Were you injured in a pedestrian accident in Memphis, Tennessee? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact our law office, Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC, at (901) 602-5700 for a free consultation with an experienced Memphis pedestrian accident lawyer.
Pedestrian accidents can cause devastating injuries because people walking have little protection when struck by a vehicle. Victims may face extensive medical treatment, lost wages, and long-term physical limitations. When someone else’s negligence causes an accident, an injured pedestrian may have the right to pursue compensation for these and other losses.
Why Choose Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC for Help After a Pedestrian Accident in Memphis, TN?
After a pedestrian accident in Memphis, TN, having experienced legal representation can make a difference in your case. The Memphis personal injury lawyers at Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC have 50 years of combined experience and have recovered over $100 million in compensation for injured clients.
Pedestrian accident claims can involve severe injuries, disputed liability, and complicated insurance negotiations. Our Memphis pedestrian accident attorneys understand the challenges injured pedestrians face, from mounting medical expenses to uncertainty about their financial future.
Throughout your case, we’ll keep you informed and help you understand your legal options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Is My Tennessee Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
No two pedestrian accident claims have the same value. The potential compensation depends on the seriousness of your injuries, the circumstances of the collision, and the evidence available to support your claim.
Factors that may affect what your pedestrian accident case is worth include:
- The severity of your injuries and whether they cause permanent limitations
- Your expected recovery time and long-term medical outlook
- The strength of the evidence proving another party’s negligence
- Whether you share responsibility for the accident
- The number of parties who may be legally responsible
- The amount of available insurance coverage and other sources of recovery
- The extent to which your medical and financial losses can be documented
- The effect of your injuries on your ability to work and live independently
These factors help determine the potential value of your claim and the amount you may realistically recover. A Memphis pedestrian accident lawyer can evaluate the evidence and explain how Tennessee law may affect your case.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Pedestrian Accident Victims?
If someone else’s negligence caused your pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your resulting injuries and losses. Depending on the circumstances, damages may include economic damages, non-economic damages, and, in limited cases, punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate you for financial losses caused by your pedestrian accident. These losses can often be documented through bills, receipts, employment records, and other financial documents.
Examples include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and employment benefits
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Mobility aids and medical equipment
- Other accident-related out-of-pocket expenses
The amount of economic damages available depends on your documented expenses and reasonably expected future financial losses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the personal effects of your injuries that do not have a specific financial value. These losses may affect your physical health, emotional well-being, and daily life.
Examples include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical limitations caused by permanent impairment
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium, when legally available
The severity of your injuries and their effect on your daily activities can help determine the value of these damages.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be available in limited pedestrian accident cases involving malicious, intentional, fraudulent, or reckless conduct. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are intended to punish wrongdoing and discourage similar behavior.
Punitive damages are not available for ordinary negligence alone. Tennessee generally requires clear and convincing evidence that the defendant’s conduct meets the legal standard for these damages.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Memphis handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you typically pay no upfront attorney’s fees. Instead, your lawyer receives an agreed-upon percentage of the compensation recovered through a settlement or verdict.
If your case does not result in compensation, you generally do not owe attorney’s fees. Any responsibility for additional case expenses will depend on your fee agreement.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Pedestrian Accident in Tennessee?
Yes, potentially. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning you may still recover compensation if you are less than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were found 20% responsible for a pedestrian accident and your damages totaled $100,000, your recovery would generally be reduced to $80,000. If you were 50% or more at fault, you would be barred from recovering compensation.
Insurance companies may argue that a pedestrian was distracted, crossed outside a designated crosswalk, or failed to obey a traffic signal. However, these circumstances do not automatically mean the pedestrian was responsible for the accident. The actions of everyone involved must be considered.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Pedestrian Accident in Memphis?
Liability for a pedestrian accident depends on who caused the collision and whether their negligence contributed to the victim’s injuries. Although drivers are frequently responsible, other parties may share liability.
Potentially liable parties include:
- Negligent drivers who cause pedestrian accidents
- Employers whose employees cause crashes while performing job duties
- Manufacturers of defective vehicles or vehicle components
- Government entities responsible for certain dangerous road conditions
- Property owners or businesses whose negligence contributes to an accident
- Other individuals or companies whose actions contribute to the pedestrian’s injuries
Identifying every responsible party is important because it can affect the compensation available and how your pedestrian accident claim proceeds.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Memphis, TN
Pedestrians have little protection against the force of a moving vehicle. Even collisions at relatively low speeds can cause serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Common pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Crush injuries
- Nerve damage
- Severe cuts and lacerations
- Amputations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
Some pedestrian accident injuries can cause permanent disabilities or require lifelong medical care. Seeking prompt treatment and documenting your recovery can help protect your health and support your personal injury claim.
What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents in Tennessee?
Pedestrian accidents can happen at intersections, crosswalks, parking lots, and other locations where people walking and vehicles share the road. Many of these collisions involve preventable driver errors.
Common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Failure to yield at crosswalks
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Unsafe turns at intersections
- Failing to check blind spots
- Backing up without looking
- Poor visibility or inadequate lighting
- Aggressive or reckless driving
Determining what caused the collision is an important step in establishing liability and pursuing compensation for your injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Pedestrian Accident in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, most pedestrian accident victims have one year to file a personal injury lawsuit under Tenn. Code § 28-3-104. This period generally begins when the claim accrues, often on the accident date.
Certain exceptions may affect the filing deadline. Claims involving government entities may also have special procedures and requirements that must be followed.
Because Tennessee’s filing deadline is relatively short, taking action promptly is important. Our Memphis pedestrian accident lawyers can review your case and help ensure applicable deadlines are met.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Memphis?
The steps you take after a pedestrian accident can affect both your physical recovery and your ability to pursue compensation. Your health and safety should always come first.
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident, consider taking the following steps:
- Call 911 and report the accident
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible
- Obtain the driver’s contact and insurance information
- Take photographs of the accident scene, if possible
- Get contact information from witnesses
- Request a copy of the police accident report
- Keep records of medical treatment and expenses
- Avoid discussing fault with insurance adjusters
- Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations
- Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer
Taking these steps can help preserve important evidence and protect your rights while you recover from your injuries.
How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help
Pedestrian accident claims can involve serious injuries, conflicting accounts of what happened, and disputes with insurance companies. Having an experienced attorney can help you navigate the claims process while focusing on your recovery.
A pedestrian accident attorney in Memphis can help by:
- Investigating how the accident occurred
- Gathering police reports, photographs, and surveillance footage
- Interviewing witnesses
- Reviewing applicable traffic laws
- Identifying potentially liable parties
- Documenting your injuries and financial losses
- Consulting accident reconstruction experts when necessary
- Handling communications with insurance companies
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to trial when necessary
Legal representation can help ensure that your claim accounts for the full impact of your injuries and that insurance companies do not unfairly minimize your losses.
Contact Our Memphis Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
After a pedestrian accident, you may be unsure how to deal with insurance companies, protect your rights, or take the next steps toward recovery. Getting legal guidance early can help you avoid costly mistakes and make informed decisions about your claim.
At Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC, we provide personalized attention and practical guidance throughout the legal process. Our team will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and help you understand what to expect as your case moves forward.
Contact our Memphis pedestrian accident attorneys today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue your claim.
