Civil and Criminal Consequences of Pedestrian-Car Accidents

What Happens After a Pedestrian Accident? Contact Us Today

Surprising to most people, a pedestrian is struck and killed by a car almost every hour of each day in the United States. Far more common than expected, these accidents take place not only in busy cities, but also in small-town neighborhoods. Whether the accident is due to a driver’s negligence associated with being impaired or distracted behind the wheel, driving well past the posted speed limit, or other situations, the fact is victim’s lives and the lives of their families are forever changed. If you or a loved one were the victim of a pedestrian-car accident, always make sure the driver responsible faces the appropriate civil and even criminal consequences. To do so, begin by speaking to Grey Law and hiring an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney.

Hit and Run Accidents

Some of the most common pedestrian car accidents that take place, hit and run accidents are defined as when a pedestrian is struck by a motorist who flees the scene without stopping. In many cases, hit and run drivers will face felony charges, which if convicted lead to heavy fines and prison sentences. If you were a hit and run victim, let a Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney protect your rights and seek compensation for your injuries.

DWI/DUI

If you were hit by a DUI/DWI driver and suffered major injuries, expect the driver to face civil as well as criminal consequences. If convicted of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the driver will be fined heavily, receive a jail or prison sentence, see their insurance premiums rise or have their policy canceled altogether, and likely have their driver’s license suspended. But more importantly to you, it is crucial you hire a lawyer who Los Angeles knows from Grey Law to handle your case. By having an experienced attorney on your side, you can gain well-deserved compensation to pay your medical bills and replace any paychecks you are losing from your job.

Vehicular Manslaughter

Commonly referred to as involuntary manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter happens when a pedestrian is struck and killed by a motorist who is operating their car in an extremely reckless manner. For example, should a person be struck and killed by a driver who is going 75 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone, vehicular manslaughter charges may be brought against them. For these charges to be brought against a driver, negligence that goes far beyond what would be considered ordinary must be proven. Since being able to prove this could be what ultimately allows you to win your case, work with a hit and run accident lawyer who Los Angeles victims and families will allow them to come away from court a winner in these cases.

Personal Injury Lawsuit

While criminal charges will focus on punishing a driver through fines, jail, and other penalties, civil penalties following pedestrian car accidents often include victims filing a personal injury lawsuit against the driver responsible for their injuries. When this is done, the goal is to let the victim recover money to compensate them for damages incurred as a result of the accident. This usually includes such things as money needed to pay current and future medical expenses, replace income already lost as well as income which may be lost in the future, and financial compensation to help victims and families cope with pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and other aspects associated with the accident. Since you will only have one opportunity to get the compensation you deserve following your accident, turn to Grey Law to build a strong case that lets a court rule in your favor.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Should you and your family suffer the devastating loss of a loved one due to a pedestrian car accident, you have the option of filing a wrongful death lawsuit to gain compensation for their death. For these lawsuits to be successful, it is imperative you have an injury attorney on your case who can use the evidence from the accident to show the driver was negligent and careless behind the wheel, leading to the accident and subsequent death of your loved one. As for the compensation you can seek when filing a wrongful death lawsuit, this usually includes money to pay for funeral expenses, replace the income that would have been earned by your loved one, help with the loss of companionship, and other related areas. Due to the driver’s attorney and insurance company being determined to do anything but pay out compensation in these cases, hire only the best Los Angeles pedestrian injury attorney at Grey Law to represent you in court.

Out-of-Court Settlements

While it is quite possible your personal injury lawsuit could eventually be heard by a judge and jury, there is a far greater chance your pedestrian accident attorney who Los Angeles clients always rely on will be able to settle your case out-of-court. In most situations, an insurance company would rather reach an out-of-court deal rather than take their chances with a jury, since the jury may wind up ordering them to pay far more than what could be agreed upon in a settlement. However, insurance companies will sometimes try to coerce victims or their families into accepting a quick settlement. If this is offered to you, don’t do anything until you have spoken to your hit and run lawyer in Los Angeles. They will give an honest opinion. Many times, these initial settlements are for amounts far lower than what victims need to pay medical bills and replace lost income. Therefore, let your lawyer at Grey Law advise you on what to do next.

Since both civil and criminal consequences can result from pedestrian car accidents, make sure you have expert legal representation from a traffic accident lawyer at Grey Law. To get the legal process started with your case, schedule a consultation today.