Are Injured Pedestrians Able to Claim for Compensation?

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If you are a driver or passenger in a car that is hit by another vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation through the insurance company linked to the other driver. After all, vehicle owners are required to have third-party insurance by law for just this situation. But what happens if you were hit by a vehicle while simply walking along a pavement? Are you entitled to compensation as well, and what happens if the motorist fails to stop?

Significant Consequences

Clearly, a pedestrian is far more vulnerable to injury in such a situation than the driver or occupant of a vehicle. Such an incident can lead to a traumatic injury that can often have psychological impacts as well.

Third-Party Insurance

The good news in this situation is that you can certainly make a claim against the driver's third-party insurance policy. In fact, you may even be able to make such a claim if you were partly at fault anyway. For example, if you were hit by a vehicle having briefly stepped into the roadway to pass someone else on the pavement, you may be able to seek compensation.

Other Schemes

Support may also be available if the driver remains unknown, as might be the case following a hit and run. If there were no CCTV cameras in the area and no other witnesses, you might yet be able to get compensation through a government scheme. This type of scheme can also help with catastrophic injuries that may need long-term support or care.

Assessing Your Costs

Compensation claims can be quite complex. You need to take into account all of the repercussions linked to the accident, including any immediate hospital or medical expenditure. For example, if you have a long rehabilitation ahead, that can lead to costs. You may need to bring in some domestic support or suffer economic losses if you are unable to work. You may also be able to claim for pain and suffering and should not forget the legal costs that you may need to incur to pursue the actual claim.

Legal Support

While an insurance company may be ultimately responsible, they may not always be quick to agree. Sometimes, they may even dispute the facts and question your costs. For these and other reasons, you may need to seek some help from a specialist compensation lawyer who can help you pursue a claim for personal injury.

For more information, contact a personal injury lawyer near you.


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