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Pedestrians have the right to walk the sidewalks of Syracuse without the fear that a negligent driver will strike them. Unfortunately, not all motorists are careful in how they drive. And when their irresponsible conduct causes them to strike a pedestrian, the results can be catastrophic.
Winning the compensation that you will need to recover from your injuries requires serious legal representation that puts your interests first. Find out how the personal injury lawyers of Carden Dotzler Hammond, PLLC fight for pedestrians who have been hurt while on the sidewalk.
Yes, You Can Sue the Driver (and Possibly Others)
The answer to the question is that yes, you have the right to sue the driver for negligently causing the accident with you. The first and most important question will be who is the driver? In many of these cases, motorists who strike pedestrians flee the scene to avoid prosecution and liability for the collision.
Whether your accident is a hit and run or not, you will need evidence showing who the driver is, how the crash occurred, and how bad your injuries are. This evidence could include:
- Surveillance camera footage: If the accident happened on a Syracuse sidewalk in front of a business or public surveillance camera, an attorney can help you obtain this footage.
- Other camera footage: A nearby driver may also have captured the crash on a dashcam, or another pedestrian might have recorded it on a smartphone camera.
- Police accident report: You should call 911 if you or someone you love was injured and allow police to come and generate a report with important details about the accident.
- Witness statements: Whether the accident was recorded or not, a witness who observed the incident can give a statement about what they saw.
- Videos and pictures: You or a witness should take pictures and record videos of the accident scene and your injuries.
- Your own personal recollection: As soon as you are able, you should make notes about the incident and the consequences on your health and well-being.
You should also gather other evidence such as medical records and proof of missed work. If you are able to locate the driver, your Syracuse personal injury lawyer can file a lawsuit and seek compensation from their insurance company. There may be additional third parties such as those mentioned below who could also be held liable.
What Happens If I Can’t Find the Driver?
Syracuse streets are plenty busy, and it’s not unusual for drivers who flee accident scenes to evade capture. If this happens to you, fortunately there are still options for covering your losses. They may include:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage: If you have an automobile insurance policy with UM coverage, you may be able to use it even if you were a pedestrian. UM can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering if the driver is never found.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP coverage may provide compensation for medical bills and lost income, regardless of fault. You may be able to file under your own PIP coverage or that of a family member in your household.
- MedPay coverage: Another possible option is MedPay, which is payment for medical bills regardless of fault. It is less common than PIP but worth exploring if you have it.
Our Commitment to Our Personal Injury Clients
We understand the stress and frustration of being in an automobile accident when all you were doing was walking on the sidewalk. We are committed to helping Syracuse pedestrians win the damages they need to recover from their losses and move on with their lives. If you were hit on the sidewalk, our firm can advocate for your rights.
Additionally, we will work with you to use all coverage options that may be available. This could be through your own insurance or the at-fault driver’s automobile insurance. Sometimes there are also third parties who can be held liable for automobile crashes that injure pedestrians, including:
- Bars and restaurants that negligently serve intoxicated drivers too much alcohol
- Manufacturers who assemble a faulty and defective vehicle involved in a crash
- Parts manufacturers (e.g. braking systems) when those components in a vehicle fail
- Construction contractors who cause accidents on Syracuse roads and highways next to sidewalks
- Government entities responsible for road construction and maintenance
Learn more about filing a pedestrian accident claim by reaching out to CDH Law. You can call us or complete our online contact form to get started.