What to Expect From a Pedestrian Accident Settlement
February 28, 2018

Pedestrian accidents are some of the most catastrophic on Arizona’s roadways. When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the latter can suffer broken bones, head and brain injuries, spine injuries, and many other types of harms. A pedestrian might never be the same after a vehicle collision, or might not survive at all.

The Arizona civil justice system allows pedestrian accident victims and their family members to seek damage recovery from the at-fault driver. Financial recovery can be immense depending on the severity of the accident and injuries. The following are certain types of compensation one might expect in a pedestrian accident settlement, and the potential value of a claim.

Economic Damages

Almost all pedestrian accident claims will end in compensation for economic damages suffered in the collision. Economic damages describe the financial losses relating to the accident and subsequent injuries. The most common economic damage is medical bills. An injured pedestrian can file a claim requesting reimbursement for past and future hospital bills, the costs of physical rehabilitation, surgeries, medications, live-in care, medical devices, and other medical costs relating to the injuries. Since pedestrians often suffer serious injuries in these collisions, medical costs can be immense.

Another potential economic damage is lost wages, or the amount of money lost from having to miss work because of an injury. Lost wages can also encompass lost capacity to earn if the injuries result in a temporary or permanent disability. If a pedestrian has medical insurance, this will cover at least the initial costs of treating accident-related injuries. The pedestrian could also seek financial compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, taking the claim to court often results in greater compensation than settling with an insurer.

Non-Economic Damages

Pedestrian accidents can result in a great deal of pain and suffering, as well as mental anguish for living through such a traumatic event. Physical pain and emotional suffering are non-economic losses for which it can be difficult to assign a monetary value. The severity of most pedestrian collisions often results in thousands of dollars’ worth of pain and suffering damages – especially if the victim has post-traumatic stress disorder, a brain injury, or chronic pain.

To calculate these damages, a jury will typically multiply the number of economic damages by a number (from one to five) that represents the severity of the victim’s pain and suffering. Seeking pain and suffering damages is the main reason to file a lawsuit instead of simply settling with an insurance company, as an insurer will not offer an award for this type of loss.

Other Information About Pedestrian Accident Settlements

To learn the potential value of your pedestrian accident claim, you will need to discuss your individual case with a Phoenix injury attorney. You can, however, estimate what your case might be worth by looking at the severity of your injuries, the amount of missed time at work, the nature of medical treatment, the impact of your injuries on your daily life, prospects for recovery, and presence of your own fault for the accident. The more serious your injuries, the more your claim is likely worth.

After you file a claim with an insurance company, the insurer might offer a settlement to cover your financial losses. Know that the initial settlement offer will typically be less than what you could get with help from a lawyer, or with a personal injury claim in Arizona. Always talk to a personal injury attorney after suffering injuries in a pedestrian collision. These are serious accidents that deserve attention from knowledgeable legal professionals. A lawyer can answer your questions about a settlement, and help you get the most for your claim.