Lafayette Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Lafayette, LA

A stroll through Lafayette shouldn’t end in disaster, but careless drivers, distracted motorists, and unsafe road conditions put pedestrians at risk every day. If you’ve been hit while walking, you may be facing serious injuries, medical bills, and uncertainty about what to do next, but a Lafayette pedestrian accident lawyer can help you fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.

Pedestrian accidents can result in serious, life-changing injuries, and the road to recovery can be long and hard. That’s where the skilled personal injury lawyer at Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer steps in. We’re here to help you navigate through this challenging process and pursue justice. As a local attorney in Lafayette, Chris understands the complexities of Louisiana’s traffic laws, Lafayette’s local court system, and the difficulties you face after an accident.

Top Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents is driving while distracted. Phones can pull focus from the road. A driver who looks down, even for a second, can miss someone crossing. Distraction delays reaction times. That short delay can result in a crash. In many pedestrian cases, the crash report or phone records show that a driver wasn’t paying attention. This type of negligence can make a strong foundation for a claim.

Alcohol and drugs slow down thinking and reaction. They also lower judgment. An impaired driver might miss a stop sign or swerve. These crashes often lead to serious injuries because the driver never tries to stop.

Lafayette allows criminal charges and civil claims in these cases. Even if the driver faces jail time, the injured pedestrian still must file a separate claim to seek compensation. Evidence from the criminal case could help support the civil claim.

Road Conditions

Rain makes roads slick and can lower visibility. Drivers should slow down and use lights in poor conditions. Failing to do that raises the risk of a crash. Pedestrians become harder to see, but that doesn’t remove the driver’s responsibility. Many drivers treat bad weather like a minor problem. That attitude can lead to tragedy. The weather itself doesn’t excuse carelessness.

Speeding makes crashes worse. The faster a car moves, the longer it takes to stop. At high speeds, a driver may not have time to see a person step onto the road. And when a car hits someone at a higher speed, the injuries tend to be more serious.

Police reports often include how fast the car was going. Damage patterns can help show whether the driver was speeding. Proving this helps build the case for damages.

Types of Pedestrian Accidents

Lafayette is a bustling city, and with increased foot traffic, pedestrian accidents are a growing concern. Major roads like Johnston Street, Kaliste Saloom Road, and Ambassador Caffery Parkway are common accident hotspots, as these areas are known for high traffic volume, frequent construction zones, and distractions for both drivers and pedestrians.

Many different types of pedestrian accidents occur in Lafayette, but some of the most common include:

1. Crosswalk Accidents: A significant number of pedestrian accidents happen on crosswalks. Drivers may fail to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, leading to a car accident in Lafayette, or the pedestrian may be struck while walking through the crosswalk, even when they have the right of way.
2. Mid-block Accidents: Sometimes, pedestrians may need to cross streets outside of a crosswalk, especially in areas where they feel it’s the most convenient or safe. Unfortunately, this is risky, as drivers may not expect pedestrians to cross outside of designated crossings, leading to dangerous collisions.
3. Jaywalking Accidents: While jaywalking is illegal, that doesn’t always mean the pedestrian is fully responsible for an accident. Even if the pedestrian wasn’t following the law, the driver’s failure to exercise caution could still contribute to the accident.
4. Parking Lot Accidents: Parking lots, especially those around popular shopping areas in Lafayette, can be dangerous for pedestrians. Drivers may not pay enough attention in these areas, leading to accidents when pedestrians walk between parked cars or in unmarked spaces.
5. Hit-and-Run Accidents: Some drivers involved in pedestrian accidents flee the scene, leaving the injured pedestrian without a means of identifying the responsible party. Hit-and-run accidents require diligent investigation to track down the at-fault driver.

Whether the accident happened at a crosswalk, in a parking lot, slip and fall, or as a hit-and-run, the consequences can be very serious. No matter the circumstances, seeking legal guidance from Lafayette pedestrian accident lawyer Chris Villemarette can make a significant difference when pursuing justice and securing the compensation you need for recovery.

Who Is Responsible for Pedestrian Accidents?

