Pedestrian Accidents

Attorneys for Motor Vehicle Collision Victims in New Hampshire and Massachusetts

People should be able to walk through New Hampshire cities and towns without fear for their safety, but many pedestrians are injured in accidents caused by careless motorists. Pedestrian accidents often cause permanent harm. If you were hurt while walking, or if you lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, it is wise to consult an attorney to discuss the claims that you may be able to pursue against the party responsible for your losses. At Stephen Law Group, our New Hampshire pedestrian accident lawyers have ample experience aiding people injured in pedestrian accidents in the pursuit of damages. We will work diligently to help you seek justice for the harm that you suffered due to someone else’s negligence.

Injuries Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents often occur when a person who is walking goes unnoticed by a motorist and is suddenly struck while crossing an intersection or street, or while walking along the side of the road. Pedestrian accidents often cause critical injuries, such as concussions and other traumatic brain injuries, hemorrhages, fractures, organ damage, and lacerations. Pedestrian accidents frequently cause psychological trauma as well, and they can lead to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Recovering Damages Following a Pedestrian Accident

Many pedestrian accidents are caused by careless behavior. Therefore, in most instances in which a plaintiff seeks damages for the harm caused by a pedestrian accident, the plaintiff will allege that the defendant was negligent. A plaintiff alleging negligence must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty, but the defendant breached the duty by failing to exercise reasonable care. The plaintiff must then prove that the breach caused the plaintiff to suffer quantifiable harm. This means that, in cases arising out of a pedestrian accident, the plaintiff and a pedestrian accident attorney in New Hampshire must show that the defendant’s breach was the actual and legal cause of the accident. The plaintiff must produce evidence sufficient to prove that the accident would not have happened if the defendant had not breached the duty owed and that the breach was a substantial factor in causing the accident.

Frequently, a defendant in a pedestrian accident case will argue that the plaintiff caused or contributed to the accident, and therefore the plaintiff should not recover compensation. For example, a defendant may argue that a plaintiff was walking in an area not meant for pedestrians or did not have the right of way. In New Hampshire, however, a plaintiff who is found to be partially at fault for the accident that caused his or her harm may still be awarded damages, as long as the plaintiff’s fault is not greater than the fault of the defendant. If a plaintiff is deemed at fault, his or her damages will be reduced in proportion to his or her fault.

Compensation Awarded in Pedestrian Accident Lawsuits

The compensation awarded in a pedestrian accident lawsuit is meant to repair the harm caused by the accident. A New Hampshire pedestrian accident attorney will often be able to help a plaintiff recover the cost of any medical treatment that he or she needed following the accident, in addition to compensation for lost wages if the plaintiff could not work due to his or her injuries. A plaintiff may also be awarded compensation for the intangible harm caused by the accident, such as suffering, pain, and mental anguish. Similarly, when a person loses his or her life due to a pedestrian accident, the person’s surviving family members may be able to recover damages for the economic and non-economic harm caused by the person’s death via a wrongful death claim.

Explore Your Options With Our Capable Attorneys

Pedestrian accidents typically cause grave harm, and they may even cost people their lives. If you or a loved one were injured in a pedestrian accident, it is wise to meet with an attorney to discuss the remedies that you may be able to pursue in a civil lawsuit. The personal injury lawyers at Stephen Law Group take pride in helping victims of pedestrian accidents seek recourse for their harm, and we will work diligently to help you pursue a favorable outcome. Our pedestrian accident lawyers assist victims throughout New Hampshire and in many regions of Massachusetts. We can be contacted at 877-663-1007 or via our online form to set up a meeting.