Chalmette Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Chalmette Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Certain popular tourist areas in Chalmette, like the Chalmette National Cemetery, see more pedestrians than the rest of the area. If drivers aren’t careful, they might seriously injure someone. Pedestrians affected by a vehicle collision should contact a Chalmette pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Chalmette

Personal injuries are the reason why Hammond Law Firm, LLC, was founded. We saw how many people were injured by the actions of others and decided to take action. Our Chalmette personal injury lawyers have recovered millions for victims of serious accidents, and we pride ourselves on benefiting the community.

Who Is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?

Most pedestrian accidents don’t happen to only one person. There are often multiple people involved in the accident who may have had a role, including:

• Vehicle drivers. Motorists often neglect to watch out for pedestrians. If a person is standing at a designated crosswalk and is taking all necessary precautions, then drivers need to yield to them.
• Pedestrians. Pedestrians are not always blame-free in a collision. They often partake in risky behaviors, like jaywalking. People still need to follow traffic laws, regardless of whether they are in a car or not.
• Public entities. Sometimes, poor infrastructure leads to an accident. This is especially true at night, when poor lighting can lead to parties not seeing each other. Other issues, like cracks in the road or sidewalk, might contribute. The governmental organization that failed to keep the area maintained might be responsible for some damages.
• Manufacturers of vehicles. Although manufacturers are less likely to be at fault, it is still possible. Sometimes, vehicles fail in ways that can result in a collision. The parties making or selling the vehicles could be held liable here.
• Companies. In recent years, commercial drivers have become more common. This increases the likelihood that a pedestrian accident could happen with a commercial driver. If this occurs, the parent company could be considered at fault if it discouraged safety practices.

In 2024, there were two pedestrian fatalities in St. Bernard Parish. Areas like State Roads 39 and 47 can become congested during rush hour, leading to pedestrian accidents.

How Do You Prove Fault?

Pedestrian accident victims need to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation. To do this, they need to establish that the accident directly caused their injuries. They also need to prove that the other parties involved were somewhat at fault for causing the accident.

There is a principle in Louisiana personal injury law called comparative negligence. This concept pays damages to people based on how much they are considered to be at fault. Even if someone was 25% at fault for an accident, they can still get 75% of the compensation available to them.

These percentages of fault are just examples. Actual liability ratings are assigned by insurance companies and courts. A Chalmette pedestrian accident attorney can try to reduce your fault percentage so you can be entitled to more money to address your injuries. This is only one reason why hiring an attorney is so important.

Why Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

Pedestrian accidents usually require more money for the victims. This is because pedestrians don’t have the safety of a vehicle to protect them in the event of a collision.

These types of accidents usually cause more serious injuries that require more medical attention. They might also result in longer periods of time when people are unable to work.

The more money that is requested from an insurance company, the more hesitant they might be to pay out. Their goal is to save money, not pay it.

There are also a lot of factors that might impact an insurance company’s opinion. They might think that the pedestrian did not follow traffic laws, which makes them at fault for their own injuries.

To combat these misconceptions, you need an attorney. They can argue that you were following traffic laws, with supporting evidence, to negotiate for a higher settlement.

Why Choose Us?

Hammond Law Firm, LLC, has successfully recovered as much as $500,000 for victims of motor vehicle accidents. This helps our clients by paying medical costs and living expenses while they are unable to work. This is life-changing income for many people.

FAQs

Do Pedestrians Have the Right-of-Way in Louisiana?

Pedestrians normally have the right-of-way in Louisiana. That means they should be yielded to whenever possible. However, this is most relevant when pedestrians are following traffic laws. If they decide to cross where there is no crosswalk present, then they might have to yield to vehicles. They might also obtain less in a pedestrian accident claim.

Is Louisiana a No-Fault Accident State?

Louisiana is not a no-fault accident state. It is an at-fault state for car accidents, including those that involve pedestrians. This means the damages are usually paid out by the at-fault party’s insurance company. It can apply to drivers as well as pedestrians, depending on who is deemed to be at fault for the accident, per the state’s pedestrian accident laws.

Can Car Insurance Be Used for a Pedestrian Accident in Louisiana?

Car insurance can be used for a pedestrian accident in Louisiana. In many cases, a driver is deemed to be at fault for an accident with a pedestrian, so their insurance can be used. If the pedestrian was not following traffic laws, then they might be partially liable as well. Comparative fault might have a role in how much compensation is paid out.

What Happens If a Pedestrian Accident Includes a Drunk Driver?

If a pedestrian accident includes a drunk driver, then the driver will likely be considered at fault for the accident. This means they will likely be responsible for paying damages to the victims. They might also receive criminal charges for driving while intoxicated. In extreme cases, punitive damages might be assigned to punish the driver.

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Even though only 0.6% of Chalmette residents walk to work, these individuals should still be considered by all drivers. If you were injured as a pedestrian due to a collision with a vehicle, schedule a consultation with Hammond Law Firm, LLC, to learn more about your rights.