free review of your pedestrian accident claim, contact a member of the Morris Bart law firm team today at (228) 207-5266.
Injuries that Occur in Pedestrian Accidents
Many injuries can occur in pedestrian accidents, but these are five of the most common.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Auto accidents, including pedestrian accidents, are the second-leading cause of hospitalizations stemming from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). TBIs can range in severity. In their mildest form, they may only cause headaches and require monitoring for complications. When they are severe, however, they can disrupt brain function—changing the victim’s personality and impairing cognitive function.
Broken Bones
Broken bones, also known as fractures, can range in severity, just like TBIs. There is nothing to protect a victim from the full force of a collision during a pedestrian accident, so broken bones are common. In many cases, they will heal with no complications. However, if the bone shatters on impact or if it breaks through the skin, complications like a bone infection or compartment syndrome can occur.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries occur if the victim’s spinal cord is damaged when they are hit by a car. Because the spinal cord relays messages from the brain to other parts of the body, a spinal cord injury that disrupts the brain’s ability to deliver messages can cause loss of sensation or loss of mobility in the limbs, impairing the victim’s ability to walk. The majority of victims with this type of injury require some type of assistive device, such as a wheelchair, to be mobile after the accident.
Road Rash
A road rash is a common injury that people frequently sustain during childhood and is most often referred to as a scrape. However, when someone experiences a friction burn in a pedestrian accident, it is usually far more severe. Victims may lose multiple layers of skin and even require skin grafting to heal.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding can occur because of damage to the internal organs or brain during a pedestrian accident. It can be particularly dangerous because the victim may not realize they are bleeding. If left untreated, it can lead to external bleeding, coma, and, eventually, death.
If you are hurt and suffering because of a pedestrian accident that was caused by a driver’s negligent behavior, you have the right to hold that person responsible for your losses. Contact the Morris Bart law firm today at (228) 207-5266 for a free review of your case with a Pascagoula pedestrian accident lawyer.
For a free legal consultation with a Pedestrian Accident lawyer serving Pascagoula, call 800-537-8185
Laws that May Impact Your Case
Your Pascagoula pedestrian accident lawyer can explain two laws that may impact your claim—the statute of limitations in Mississippi and the legal doctrine of comparative fault.
According to Mississippi’s statute of limitations (§ 15-1-49), you have three years from the date of the accident to pursue compensation for your losses. If you fail to file within three years, you are generally barred from recovering damages. The same applies to wrongful death claims when the death was the result of someone’s negligence. Your claim must be filed within three years of the victim’s death, or you could be barred from recovering compensation.
Another law you should be aware of is the legal doctrine of comparative fault (Mississippi Code § 11-7-15). This tort rule allocates damages if both parties are responsible for causing an accident. For example, if a pedestrian is crossing the road illegally, but the driver was also going well above the speed limit, both parties may be at fault.
However, because Mississippi is a pure comparative fault state, the pedestrian—even if they were partially at fault—can still recover damages. The amount of compensation they can recover would just be reduced by their degree of liability. For example, if they were 40% responsible for the accident, they can still recover 60% of the total compensation awarded.
Recoverable Damages After a Pascagoula Pedestrian Accident
While a Pascagoula pedestrian accident lawyer cannot guarantee the compensation that you may be able to recover after a pedestrian accident, there are common types of damages that victims are able to receive in cases similar to yours. Naturally, the types of damages those victims recovered depended on the severity of their injuries and the amount of loss they experienced as a result of their accident. Damages may include:
- Medical costs (e.g., ambulance rides, surgical procedures, hospital stays, and doctor’s examinations)
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Future wages if their earning potential was lost
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
If a loved one died in the accident, families could be entitled to:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs related to the care of the victim before death
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and protection
- Wages and benefits previously provided by the deceased
Click to contact our Pascagoula Personal Injury Attorney today
Contact a Pascagoula Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
At the Morris Bart law firm, we are here to take the burden off you and pursue compensation for your losses while you heal from your injuries. We can gather evidence to build a strong case, calculate the value of your claim by determining the full extent of your losses—including the cost of your pain and suffering—and negotiate with the insurance company to pursue a fair settlement for your injuries.
For a free, no-risk, no-obligation review of your Pascagoula pedestrian accident claim, contact the team at the Morris Bart law firm today at (228) 207-5266.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
