When an automobile hits a pedestrian, that same pedestrian has slight chance of escaping without any injury. Still, a long list of factors determines the value of the walking victim’s injury.
Factors considered by the insurance company of the responsible driver
• The severity of the pedestrian’s injuries
• The amount of work missed by the hit walker, following the accident
• The impact of the walker’s injuries on his or her life
• The prospects for the walker’s recovery
• Information that is supposed to show clearly that the driver was responsible for occurrence of the incident (This assumes that the driver’s identity is known.)
• The nature of any opportunity that was lost by the injured pedestrian
Personal Injury Lawyer in St Thomas knows that any information that indicates that the pedestrian’s injury has caused him or her to become deprived of the skills required for pursuing an opportunity to earn a living
A possible added factor
It could be that the person that hit the pedestrian then drove off, and did not stop to see what had happened to the impacted walker. If that were the case, then the injured party is expected to help the police locate the responsible party.
The insured party must offer evidence of an attempt to locate the responsible party, even if the plaintiff’s search fails to aid identification and location of the responsible driver. Sometimes that evidence can take the form of online content. For example, the injured pedestrian might arrange to have a tape made of the area where the incident took place. The tape could be sent in an email, or it could be included in material that got posted on a specific website. In the latter case, the website should also give the time and date for the injury-causing incident.
Steps to be taken by a pedestrian that is seeking compensation for injuries
Submit a claim to the insurance company of the responsible driver. Stand prepared to deal with different adjusters. Not all adjusters take the same approach to investigating a claim.
Learn about the formula used by insurance companies, when calculating an injury’s value. Most insurers multiply the total of the medical expenses and a number between 1.5 and 5. That number reflects the severity of the walker’s injuries. Some insurers use a daily rate.
Stand ready to take part in negotiations. During those negotiations, keep in mind the list of factors that must be considered, when determining the value of the injury caused by the negligent driver. If you have any pictures of your injuries, use them at this time. Pictures can be used for emotional impact. It helps to work on the adjuster’s emotions. Emotional issues can be mentioned during ongoing negotiations, but not during a court trial.