Have you been injured as a pedestrian? Were you or a loved one hit by a moving vehicle?
As a victim of a pedestrian accident, you may be left with catastrophic injuries, emotional trauma, and expensive medical bills. If the accident was caused by the driver’s or someone else’s negligence, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve to cover those financial losses.
The Average Settlement for Pedestrian Hit by Car
The estimated cost of an average pedestrian accident settlement depends on the unique circumstances of your case. Unfortunately, comparing the outcomes of other settlements won’t tell you much, since they can vary from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is all based on the details of your situation.
However, you may be able to recover the following damages, where applicable:
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future lost wages
- Reduced future earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Mental anguish, anxiety, and depression
- Impact of permanent disability or disfigurement
A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help you estimate the amount of money you could receive in a pedestrian accident settlement.
3 Factors Affecting a Pedestrian Accident Settlement Amount
Personal injury settlements for cases involving a pedestrian hit by a car vary widely and depend on several factors.
1. The Nature and Severity of Your Injuries
The extent of your injuries has a significant impact on the settlement amount you may be able to recover.
It’s no surprise: More serious injuries generally lead to higher settlement offers.
When a pedestrian accident results in catastrophic injuries or permanent damage, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord damage, they are likely to experience increased healthcare costs, ongoing pain and suffering, and long-term medical treatment needs—all of which can result in a greater settlement than one that covers minor injuries.
2. Who Is Liable or At-Fault
Many pedestrian actions are due to the negligence of the driver, which may include distracted driving, driving under the influence, or simply not following traffic laws. In these circumstances, the driver is most likely at fault.
However, pedestrians may have the right-of-way most of the time—but not always. For example, pedestrians must yield to traffic according to traffic signals at intersections or in areas where there isn’t a marked crosswalk. If someone tries to cross the street when they are not supposed to be walking and they get hit by a moving vehicle, they may be found partially or fully at fault.
Other parties could also be held liable for your financial losses:
- The owner of the vehicle (if the person who owns the car is someone other than the driver)
- The city (if, for example, damaged sidewalks or roads contributed to the crash)
- The car manufacturer (if the vehicle has a defect that contributed to the accident)
- The car repair shop (if a mechanic made a mistake that contributed to the crash)
- Another third party
Liability and fault depend on the details of your unique situation.
3. What Insurance Coverage Is Available
Pedestrian accident settlements are often paid by the driver’s insurance company, assuming the driver is liable for your damages.
Most states have a minimum coverage requirement for liability insurance that all drivers must carry in order to be legally insured. Unfortunately, not all drivers have auto insurance, and if you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may not be able to rely on an insurance payout. The good news is that many states also require anyone with auto insurance coverage to also get uninsured motorist coverage. If you have this type of coverage, it may be relevant here.
Additionally, catastrophic injuries may lead to higher medical bills, increased pain and suffering, and other damages that surpass the value of the driver’s liability coverage (or your uninsured motorist coverage). In those circumstances, your best option may be to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Talk with an experienced personal injury lawyer to explore your options.
Contact the Experienced Chicago Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Vasilatos Injury Law
If you or a loved one have been injured by a moving vehicle as a pedestrian, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Vasilatos Injury Law. We have represented hundreds of personal injury clients and obtained millions of dollars in awards for our clients in Chicago and across Illinois.
Our personal injury attorneys have experience in all aspects of motor vehicle accident and pedestrian law, and we are dedicated to helping our clients get the best possible compensation. Regardless of the nature of your case, you can rely on us to guide you toward a favorable outcome for you and your family.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
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