Lose a loved one in a pedestrian accident?

Every year, far too many New York residents lose their lives in auto-pedestrian accidents. These events tend to leave the victims’ loved ones devastated in more ways than one. If you recently lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, know that you may not have to bear the burden of your losses alone. You may be entitled to seek compensation through legal means.

With so many pedestrians in New York, you would think that drivers would be more aware of their presence and take extra care when operating their vehicles. Unfortunately, no matter how many auto-pedestrian accidents occur, driver behavior does not seem to change. Too many people continue to drive recklessly, drive while distracted, or operate their cars while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As a result, they fail to see pedestrians that are in plain sight or cause collisions that injure or kill pedestrians who happen to be near the accident scene.

The financial burden experienced after a fatal pedestrian accident can be significant. Funeral expenses alone can cost an arm and a leg. You may also find yourself facing a lack of income or benefits that your family depended on to survive, and you now have medical bills or other economic losses you are not prepared to cover on your own. The emotional burden of having to move forward following the untimely death of the victim may also be too much to bear. Seeking relief for both financial and emotional losses may be possible.

If driver negligence can be established following a fatal auto-pedestrian accident, you may file claims with the driver’s insurance provider in an effort to seek relief. Most likely, the initial settlement they will offer, if they offer anything, will leave you wanting — especially if the driver claims comparative negligence, meaning the victim was partially at fault for the incident. However, you should know that you do not have to accept a settlement with which you are unsatisfied. Legal counsel may be able to help you negotiate for more or, if absolutely necessary, take your case to a New York civil court to fight for maximum compensation. To learn how legal counsel may be able to help you, please take a moment and visit our firm’s website.