How Much is a Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
Motor Vehicles Accidents - August 27, 2021
Pedestrian accidents that occur in Illinois often result in severe injuries for those involved. When a person sustains a pedestrian accident injury, it can be challenging for them to secure compensation for their losses. Here, we want to examine how much a pedestrian accident case is worth. Any person injured due to the careless or negligent actions of another driver should be entitled to the coverage of their expenses, but it is important to note that no two pedestrian accident claims are exactly alike. If you need to know how much your particular claim is worth, you need to contact a pedestrian accident lawyer for help as soon as possible.
Examining the Medical Expenses of a Pedestrian Accident in Illinois
Perhaps the costliest aspect of a pedestrian accident injury is the medical bills. First, we need to point out that no pedestrian accident victim should settle their claim before their doctor says they have reached maximum medical improvement. This will be the point where no additional medical treatment will likely improve the condition further. If an individual settles their case before they have reached this point, there will be no way to go back and reopen the claim to get more compensation if the injuries are more severe than initially thought.
Pedestrians can experience a range of types of medical expenses in these situations. This can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Emergency room bills
- Follow up doctor’s office bills
- Prescription medications and medical device costs
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
There is no way to properly estimate how much these medical costs will be until a pedestrian accident victim has truly reached maximum medical recovery.
Other Costs of the Pedestrian Accident Case in Illinois
Medical costs are not the only expense that pedestrian accident victims in Illinois will have to contend with. There are many other expenses associated with these injuries, including the following:
- Lost wages if a pedestrian accident victim cannot work while they recover
- Loss of future earnings if a pedestrian is disabled
- General household out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage expenses (any property that was on the pedestrian when the accident occurred)
Calculating these expenses can be done by gathering pay stubs, tax returns, and various bills or receipts after the injury occurs. However, we also have to take into account the emotional and psychological trauma caused by these incidents. Pedestrian crash victims are likely to suffer from a range of emotional issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and more. Some pedestrian crash victims even experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These losses need to be taken into account when properly calculating the overall value of a pedestrian accident claim.
Working With an Illinois Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Data from the Illinois Department of Transportation shows us that there were nearly 4,800 total pedestrian crashes across this state during the latest reporting year. The figures indicate that most of these reported incidents lead to some type of injury for the pedestrian involved. If you or somebody you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver, you need to work with an attorney to help you with your claim as soon as possible. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Chicago will have the resources necessary to conduct a complete investigation into the claim and help you recover total compensation for your losses.
