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As a pedestrian, you have the right to feel safe while walking on sidewalks, crossing streets, and navigating your community. However, when negligent drivers fail to respect pedestrians’ rights and cause accidents, the consequences can be devastating. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident in Omaha, you may feel overwhelmed, confused, and unsure about your legal options.
Mueller Schmidt Mulholland & Cooling has over 56 years of combined experience advocating for the rights of injured individuals, including pedestrians hurt by negligent motorists. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to learn more about how we can help you seek compensation for your injuries.
The Risks Pedestrians Face on the Road
Pedestrians face numerous dangers when sharing space with motor vehicles. Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way at crosswalks or intersections
- Disregarding traffic signals or stop signs
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Poorly designed or maintained roads and walkways
- Inadequate lighting or visibility
These factors can lead to life-altering collisions that leave pedestrians with severe injuries and long-term consequences.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, primarily due to the lack of protection pedestrians have compared to occupants of motor vehicles. Some common injuries pedestrians suffer include:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Back and spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue damage
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Crush injuries
- Limb loss or disfigurement
- Psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
These injuries might necessitate extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. This imposes a significant physical, emotional, and financial burden on victims and their families. An experienced Omaha pedestrian accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation required to cover your expenses and rebuild your life.
Establishing Liability in Pedestrian Accident Cases
To obtain compensation for your injuries and losses, you must demonstrate that someone else’s negligence caused your accident. An Omaha pedestrian accident lawyer will investigate the accident by gathering evidence to build a strong case on your behalf. They will:
- Review police reports and evidence from the accident scene
- Secure statements from any eyewitnesses
- Analyze any available video footage, such as traffic camera recordings or surveillance videos
- Consult with accident reconstruction specialists to determine the cause of the collision
- Investigate the at-fault driver’s background, including their driving record and any prior violations
Your lawyer will use this evidence to construct a compelling argument and prove the other party’s negligence.
Understanding Nebraska’s Pedestrian Laws
Nebraska law grants pedestrians certain rights and protections when using public roads and walkways. Some key aspects of Nebraska’s pedestrian laws include:
- Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at marked crosswalks and intersections
- Pedestrians must obey traffic signals and use designated crosswalks when available
- Drivers must exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, even if the pedestrian is not in a marked crosswalk
- Pedestrians must use sidewalks when available and walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic, when sidewalks are not present
If a driver violates these laws and causes an accident, they can be held liable for the resulting injuries and losses. Your Omaha pedestrian accident lawyer will leverage their knowledge of Nebraska’s laws to strengthen your case and protect your rights.
Seeking Compensation for Your Losses
If a pedestrian accident injured you or a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including:
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
Your pedestrian accident attorney will carefully assess your losses, calculate a fair amount of compensation to pursue, and negotiate with insurers and other parties to recover it.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Soon after a pedestrian accident, you may hear from an adjuster representing the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They may ask you to provide a recorded statement regarding the accident and offer to settle your claim quickly. Neither of these is in your best interest.
Insurance adjusters may be kind and sympathetic on the phone, but remember their job is to minimize payouts. They aren’t looking to help you secure the full compensation you deserve, and anything you say to them could jeopardize your claim.
For these reasons, you must contact an attorney before sharing anything other than the most essential facts with an insurance company. Your lawyer can take over communications with insurers and safeguard your rights.
How an Omaha Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Mueller Schmidt Mulholland & Cooling Can Assist You
At Mueller Schmidt Mulholland & Cooling, we understand the severe challenges faced by victims of pedestrian accidents. We will bring our compassion and skills to the fight for the compensation you deserve after a devastating pedestrian accident. When you choose us to represent you, we will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation of your accident to establish liability
- Advocate aggressively to hold the negligent parties accountable
- Calculate your losses to make sure we seek fair compensation
- Provide personalized attention and support throughout the legal process
- Commit our team and resources to fighting for your rights
Every pedestrian accident case is different. That’s why we customize our approach to meet your specific needs and goals. Our attorneys will collaborate closely with you to craft a solid legal strategy and seek the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
A pedestrian accident can leave you facing physical, emotional, and financial challenges, but remember that you don’t have to face this difficult situation alone. An Omaha pedestrian accident lawyer can provide the guidance and representation you need to seek justice and secure compensation for your injuries and losses.
At Mueller Schmidt Mulholland & Cooling, our attorneys have the knowledge, skills, and dedication to advocate for your rights and protect your interests at every stage. We provide free initial consultations to discuss your case and examine your legal options, and we never charge a fee unless we recover compensation.
Contact us today at (555) 555-5555 to schedule your consultation and find out how we can help you address the aftermath of your pedestrian accident and hold the negligent driver accountable.