According to MS New Now, a student at Jackson State was hurt when a car struck her while she was walking on campus. The pedestrian accident occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. on a Tuesday earlier this month.
The school’s PR department reported that the student was responsive after the collision. Responders brought her to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for treatment.
Authorities determined that the motorist who struck the woman was another student. Campus police have ruled the incident as an accident.
If you were hurt in a pedestrian crash with a distracted driver, contact Heilman Law Group. You may be entitled to compensation for hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. Call 601-914-1025 to schedule a case evaluation with a car accident attorney in Jackson.
What Should You Do Following a Pedestrian Collision?
If you sustain injuries in a pedestrian accident, there are steps you need to take before even leaving the scene to protect your best interests later, during the claims process. There are also tasks to complete in the days and weeks following the incident to ensure you have everything needed to file a successful lawsuit.
In order to protect yourself and ultimately negotiate for a settlement that will cover all of the damages you have incurred as a result of the crash, you must:
- Move a safe distance from the flow of traffic if you are physically able to do so;
- Call the police;
- Ask the driver to stay until authorities arrive, even if you feel fine;
- Ask any witnesses to stay until the police arrive so they can provide a statement;
- Photograph the scene;
- Get the motorist’s contact and insurance information;
- Give the police a statement and obtain a copy of the police report;
- Seek medical attention; and
- Call an attorney.
What Kinds of Damages Can You Recover Following a Pedestrian Collision?
It is not uncommon to sustain severe injuries in a pedestrian accident because people on foot have no protection against the force of impact from a motor vehicle. If you were hurt so badly that you must miss work in order to recover, it is natural to worry about your financial security.
Fortunately, you can include lost wages in the settlement calculations. Other damages to take into account when determining a fair compensation amount include:
- Medical bills and ambulance fees;
- Home care costs;
- Rehabilitation costs;
- Vocational training;
- Lost earning capacity;
- Emotional distress; and
- Pain and suffering.
Some of these damages, like medical bills and rehabilitation costs, are fairly easy to track. Calculating the non-economic damages like pain and suffering, on the other hand, is more challenging. This is where a Jackson car accident lawyer can assist you.
If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident and you need help negotiating for a fair settlement, contact Heilman Law Group. A compassionate attorney on our team will guide you through the claims process so you can focus on your health.
Call 601-914-1025 to schedule a consultation. You can learn more about car accident claims in Mississippi by visiting the USAttorneys website.