Responsibility in a pedestrian accident depends on who failed to follow traffic laws. Drivers have a duty to yield to people on foot in crosswalks. They need to stay alert in areas with high foot traffic. When a driver ignores the rules, the driver can be held liable if someone gets hurt. Pedestrians accounted for 17.7% of traffic deaths in 2022.

However, fault isn’t always one-sided. Sometimes, pedestrians cross where they shouldn’t or walk into traffic without looking. In 2022, 76% of pedestrian fatalities happened at a non-intersection. In cases where someone is only injured, fault may be shared.

In some accidents, fault is less obvious. About 75% of pedestrian fatalities happened at night in 2022. A city or property owner might carry some responsibility if a lack of lighting played a role. Every detail counts when sorting out liability.

What If a Pedestrian Shares the Blame?

In Lafayette, a pedestrian who holds some blame still has the right to file a claim. Louisiana uses what is called comparative fault. This means that even a person who is considered most at fault can still try to recover compensation.

Say a pedestrian was distracted or crossed outside a marked crosswalk. If a driver hits them, the court might assign some of the blame to the pedestrian. If the total damages were $100,000 and the pedestrian was 30% at fault, they could receive $70,000.

This rule doesn’t excuse reckless driving. Shared fault can make a case more complex. Pedestrians should be ready to defend their actions.

Compensation for Lafayette Pedestrian Accident Victims

If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be eligible to collect various types of compensation to help you recover.

The compensation you can receive depends on the severity of the accident and the injuries you sustained, but some of the potential damages include:

• Medical Expenses: Pedestrian accidents can lead to substantial medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatments.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be eligible to request compensation for the wages you lost as a result of the accident.
• Pain and Suffering: Injuries from a pedestrian accident often result in emotional and physical pain. Louisiana law allows victims to pursue compensation for their pain and suffering.
• Property Damage: If your personal belongings were damaged in the accident, you might be able to recover the cost of repairs or replacement.

It’s important to note that every case is different, and the amount and scope of compensation available depends on the facts of the case. At Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, we can assess your situation and help you understand your legal options.

How A Lafayette Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help

When you choose Chris Villemarette as your Lafayette pedestrian accident lawyer, we handle the entire legal process for you.

We can take the following steps toward securing compensation for you:

1. Investigate the accident: We can gather evidence, such as accident reports, witness statements, video footage, and other information, to establish liability and determine who is at fault.
2. Communicate with insurance companies: After an accident, insurance companies often try to settle quickly, sometimes offering less than what you deserve. We can negotiate with insurers on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation.
3. File a claim if necessary: If the responsible party or their insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we can take your case to court and advocate for your rights.
4. Handle all legal matters: From filing paperwork to dealing with medical records, we can manage all the legal details so you can focus on healing.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, there’s no need to face the legal process alone. Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, can fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.

Pedestrian Accident FAQs

Q: Can I File a Claim If a Bicyclist Hit Me Instead of a Car?

A: Yes, if a bicyclist’s negligence caused the bicycle accident, pedestrians can file claims against them. Cyclists must follow traffic laws, and if they are speeding, riding recklessly, or ignoring signals, they may be liable for your injuries. You may be able to recover damages through their insurance, a personal injury claim, or other available legal options.

Q: What If I Contributed to the Pedestrian Accident?

A: Louisiana follows a comparative fault system, meaning you may still be able to recover damages if you share some responsibility for the accident. That said, if you’re partially responsible, then your compensation may be lowered by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you were found to be 25% at fault, your settlement would be reduced by 25%.

Q: Can I Seek Compensation If Poor Sidewalk Conditions Contributed to My Accident?

A: Yes, if a cracked sidewalk, poor lighting, or other hazardous conditions played a role in your accident, you may have a claim against the city or property owner responsible for maintenance. Cases against government entities have different rules and strict deadlines, so contacting a lawyer as quickly as possible is crucial to preserving your right to seek compensation.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Louisiana?

A: Louisiana has a strict two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including pedestrian accidents. If you don’t file within this timeframe, you may lose your right to compensation. Because gathering evidence and negotiating settlements takes time, it’s important to contact a lawyer as quickly as possible to ensure your claim is handled properly.

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Lafayette, don’t wait to seek legal help. Chris Villemarette’s experienced team is ready to fight for your rights and to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation.