BLafayette Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Lafayette Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

A pedestrian accident in Lafayette, Colorado, often results in severe and life-altering consequences. As a victim, you face a complex recovery marked by physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Hiring a pedestrian accident law firm is essential. Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. represents victims of pedestrian accidents with unwavering commitment and expertise.

Why Choose Us

• We have decades of combined experience
• We provide personalized attention
• We offer free initial consultations
• We hold insurance companies accountable
• We have recovered over $230 Million for our clients

Understanding Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents often involve complex legal and factual issues. All road users, including drivers, have a “duty of care” to others on the road—a legal obligation to act reasonably and avoid harming others. Drivers are expected to adhere to traffic laws and exercise reasonable care to avoid endangering pedestrians. Similarly, pedestrians must observe rules and use caution to minimize risks to themselves and others.

Many pedestrian accidents occur because someone breached their duty of care. When a driver’s actions violate the duty of care and a pedestrian is injured, the driver may be liable for the accident. However, determining liability requires a thorough investigation. Specifics of the incident are important, such as road conditions, traffic signals, and actions of both the driver and the pedestrian at the time of the accident.

At Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., our legal team recognizes the critical importance of thorough investigation and legal analysis in pedestrian accident cases. Your Lafayette pedestrian accident attorney will meticulously examine every aspect of an incident to establish fault and pursue fair compensation.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents stem from a few common causes. Understanding these can be crucial in identifying negligence and pursuing legal recourse.

• Distracted driving. One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents is drivers distracted by mobile devices, other passengers, or activities unrelated to driving. A lack of attention can prevent a driver from noticing pedestrians, especially in crosswalks or residential areas.
• Speeding. Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for conditions reduces a driver’s ability to react quickly to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
• Failure to yield the right of way. Many pedestrian accidents occur at intersections or crosswalks where drivers fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians.
• Impaired driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs judgment and reaction times, increasing the risk of colliding with pedestrians.
• Poor visibility. Accidents frequently happen in poor visibility conditions, such as at night or in bad weather, when drivers may not see pedestrians until it’s too late.
• Turning vehicles. Drivers making turns, especially right turns on red, may fail to notice pedestrians crossing the street, leading to collisions.
• Ignoring traffic signals. Running red lights or stop signs or not adhering to other traffic signals can result in drivers striking pedestrians crossing the road legally.

At Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., we carefully investigate the specifics of each pedestrian accident to identify liable parties and build the best case possible.

Pedestrian Rights and Comparative Negligence

Understanding pedestrian rights is crucial. Pedestrians have the right to expect a safe passage on sidewalks, crosswalks, and public areas. There’s an expectation that drivers will follow traffic laws, such as obeying speed limits, yielding at crosswalks, and not driving under the influence. If they don’t, and you’re injured as a pedestrian, you have the right to seek compensation.

However, comparative negligence can play a significant role in determining liability in pedestrian accidents. If a pedestrian’s actions, such as jaywalking or crossing against a traffic signal, are partially at fault for the accident, their percentage of fault can reduce their compensation. For instance, if a pedestrian is 30% responsible for an accident, any damage award they receive will be reduced by 30%. In Colorado, a pedestrian will be barred from recovery if their liability is 50% or higher.

Types of Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrian accidents in Lafayette often result in serious injuries, given the lack of protection pedestrians have compared to motor vehicles. At Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., our pedestrian accident lawyers frequently encounter a range of injuries in these cases. Common injuries can include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). TBIs can range from concussions to more severe brain damage, potentially leading to long-term cognitive issues, memory loss, or personality changes.
• Spinal cord injuries. Injuries to the spine can lead to partial or complete paralysis, requiring extensive rehabilitation and potentially lifelong disability.
• Broken bones. Fractures, especially in the legs, hips, and arms, are common and can necessitate surgeries and prolonged physical therapy.
• Internal injuries. Internal injuries, such as bleeding or organ damage, are also common in pedestrian accidents.
• Soft tissue injuries: These include sprains, tears, and bruises, which can be painful and require significant time to heal fully.

The impact of these injuries goes beyond physical pain. Victims often face emotional trauma, financial strain due to medical bills, and lost income during recovery. The severity of pedestrian injuries underscores the need for a skilled Lafayette pedestrian accident lawyer to ensure that victims have a legal advocate willing to fight for them.

Potential Compensation Available in a Pedestrian Accident Claim

Your pedestrian injury accident lawyer at Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. will guide you through the process of claiming various types of damages. Every claim is different, but generally, damages might include compensation for:

• Medical expenses. This includes compensation for all medical treatments related to the accident, including hospital bills, medications, surgeries, and future medical care.
• Lost wages. You can recover income lost due to the inability to work. If the injuries impact your long-term ability to work, you can also claim compensation for reduced earning potential.
• Pain and suffering. This compensation covers the physical pain and emotional distress suffered due to the accident.
• Disfigurement. You can seek additional damages if the accident results in scars or other permanent physical changes.
• Loss of enjoyment of life. You can seek compensation for the inability to engage in hobbies or activities enjoyed before the accident.
• Wrongful death. In fatal pedestrian accidents, families can pursue compensation for their losses, including funeral expenses and loss of companionship.

Our experienced attorneys know how to accurately assess the full extent of your losses and negotiate a settlement that reflects the accident’s impact on your life.

3 Reasons Why You Need a Lafayette Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

While you may feel confident in your ability to handle your case without professional help, you’ll soon realize that presenting an injury claim requires a lot of hard work and legal expertise.

When you should be working your way back from painful disabilities, you’ll have to comply with insurance adjuster requests. Before you see a single dime of settlement money, there is a long list of procedures and issues to follow through. It will be your job to contact doctors for bills and reports.

Taking care of a serious injury case on your own involves focus on investigation, evaluation, and negotiation. Instead of taking on these new challenges, you should be working on your personal recovery.

When you are seriously injured, your financial future depends on obtaining adequate compensation for your injuries. You have a lot at stake. That’s why it’s important to seek help from a Lafayette Pedestrian Accident Lawyers before you make a critical mistake. Here are 3 additional reasons to consider.

1. Liability Issues

Accidents often involve liability issues that can be difficult to resolve. Colorado’s comparative negligence statute plays a key role in liability assessments. You must determine whether or not you contributed to the circumstances which caused the accident and how it may affect the compensation you receive for your injuries.

2. Dealing with Insurance Companies and Adjusters

When you have a serious injury claim, the other driver’s insurance company adjuster will call and may want to visit your home. It’s an adjuster’s job to clear up any liability issues, so they must record your statement.

3. Calculating Damages

When you’re injured, you know the pain, disabilities, and scarring you are forced to endure, but do you know their economic value? Injury claims don’t have one-size-fits-all evaluations. If two different people sustain the same injury, the settlement value will be different due to a wide range of factors. Attorneys research your injuries to understand how they affect you.

Contact a Lafayette Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

Suffering from a pedestrian accident in Lafayette demands immediate action. Reach out to Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., to take advantage of our decades of combined legal experience. Your dedicated pedestrian injury accident attorney is ready to fight for your rights. We understand your struggles and commit to representing you with compassion and skilled legal support every step of the way. Don’t let the burden of pursuing a pedestrian accident claim hinder your recovery. Schedule your free consultation today by calling us or visiting our website. Let our extensive experience work for you.

ATTORNEY ROBERT S. HOOVER

Robert S. Hoover is a seasoned personal injury trial attorney and managing partner at Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. in Boulder, Colorado. With over 30 years of experience, he specializes in complex and catastrophic cases, including brain injuries, wrongful death, and serious vehicle accidents. He is known for his compassionate, client-centered approach and meticulous trial preparation. Influenced by personal experiences and mentorship from top litigators, he has secured numerous multimillion-dollar recoveries and remains actively involved in legal organizations and community leadership. [ ATTORNEY BIO ]