Meredith was crossing the street to reach her downtown workplace when she was hit by a truck in Longview, TX. She crossed at a crosswalk, but the delivery driver said he didn’t see her. Someone called EMS and an ambulance took her to the Christus Good Shepherd emergency room, where she received treatment for a broken arm, broken collarbone, head injury and multiple contusions.
Her husband Ronnie called us a short time later because he was concerned and he had a lot of questions. His wife needed to take several days off work, maybe longer. She was in pain mentally and physically. We sat down with Meredith and Ronnie and answered their questions about what to expect when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle in Texas and wonders whether it’s time to file a personal injury lawsuit.
How Much is a Personal Injury Lawsuit Worth?
In Texas, there isn’t a cap on how much victims can sue for in pedestrian accident cases. Every claim is different. Monsour Law Firm attorneys can help you evaluate what you might ask for depending on a number of factors that include how badly you were injured, what treatment will cost, how the accident occurred, the non-economic damages you incurred, and other circumstances.
Extent of Injuries
In Meredith’s case she had broken bones, a head injury, and extensive bruising. She was young and in excellent health, so doctors expected her broken arm and broken collarbone to heal in a matter of months. However, in the days after her accident she also started experiencing lower back pain.
She required extensive testing, and then her doctor recommended cortisol injections, followed by a neurotomy. That meant more time off work, more pain, more medical bills. Eventually she reached maximum medical improvement (the point at which she was as healthy as she was going to get), but there was a possibility she could require back surgery in the years to come.
She went from being a pain-free 25 year old with no physical impairments to someone with restricted mobility and a future that could include additional pain. Her settlement will be based on the extent of her injuries.
Cost of Treatment
For Meredith and Ronnie, their compensation should include reimbursement for everything they spent on doctor bills as a result of the accident. Meredith’s ER visit, medication, physical therapy, follow up visits, medical scans and testing, and all other accident-related treatment should be included in her case value.
When a Pedestrian Struck By a Vehicle Experiences Loss of Income
Meredith couldn’t work for over a week after the accident, then she had to take additional time off for follow-up visits. Her employer was understanding, but she lost income every time she couldn’t work. She also knew she might have to take an unknown amount of time off in the future if she needed back surgery. All that factors in to the value of her pedestrian personal injury case.
Non-Economic Damages for Pedestrian Personal Injury
One of the most difficult aspects of Meredith’s pedestrian accident recovery wasn’t physical, it was mental. She wanted to go back to work, but she experienced a surge of anxiety every time she pictured walking into her office. Ronnie had to accompany her the first day back. When she looked at her building and the traffic passing in front of it, her heart started pounding, she broke into a sweat, and she felt nauseous.
She almost couldn’t make herself get out of the vehicle to go to work. As soon as she did, she experienced flashbacks of what happened the day of her accident. She hoped it was a one-time thing, but the panic attacks didn’t diminish with time. She entered therapy to help her cope, but she deserves compensation for what she experienced.
Non-economic damages in cases where a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle could include things like mental anguish, reduced quality of life, loss of consortium, physical pain and suffering, or physical impairment.
Choosing the Right Texas Pedestrian Accident Attorney
When you’re trying to recover from a pedestrian accident that never should have happened in the first place, it can be hard to know what to do. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you communicate with the vehicle driver’s insurance company, track medical expenses, file and manage legal correspondence, conduct a formal investigation and negotiate a fair settlement. Contact Monsour Law Firm and schedule a free consultation today.
