Pedestrians who are hit by cars can sustain catastrophic injuries. In many cases, the injuries cause life-threatening conditions and permanent impairments. If you were struck by a vehicle while crossing the road, walking, or jogging, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages.
Our St. Catharines pedestrian accident lawyers at Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers can help you maximize your financial recovery. Since 1981, we have fought for the rights of injured victims in Ontario. Our law firm has recovered tens of millions of dollars in life-changing personal injury settlements and jury verdicts for our clients.
We are available 24/7 to discuss a pedestrian accident claim with you. Contact our office, you can call (905) 685-3085 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in St. Catharines, Ontario.
How Our St. Catharines Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident
Injured pedestrians could be entitled to compensation for their pain, suffering, lost income, medical expenses, and other damages. However, even though you are entitled to these damages, you may have to fight to receive a fair settlement amount. Insurance companies and drivers might deny liability and try to avoid taking responsibility for the injuries and damages caused.
Hiring an experienced St. Catharines personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference in your case. Our legal advocates at Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers are aggressive negotiators and seasoned trial lawyers. We fiercely advocate for our clients to obtain the maximum compensation available for their claims.
When you hire our top-rated pedestrian accident lawyers in St. Catharines, you can expect us to:
- Listen to what happened to you and provide compassionate, straightforward legal advice about your options for recovering compensation
- Complete a thorough investigation to determine how the accident occurred and identify all parties who could share liability for your damages
- Monitor the results of accident investigations by law enforcement officials
- Gather evidence proving that the driver was at fault for causing the accident, including working with leading expert witnesses as necessary
- Document your damages to determine an accurate value for your personal injury claim
- Negotiate fair settlement agreements
- File a lawsuit and take your case to court if a settlement is not possible
Don’t let an insurance company pressure you into accepting a settlement offer before you speak with a lawyer. Call now for a free case evaluation with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in St. Catharines, ON.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in St. Catharines, ON
Many pedestrian accidents could have been avoided. Negligence and carelessness are common reasons for these accidents.
Common causes of pedestrian crashes include, but are not limited to:
- Distracted driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Driving while intoxicated
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Drowsy and fatigued driving
The most common location for pedestrian accidents is at an intersection. However, pedestrian accidents can occur anywhere, including in parking lots, private property, and non-intersections.
Who Could Be Financially Responsible for My Pedestrian Accident in St. Catharines, Ontario?
The facts of the case determine who is liable for the pedestrian’s injuries and damages.
Parties who could be liable for damages in a pedestrian accident claim include:
- Negligent drivers
- Electric scooter operators
- Government entities
- Transit companies
- Rideshare drivers and rideshare companies
- Truck drivers and trucking companies
- Bicyclists
- Employers of negligent parties
- Manufacturers of defective vehicles or equipment
Our St. Catharines pedestrian accident lawyers will identify each party who could be liable for your damages and all sources of compensation. We’ll do so to increase the amount of funds available to pay your personal injury claim.
St. Catharines Pedestrian Accidents Can Cause Severe Injuries
When a car strikes a pedestrian, the pedestrian has no protection from the force of the impact. The result is devastating injuries.
Our St. Catharines accident lawyers help people who have suffered all types of pedestrian injuries, including but not limited to:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Crushing injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Lacerations and cuts
- Head and face injuries
Some victims sustain injuries that result in death. When this happens, our lawyers help family members file wrongful death claims against the driver and other parties who caused their loved one’s death.
What Damages Can I Receive After a Pedestrian Accident in St. Catharines, ON?
Pedestrians injured in an accident can recover compensation for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages.
Examples of damages in a pedestrian accident claim include:
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Past and future medical bills
- Impairments and disabilities
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Past and future lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- A decrease in quality of life
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Nursing and/or personal care
- Diminished earning capacity
Many factors determine how much your pedestrian accident claim is worth, including:
- The type of injuries you sustained in the accident
- The parties involved in the case
- The availability of insurance coverage and the policy limits
- Whether you sustained a permanent disability or impairment
- The level of disfigurement and scarring sustained
- The strength of your evidence proving fault and liability
- Whether you can return to work or perform any activity to earn income
- Your level of fault for causing the pedestrian accident, if any
- The duration of your recovery period
- The type of medical treatments you received
- The adverse consequences and impact on your daily activities and relationships
Our St. Catharines pedestrian accident lawyers will analyze each factor in your case to determine how it impacts the claim’s value. We’ll work to maximize the value of your damages to obtain the best possible settlement or verdict for your case.
Can I Recover Compensation for Damages if I’m Partially to Blame for Causing a Pedestrian Accident in Ontario, Canada?
Being partially at fault for the cause of a pedestrian accident does not prevent you from recovering compensation for a portion of your damages. Ontario’s negligence laws direct courts to apportion damages when the parties share liability for causing an accident. Therefore, you can receive compensation for pedestrian accident injuries based on your level of fault.
For example, suppose you are awarded $500,000 for a pedestrian accident claim. However, the court finds that your actions contributed to the cause of the accident by 50%. Instead of receiving the total award of $500,000, you would receive $250,000 (50% of the total award).
Parties often use contributory negligence to avoid paying the full value of a personal injury claim. They try to shift some of the blame for the accident to the victim, even when the victim did not contribute to the cause of the accident. Instead of dealing directly with the insurance company or at-fault party, let a lawyer communicate for you to avoid making statements that could be construed as admitting fault for the accident.
Steps to Take After a St. Catharines Pedestrian Accident
Your actions after an accident could help or hurt your case.
Things you can do that could help you with a personal injury claim after a St. Catharines pedestrian accident include:
- Report the pedestrian accident to the police immediately and wait for emergency responders to arrive
- Do not refuse medical treatment after a pedestrian accident
- If possible, take photographs and make a video of the accident scene, or have someone do it for you
- Ask witnesses and bystanders for their names and contact information
- Do not accept fault or apologize for the accident
- Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries and follow your doctor’s treatment plan
- Document your damages by keeping copies of medical records, taking photographs of your injuries, and creating a pain and suffering journal
Schedule a free consultation with our St. Catharines pedestrian accident lawyers as soon as possible. We can guide you through the claims process and help you avoid actions that could hurt a personal injury claim. We’ll also take care of all aspects of your pedestrian accident case so you can focus on your recovery and health.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim in St. Catharines, ON?
The Ontario Limitations Act sets deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits, including cases involving a pedestrian accident injury. Generally, you have two years from the accident date to file your lawsuit. The court can dismiss your case if you miss the deadline, even if you have a valid claim against the driver who caused the accident.
However, the facts of your case and exceptions to the statute could change the deadline. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of a free initial consultation as soon as possible to avoid losing your legal right to file a lawsuit after a pedestrian accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our St. Catharines Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
The consequences of a pedestrian accident can be catastrophic and devastating. The driver who caused your injuries should compensate you fairly for your suffering and financial damages. Call Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers today to request a free case review with one of our experienced St. Catharines pedestrian accident lawyers.