Being hit by a vehicle can leave a pedestrian facing serious injuries, medical expenses, missed work, and uncertainty about what comes next. The situation can become even more stressful when the driver’s insurance company argues that you caused or contributed to the accident.
An insurer may question where you were walking, when you entered the roadway, what you were doing immediately before the collision, or whether the driver had enough time to react. When fault becomes disputed, the details surrounding the accident can become central to your claim.
At Rah Law, we represent pedestrians injured by negligent or reckless drivers. If an insurer is attempting to place responsibility on you, working with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Springfield can help you understand your situation, establish fault, and pursue the financial compensation available for your injuries and losses.
Why Would an Insurance Company Blame a Pedestrian?
A pedestrian accident claim often involves determining how and why the collision occurred. The insurance company may examine the pedestrian’s actions as well as the driver’s conduct before deciding how it will respond to a claim.
Questions may arise about where the pedestrian was located, whether the driver saw the pedestrian, and what happened in the moments before impact.
That does not mean you should automatically accept the insurance company’s version of events. A pedestrian collision may involve circumstances that require a closer examination before fault can be properly established.
Rah Law identifies several factors frequently associated with Missouri pedestrian accidents, including:
- Excessive speed
- Intoxicated driving
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Intentional malice
Understanding the driver’s actions can therefore be just as important as responding to allegations made against the pedestrian.
Why Establishing Fault Matters After a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians have little physical protection when struck by a motor vehicle. Even a collision at relatively low or moderate speed can cause significant injuries.
When the insurance company disputes responsibility, establishing what actually caused the accident becomes particularly important.
Rah Law states that pedestrians have the right to safely use sidewalks, crosswalks, and roadways. When a negligent driver violates those rights and causes an injury, the injured pedestrian may have the right to seek financial compensation for resulting damages.
This is where a pedestrian accident lawyer in Springfield can become an important part of the process. Rather than allowing an insurer’s allegation to define the claim, your attorney can focus on establishing fault based on the circumstances surrounding the collision.
What Should You Do If the Insurer Says You Caused the Accident?
Being blamed can be frustrating, particularly when you are also recovering from injuries. However, an allegation from an insurance company should not cause you to assume that you have no options.
Consider speaking with an attorney about the circumstances surrounding the collision and the insurer’s position.
Details can matter. For example, a claim involving a driver who failed to yield may raise different issues than one involving distracted driving, excessive speed, or reckless behavior. Understanding what happened requires looking at the accident as a whole rather than focusing only on an accusation against the pedestrian.
A pedestrian accident attorney can help address the issue of fault while handling communication and negotiations with the insurance company.
How Can Rah Law Help When Fault Is Disputed?
Rah Law’s pedestrian accident attorneys handle claims involving people injured by negligent or reckless drivers. The firm’s pedestrian accident service includes several areas that can be particularly important when an insurer is disputing responsibility.
Establishing Fault for Your Injuries
One of the services Rah Law specifically provides in pedestrian accident cases is working to establish fault.
When the insurance company argues that you caused the collision, determining who was responsible becomes a central issue. Our team can examine the circumstances of the accident and advocate for your position as the claim moves forward.
This can be particularly important when driver behavior such as failure to yield, distraction, intoxication, excessive speed, or aggressive driving may have contributed to the collision.
Negotiating With the Insurance Company
You do not have to navigate insurance negotiations alone.
Our attorneys handle negotiations with insurance companies as part of your pedestrian accident representation. Having an attorney manage this aspect of the claim can allow the legal issues surrounding fault and compensation to be addressed while you concentrate on recovering from your injuries.
When an insurer challenges your version of events or attempts to place responsibility on you, having a pedestrian accident lawyer in Springfield advocating on your behalf can be valuable.
Helping You Find Appropriate Medical Treatment
Pedestrian collisions can cause significant injuries. Rah Law notes that pedestrians may suffer injuries such as broken bones and traumatic brain injuries because they have no meaningful protection from the force of a motor vehicle or a subsequent impact with the ground or another object.
Rah Law also assists pedestrian accident clients in finding appropriate medical treatment.
Receiving appropriate care matters first and foremost for your health. Your injuries and resulting medical expenses can also be an important part of understanding the damages caused by the accident.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Pedestrian Accident?
A serious pedestrian accident can create financial consequences extending beyond the initial medical bills.
According to Rah Law’s pedestrian accident service page, damages in a Missouri pedestrian accident claim may encompass:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Damage to personal property
- Loss of earning potential
- Permanent disability
- Funeral and burial expenses
The damages that may apply depend on the individual circumstances of the accident.
If a negligent driver caused significant injuries and costly medical expenses, Rah Law can assist in pursuing financial compensation from the responsible party.
Do Not Let an Insurance Company’s Allegation Define Your Claim
Being told that you caused a pedestrian accident can make an already difficult situation feel even more uncertain. But the insurance company’s position is not something you have to navigate by yourself.
The circumstances that led to the collision matter. A driver’s failure to yield, distraction, excessive speed, intoxication, or reckless behavior can all be relevant when determining how a pedestrian accident happened.
Rather than making assumptions about your rights based solely on what an insurer tells you, consider discussing the accident with a pedestrian accident attorney.
Get Assisted by the Most Trusted Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Springfield
If you were injured by a negligent or reckless driver and the insurance company is now blaming you for the accident, Rah Law is prepared to help.
Our Springfield pedestrian accident attorneys can handle the insurance negotiations, work to establish fault for your injuries, assist you in finding appropriate medical treatment, and fight on your behalf as you pursue financial compensation.
You should be able to focus on your recovery rather than handling a disputed pedestrian accident claim by yourself.
Contact Rah Law to arrange a complimentary consultation and discuss what happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the insurance company says I caused the pedestrian accident?
An insurer’s allegation can create a dispute over fault, but you do not have to handle that dispute alone. Rah Law’s pedestrian accident attorneys work to establish fault for their clients’ injuries and negotiate with insurance companies. The circumstances of the collision should be considered when determining responsibility.
What driver behaviors commonly contribute to pedestrian accidents?
Rah Law identifies excessive speed, intoxicated driving, distracted driving, failure to yield, aggressive or reckless driving, and intentional malice as factors frequently seen in pedestrian accidents. The circumstances of each collision are different, so determining what contributed to a particular accident requires looking at what occurred.
Can Rah Law negotiate with the driver’s insurance company for me?
Yes. Negotiating with the insurance company is specifically included among the services Rah Law provides to pedestrian accident clients. This can be particularly important when an insurer is challenging fault or disputing a pedestrian’s claim.
What types of compensation may be available after a pedestrian accident?
Depending on the circumstances, damages may encompass medical bills, lost income, personal property damage, loss of earning potential, permanent disability, and funeral and burial expenses. The damages involved will depend on the losses resulting from the particular accident.
Can a pedestrian accident cause serious injuries even at a lower speed?
Yes. Pedestrians lack the physical protection available to vehicle occupants. Rah Law notes that even impacts at relatively low to moderate speeds can result in severe injuries, including broken bones and traumatic brain injuries.
Can Rah Law help me find medical treatment after a pedestrian accident?
Yes. Rah Law states that its pedestrian accident attorneys can assist clients in finding appropriate medical treatment while also handling other aspects of the claim, including establishing fault and negotiating with the insurance company.
How do I speak with a pedestrian accident attorney at Rah Law?
If you were injured by a negligent or reckless driver, you can contact Rah Law to arrange a complimentary consultation. Speaking with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Springfield can help you better understand the next steps when an insurance company is disputing responsibility for the accident.
