Pedestrian accidents often happen because of reckless driving, like speeding in neighborhoods. When a car hits a pedestrian, the injuries are usually severe or even fatal. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Lafayette can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation.
At Galloway Jefcoat, our Lafayette personal injury lawyers work tirelessly to hold negligent drivers accountable. We have been advocating for the injured in Lafayette and throughout Louisiana for more than 25 years. During that time, we have recovered millions in compensation for our clients. Call today for a free consultation.
Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Lafayette
We’re proud to be one of the oldest and most respected firms in the area. Over the years, we’ve built strong relationships and a solid reputation by doing things the right way: treating people with honesty, respect, and real care.
Our team is made up of professionals who genuinely want to help, and that’s something our clients and colleagues recognize and appreciate.
Founding partner and attorney, Rusty Galloway, has personally managed thousands of personal injury cases and is deeply committed to protecting his clients’ interests. He is an active member of the Louisiana Bar Association and is well known for going the extra mile in the pursuit of legal justice for his clients.
"I have used Galloway Jefcoat a few times and have always been very satisfied. Furthermore, all of the people who work there are very professional, nice, and courteous."
Am I Eligible to File a Pedestrian Accident Case?
Determining whether you may have a pedestrian accident case depends on many contributing factors. This is one of the reasons we provide a free initial consultation. We use that time to gather more details about the events leading up to when you were hit by a car.
Give as much information about the incident as possible. The longer you wait to call a Lafayette pedestrian crash attorney, however, the harder it will be to remember specific details about what happened.
You may also be asked to provide documents that help support your claim, such as:
- The police report
- Photos of the accident scene and your injuries
- Whether any dashcam or surveillance video footage may have captured your accident
- Medical records from when you sought medical attention, which you should do right away
- Contact details of any bystanders who witnessed you getting hit by a car
- A copy of your auto insurance policy
- Your employer details, including pay stubs if you had to miss work
If your case has merit, you may be eligible to seek compensation to recover damages.
"Galloway Jefcoat are amazing professionals who are very client focused. They will guide you thru all the details to help get your litigation solved. I was involved in a crash that ultimate required a knee replacement"
What Could a Pedestrian Accident Case Be Worth?
Each pedestrian accident is different. As such, the total value of a claim depends on the specific details of your situation, such as the severity of your injuries, the cost of treatment, and how the accident has affected your life.
If you have a valid case, you may be able to recover compensation for a wide range of damages, both financial and non-financial. These damages can include:
- Emergency transportation: The cost of being transported to the hospital by ambulance or medical helicopter immediately after the accident. These services can be expensive but are often necessary for serious injuries.
- Medical expenses: This includes all initial and ongoing medical costs related to the accident, such as emergency room care, imaging tests (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs), lab work, medications, and treatment provided by doctors or specialists.
- Future medical bills: If your injuries require long-term care, follow-up surgeries, rehabilitation, or recurring treatments, you may be able to recover compensation for those future medical needs. This also includes projected costs for therapy, home healthcare, or medical equipment.
- Property damage: Any personal belongings that were damaged or destroyed during the accident, such as a cellphone, backpack, glasses, or bicycle, can be included in your claim.
- Pain and suffering: This refers to the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries. It can include anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep problems, and the overall impact on your quality of life.
- Lost wages: If your injuries kept you from working for a period of time, you may be entitled to recover the income you missed while recovering.
- Loss of future earning potential: If your injuries prevent you from going back to your previous job (or from working at all), you may be able to claim compensation for the income you would have earned in the future.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: This includes the loss of ability to participate in hobbies, recreational activities, or day-to-day routines that you once enjoyed before the accident.
- Scarring or disfigurement: If the accident caused permanent scars, burns, or other visible injuries, you may be able to recover damages for the physical and emotional impact of these lasting changes.
At Galloway Jefcoat, we have years of experience evaluating pedestrian accident cases. Our legal team knows how to calculate the true value of your claim and fights to recover the full amount you’re owed. We’re here to handle the legal process so you can focus on healing.
