Scottsdale pedestrian Accident Attorney

Scottsdale is a busy metropolitan area of Arizona, and many pedestrians navigate it every day without issue. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents can and do happen for a variety of causes, often with devastating effects on the pedestrians involved. Whenever a motor vehicle driver hits a pedestrian, they are likely to cause catastrophic injuries or even fatal injuries. When victims survive, they typically face a wide range of economic losses and the pain and suffering caused by their injuries. When they do not, their surviving loved ones are left to pursue legal recourse on their behalf.

Luis P. Guerra, LLC, offers client-focused and compassionate legal counsel for pedestrian accident claims. Our firm has represented many Scottsdale area clients in their civil suits, and we make an effort to develop individualized legal strategies in all cases we accept. When you choose our firm to represent you in your recovery efforts after a damaging pedestrian accident, you will instantly have a reliable and trustworthy legal advocate ready to answer your questions and address your concerns as they arise throughout your case.

Any motor vehicle accident can be a life-altering experience, but accidents involving pedestrians struck by vehicles tend to be extraordinarily damaging. These accidents most commonly occur due to the following:

• Inattentive drivers. Distracted driving is the most commonly cited cause of all motor vehicle accidents throughout the United States each year, and inattentive drivers can easily inflict devastating injuries on pedestrians. An experienced Scottsdale pedestrian accident attorney can help their client gather the evidence needed to prove an at-fault driver was distracted behind the wheel, such as traffic camera footage or cell phone records.
• Speeding. Any time a driver speeds, they inherently increase their risk of having an accident. Speeding reduces the time and distance a driver has to slow down or stop in time to avoid a crash. Speeding is particularly dangerous for pedestrians as accidents that occur at higher speeds have much higher chances of causing severe or fatal injuries.
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, which is illegal and extremely dangerous. Consumption of illicit substances can reduce reaction time, impair judgment, and disrupt spatial awareness, significantly increasing the chances of the impaired driver causing an accident. A DUI driver who hits a pedestrian is likely to face a felony charge for causing a DUI accident with injury.
• Poor visibility. Drivers must exercise extra caution any time visibility is restricted by low light, severe weather, or heavy traffic congestion. Pedestrians are especially vulnerable to being struck by drivers in any conditions that impede drivers’ visibility.

These are only a few examples of how pedestrian accidents might occur. If you believe any other party is liable for your recent pedestrian accident in Scottsdale, you must identify the party or parties responsible for causing the accident and prove their actions directly resulted in your damages.

A personal injury claim has the goal of making the plaintiff “whole” again by securing compensation for their damages. State law permits the plaintiff in any personal injury claim to seek full compensation for all the financial losses the defendant caused them to suffer. In most personal injury claims, the plaintiff’s economic damages are likely to include:

• Property losses. If the defendant damages the victim’s home, vehicle, or any other personal property, the plaintiff is legally allowed to seek complete repayment through their personal injury claim.
• Medical expenses. Most pedestrian accident claims involve extreme injuries, some of which may demand extensive ongoing treatment. The defendant is liable for any and all medical expenses they cause the plaintiff to incur, including the costs associated with ongoing rehabilitation and other long-term medical treatments.
• Lost income. The victim of a pedestrian accident is unlikely to be able to work until they recover from their injuries, and it’s possible for this type of severe accident to cause permanent harm that diminishes their ability to work in the future. The plaintiff has the legal right to seek compensation for both lost wages and lost future earning potential in their personal injury claim.

Aside from these economic damages, a plaintiff in a Scottsdale pedestrian accident case may also seek compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced. There is no strict method used to calculate pain and suffering compensation for a personal injury plaintiff in Arizona. If the plaintiff has suffered catastrophic injuries resulting in permanent disability, their attorney is likely to use the multiplier method to calculate pain and suffering. This involves multiplying the plaintiff’s total economic losses by a factor representing the severity of their medical status after the accident. Alternatively, the attorney may aim for a per diem pain and suffering settlement that awards compensation every day until the victim reaches maximum medical improvement.

Luis P. Guerra, LLC, aims to maximize our client’s final case award through every available channel of recovery in every case we accept. Our team has the resources necessary to resolve the most complex civil claims for damages, and we take time to develop individualized legal counsel for every client we represent.

One important legal mechanism that often comes into play in Scottsdale pedestrian accident cases is the modified comparative fault law. Under this rule, a plaintiff may still recover compensation for their damages if they are partially to blame for causing those damages. However, they must bear less than 50% fault for the incident in question.

If a pedestrian jaywalks, or crosses a street outside of the crosswalk, they are likely to face a measure of comparative fault for their resulting damages. While a driver is always expected to yield the right of way to pedestrians and has a higher duty of care to prevent pedestrian accidents, the driver cannot be held completely at fault if the pedestrian walked directly in front of them unexpectedly. If you have any reason to suspect that comparative fault may arise in your impending pedestrian accident case, it is crucial to find an experienced Scottsdale pedestrian accident attorney who can help you prove the truth of the matter and ensure your ability to recover your damages.

Q: How Much Does a Scottsdale Pedestrian Accident Attorney Charge?

A: Most personal injury attorneys in Arizona recognize that the average pedestrian accident victim does not have the financial flexibility to afford expensive hourly attorneys’ fees while also managing the economic aftermath of their accident. Our team accepts most personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only take a fee once we win the client’s case, and their fee is a predetermined percentage of their final case award.

Q: How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take to Settle in Scottsdale?

A: Most personal injury claims filed in Arizona end in private settlement negotiations. This saves both the plaintiff and the defendant time and money that would otherwise be spent on protracted litigation. However, settlement requires the defendant to accept responsibility for their actions and for both parties to be willing to compromise. If the defendant’s fault is clear and you have an experienced attorney representing you, settlement may only take a few weeks.

Q: How Soon Should I Hire a Scottsdale Pedestrian Accident Attorney After an Accident?

A: Your medical needs are your primary concern after any accident, but once you have received treatment and are able to do so safely, you should connect with a Scottsdale pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. The more time your legal team has to prepare your case, the more likely you are to reach the best possible outcome for your recovery efforts.

Q: How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth?

A: The exact value of any personal injury case fluctuates based on multiple factors. The scope of your injuries and the extent of the associated economic losses will form the foundation of your personal injury claim. State law also allows the plaintiff in a personal injury case to seek compensation for their pain and suffering, and there is no limit on the amount the plaintiff can seek. Speak with an experienced Scottsdale pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible for an informed approximation of your claim’s total potential value.

Q: Is Hiring a Scottsdale Pedestrian Accident Attorney Worth it for My Case?

A: It is always worth investing in experienced and trustworthy legal counsel when you are facing any type of civil suit for damages. The right attorney can not only make your case easier to understand and streamline your proceedings, but they can also expose avenues of recovery you may not have known were available to you. Ultimately, even after factoring in the cost of their legal representation, your attorney can make a tremendous positive impact on the outcome of your case.

Luis P. Guerra, LLC, offers extensive personal injury representation for a wide range of cases, including those involving pedestrians injured by motor vehicle drivers. These cases tend to involve extreme injuries and extensive financial losses, so it’s best to consult experienced legal counsel you can trust for the best chances of success with your recovery efforts. Contact Luis P. Guerra, LLC, today and schedule your consultation with our team to learn more about the legal services we offer.