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Rhode Island Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Rhode Island Pedestrian Accidents
Rhode Island’s pedestrian fatality rate is 1.61. In 2020, out of a population of 1,057,000, 17 pedestrians were struck and killed in accidents. This rate is greater than the rates in neighboring Connecticut, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and even New York. If you travel by foot in Rhode Island, you are at risk of injury or death if you walk on or near roadways.
Have you or a loved one been hurt by a car or truck while crossing the street, taking your morning jog, or walking through a parking lot? You have rights, and the Rhode Island pedestrian accident lawyers at Sands Law want to help you protect them.
Pedestrians who are hurt by reckless drivers may be eligible for compensation. Contact Sands Law today to get help recovering it.
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Basics of Pedestrian Injury Cases in Rhode Island
As an injured pedestrian in Rhode Island, you may file legal action against a person or company whose careless actions caused you harm. This case must be filed within three years of your injuries — otherwise, you will lose the chance to get compensation to provide for your financial needs following an accident.
You may wonder how to know if you have a case. Consulting with an attorney from an experienced Rhode Island pedestrian accident law firm like Sands Law is the best way to find out.
A lawyer will look at the specific facts of your situation and provide you with a more certain answer. However, you can generally bring a pedestrian injury lawsuit if the following conditions apply:
Another Person or Company Acted Negligently or Recklessly
First, there must be a person or company that committed a careless or reckless act. Careless acts include those choices that reasonable and responsible people would not do. Reckless acts are actions taken despite the person knowing that they create an increased risk of a pedestrian crash.
Examples of careless and reckless behavior include the following:
- Speeding through congested traffic or where pedestrians are likely to be
- Driving while texting or using one’s smartphone
- Not checking a rearview mirror, side mirrors, or rearview camera before reversing
- Trying to beat a yellow light and speeding up through an intersection
- Driving while high, drunk, or otherwise impaired by a substance
Companies or entities may commit careless or reckless acts by failing to properly screen or supervise drivers, failing to install crosswalks or crossing signs, or not maintaining roadways and lights in good working order.
This Careless or Reckless Act Caused Your Injuries
Next, there must be a causal link between the other person’s actions and your injuries. In other words, if your accident and injuries would not have occurred had the other person not acted carelessly or recklessly, then such a link exists.
In some pedestrian accident cases, this link is easy to establish. If you are crossing the street and a speeding motorist hits you, breaking your leg, then it is clear that the driver’s speed caused your broken leg. You would likely be entitled to recover compensation from that negligent driver.
It can be more challenging to prove a causal link in other cases. Suppose that you are crossing a dark street and a motorist strikes you. You bring suit against your local municipality, arguing that their failure to install a street light led to your crash.
In this situation, it may be harder to show that your crash would not have happened had there been a street light near where you crossed the street.
This is a crucial step in a successful lawsuit. A seasoned Rhode Island pedestrian accident attorney knows this, and at Sands Law, we know how to look for the evidence necessary to meet this requirement.
Your Injuries Can Be Compensated with Monetary Damages
Last, you must establish the financial toll your injuries caused you and for which you need compensation. This can include medical bills, lost wages, and other one-time or ongoing expenses you are facing. You are also entitled to recover compensation for emotional harm, loss of your quality of life, pain and suffering, and other similar losses.
Speak to your Rhode Island pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible following a pedestrian accident. At Sands Law, we are passionate about helping injury victims in their quests for justice. We are resourceful and can dig into the details of your accident to make your case as strong as possible. We will fight to get the compensation you require.
If we cannot resolve your claim with an appropriate settlement from the other party’s insurer, we will work with a neutral arbitrator to secure your compensation. If all else fails, we will take your claim to trial and fight for your rights.
Contact Sands Law, your Rhode Island pedestrian accident law firm, to get started with your case.
Where and When Pedestrian Accidents Are Likely to Happen
Your Rhode Island pedestrian accident attorney from Sands Law can help you assert your legal rights no matter where your accident happened in the state. However, there are some places and times when a pedestrian collision and pedestrian death are more likely to happen. These situations include:
- Urban settings, such as cities that have more pedestrians and cars
- On the open road, where cars are traveling more quickly and there may not be a sidewalk
- During nighttime hours, when visibility is reduced
- On streets with a lack of artificial lighting, such as street lights or lights from businesses
Moreover, a pedestrian is more likely to be struck and killed on a Friday or Saturday, according to the National Safety Council.
No matter where they are, a motorist does not have the freedom to act carelessly. If they do and you or your loved one is hurt as a result, trust your Rhode Island pedestrian accident lawyers at Sands Law to help you through the recovery process.
Pedestrian Accident FAQs
Sands Law’s Rhode Island pedestrian accident attorneys are available to answer any questions you might have about your accident or what you can do about your injuries. Some of the most frequently asked questions are provided here.
How Much Does a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Cost?
Like most civil attorneys, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning our pay comes from a percentage of your total compensation. This means that you won’t have to pay a dime until WE WIN your case. You won’t be asked to pay any up-front fees or costs.
Can I Recover Damages if I Was Careless Too?
You might be concerned that by not wearing bright clothing at night or by crossing the street outside of a crosswalk, you cannot recover any damages. As an experienced Rhode Island pedestrian accident law firm, we have helped victims recover damages even under these circumstances.
In Rhode Island, you can still recover damages even if you were partly to blame for the accident. Do not let this concern keep you from speaking with Sands Law.
What If the Driver Who Hit Me Fled the Scene?
You need experienced and competent legal help from a Rhode Island pedestrian accident lawyer right away. Get medical assistance for your injuries and try to record as much as you remember about the at-fault motorist. Law enforcement and your attorney can use this information, along with other resources, to try to locate the driver.
In the meantime, your lawyer can help you file a claim with your insurer or access other benefits that might be available to you to help with your injuries and expenses.
What Should I Do if My Injuries Are Permanent?
If you hit your head or hurt your back when you were hit, you may never fully recover from your injuries. You may regain some functionality but have lingering pain, or you may not be able to return to your job after your accident if your job was physically demanding.
In these circumstances, your lawyer will work with you to pursue a compensation award that takes into consideration these ongoing losses. Experienced legal counsel will work with you, your employer, and your medical team to arrive at a monetary figure that fairly addresses these long-lasting injuries.
Settling a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit Quickly
Be careful about settling your case too quickly. The at-fault motorist or the company you sue for causing your injuries may offer you a settlement to resolve your case. Before you accept their offer of compensation, take the offer to your Rhode Island pedestrian accident lawyer for review.
At Sands Law, we want you to get compensated quickly and with minimal inconvenience. However, we want you to be fairly compensated, too. If a settlement offer is too low, we will tell you. We will then go to work fighting for a more appropriate settlement.
If the other side will not agree to such a figure, Sands Law is prepared to take your case to court.
Why You Should Call Sands Law Today
Your choice of which Rhode Island pedestrian accident law firm to represent you is a crucial decision. Choose Sands Law — we have the experience, drive, and resources to see your case through to a successful conclusion.
We are not afraid to stand up for our clients and speak on their behalf both in court and at the negotiating table. Our job is not done until we have exhausted every avenue and expended every effort to get you compensated.
Contact Sands Law today, and allow us to assist you and your family following a pedestrian accident.