"As a client of Galloway Jefcoat for over two years I want to take a minute to say how much I appreciate the team handling my case."
What if the Insurance Company Offers Me a Quick Settlement?
Insurance companies commonly present injured victims with an early settlement offer. However, this offer is unlikely to be in your best interests. The reason you are getting it at all is to help the insurance company avoid paying a full and fair settlement for your damages.
The initial offer is going to be much lower than the value of your claim. Learn more about what happens when you reject a car insurance settlement offer in Lafayette. If you can answer yes to any of these questions, the full value of your claim is not yet known:
- Are you still getting treated for any of your injuries?
- Do you have prescription medications you need to take for ongoing pain management?
- Are you undergoing physical therapy to help you rebuild and regain strength in the injured area?
- Do you need emotional counseling to help you deal with the aftermath of being hit by a car?
- Do you have any scarring, disfigurement, or reduced mobility issues?
- Are you suffering from ongoing/chronic pain?
- Are you still out of work and recovering from your injuries?
Until you reach maximum medical improvement, the full value of your claim cannot be calculated. If you accept an offer early, you cannot seek further compensation from the at-fault party.
It could also leave you paying for the remainder of your damages out of pocket. You can protect your interests by speaking to a personal injury attorney before accepting any offers.
Tactics Insurance Adjusters Use to Devalue Claims
After an accident, insurance adjusters may seem friendly or helpful, but their goal is to save the insurance company money. One way they do this is by trying to reduce the value of your claim.
Here are some common tactics they use:
- Presenting quick settlement offers: They may offer you money right away before you fully understand your injuries or costs. These early offers are often much lower than what your claim is actually worth.
- Downplaying injuries: Adjusters may suggest that your injuries aren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident. They may even ask you leading questions to make it seem like you’re not hurt.
- Asking for recorded statements: They may pressure you to give a recorded statement. These statements can be used against you later, especially if you say something that could be twisted to hurt your case.
- Delaying the process: Some adjusters stall by requesting unnecessary paperwork or taking a long time to respond. This can pressure you to accept a lower offer out of frustration or financial need.
These tactics are common, but you don’t have to deal with them alone. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights and make sure you receive full and fair compensation.
"Great experience, from day 1 I felt like I finally had someone on my side and that feeling didn't leave me for 1 single moment."
Why Call a Lafayette Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for Help?
Calling an attorney sooner rather than later helps to ensure your legal interests are protected from day one. Once you hire an attorney from our team, we can:
- Investigate the crash scene.
- Gain access to evidence before it gets lost or destroyed.
- Speak to witnesses while their memories about what happened are still fresh.
- Guide you throughout the legal process to help you avoid common mistakes that can hurt your claim.
- Dispute unfair blame the insurance company may try to shift to you.
- Accurately calculate the full value of your claim for compensation.
- Negotiate a full and fair settlement with the defendant’s attorney and the liable insurance company.
- Represent you if a settlement cannot be reached and your case ends up in court.
- Communicate with you throughout the legal process, keeping you fully informed about your case.
- Make it possible for you to focus fully on your health.
Handling a legal case in Louisiana is complicated, which is why pedestrian accident victims benefit from having an attorney manage their case. The defendant is sure to have legal representation to protect the insurance company’s interests.
Statistics show that plaintiffs (injury victims) who hire an attorney often recover significantly more compensation than those who do not. Our goal is the same as yours: to recover full and fair compensation for the damages caused by the at-fault party.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
You have a limited time to take legal action. Under La. Civ. Code Art. 3493.1, you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
If you wait too long to file, your attorney will not have enough time to build a strong case on your behalf. Additionally, a lot of vital evidence can be lost over the days, weeks, and months following your initial injury.
Who May Be at Fault for Causing a Pedestrian vs. a Motor Vehicle Crash?
Pedestrian accidents are almost always caused by someone’s negligence. In most cases, the driver is the one at fault for hitting or running over a pedestrian. This can happen because of speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield, or ignoring traffic signals.
However, drivers are not the only ones who may be responsible. In some cases, other parties may share the blame, or even be fully liable, for the crash. For example:
- Vehicle manufacturers: If a defect, such as faulty brakes, steering issues, or unintended acceleration, made it impossible for the driver to avoid the collision
- Auto repair shops: If they knowingly installed defective parts or failed to fix a serious problem, like worn brakes or a malfunctioning steering system
- State or local governments: If the crash was caused by poor road design, lack of crosswalks or signage, broken traffic signals, or poorly maintained streets and sidewalks
- Construction companies: If road work zones lacked proper warnings, signs, or safe walkways for pedestrians, leading to confusion or danger
- Property owners: If the accident occurred on or near private property and unsafe conditions (like blocked sidewalks or poor lighting) contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian accidents are complicated, and it’s important to investigate all possible causes to determine who should be held accountable.
Can a Pedestrian Ever Be at Fault for Causing an Accident?
While pedestrians are not usually blamed if they get hit by a car, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will be looking for reasons to limit its liability. Often, these attempts to shift blame can be disputed by your Lafayette pedestrian accident attorney.
There are, however, some valid reasons a pedestrian could be assessed with at least partial fault for a pedestrian vs. motor vehicle accident. For instance, a pedestrian may be liable if they darted out suddenly from between cars without checking for traffic.
In that situation, it could be very difficult for a driver to stop in time, even if they were paying attention.
What Types of Injuries Do Pedestrians Suffer After Being Hit by a Car?
Injuries could be minor, catastrophic, or even fatal. It depends on how fast the driver was going and at what angle the pedestrian was hit. Some of the most common injuries pedestrians may suffer after an accident with a motor vehicle include:
- Broken limbs
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Mild to severe road rash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial, jaw, or dental injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Other head or neck injuries
Pedestrians who suffer severe or catastrophic injuries have a long road to recovery ahead of them. In many cases, these victims may not fully return to their former physical health.
Some pedestrian crash victims may become paralyzed, suffer from chronic pain, and have reduced mobility. Many others will be unable to return to work for a long time, if at all.
How Can Pedestrians Avoid Being Hit by a Car?
Pedestrians owe a duty of care, just as drivers do. This means acting in a reasonable way that helps to prevent injury to yourself and to others, which could include:
- Checking for traffic before stepping onto the road, even in crosswalks
- Wearing clothing that reflects light to help drivers see you sooner, especially when visibility is poor
- Being proactive about safely crossing roads, even though you have the right of way
- Not walking while intoxicated, as you might be more reckless or forget to check for traffic
- Avoiding jaywalking whenever possible
What Should I Do First After Getting Hit By a Car in Lafayette?
The first thing you should do after being hit by a car is check yourself for injuries. If you are in the street and can move, get out of the way of traffic immediately. You should then call 9-1-1, regardless of whether you think you have suffered any injuries.
After being hit by a car, your body is likely to be in shock. You could be seriously hurt, even if you are not aware of any pain. To rule out any possible internal injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury or internal organ damage, you need diagnostic testing and a medical examination. Also, refusing medical treatment could hurt your claim for compensation.
Here are some additional first steps you should take after being hit by a car:
- Use your smartphone to capture photos of the accident scene, the vehicle, and your injuries.
- Look around for witnesses who may have seen the crash and ask for contact details.
- Seek immediate medical attention at a nearby hospital; your health is your priority.
- Contact a family member.
- Call a pedestrian accident attorney in Lafayette.
You should never risk your safety or anyone else’s to gather evidence or take photos after an accident.
Call Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Lafayette for Legal Help
Galloway Jefcoat is dedicated to helping victims injured by the negligence of others, including pedestrians hit by reckless or careless drivers. We offer a free initial consultation to determine whether you may have legal options.
We accept pedestrian accident cases on contingency, which means there are no out-of-pocket costs for you. We only get paid if you do. Contact our team today to get on the path to financial justice after your accident.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."
