What Types of Compensation Can a Pedestrian Hit by a Car Receive in Indiana?

After being hit by a car in Indiana, pedestrian victims may be unaware of the compensation they’re entitled to. Generally, compensation breaks down into two types, both of which you deserve after being hit by a car in Indiana.

There are two types of damages pedestrians in Indiana can recover after being hit by a car: economic and non-economic. The process of recovering these damages can be complicated, so it’s wise to hire an attorney to guide you. Your lawyer will help you file an insurance claim initially and, if you cannot recover sufficient damages, will help you move forward with a lawsuit against a negligent driver. To protect their access to economic and non-economic damages in the future, pedestrian victims in Indiana should take the necessary steps and hire an experienced attorney.

Our dedicated attorneys are here to help injured pedestrians throughout Indiana and hold negligent drivers accountable. For a free case evaluation with the Indiana car accident lawyers at Wruck Paupore, call today at (219) 322-1166.

What Types of Compensation Can You Receive as a Pedestrian Hit by a Car in Indiana?

For Indiana pedestrians hit by cars, there are two types of compensation available: economic and non-economic. Understanding these different types of damages and what they compensate victims for is essential for Indiana car accident victims to know.

Economic Damages

Think of economic damages as what will replace the monetary amounts you’ve lost or will lose after being hit by a car as a pedestrian in Indiana. Generally, injuries sustained in such accidents are severe, and pedestrian victims often need compensation for the financial impact a collision has had on their lives. Economic damages seek to compensate victims for that financial impact and cover costs associated with victims’ injuries, such as the cost of medical treatments and therapies necessary after an accident. These damages can also compensate victims for current and future lost wages, as well as things such as the replacement costs of household services which the injury victim can no longer perform themselves.

Non-Economic Damages

Indiana pedestrians hit by an at-fault driver can also recover non-economic damages. This type of compensation refers to a car accident’s emotional impact on a victim’s life. While quantifying non-economic damages can be difficult, your Indiana car accident lawyer will help prove the pain and suffering and loss of quality of life that you’ve endured due to a negligent driver’s actions. Proving the full extent of these losses requires unique knowledge and skill, as they aren’t readily quantifiable into a specific number like economic losses. A skilled advocate at your side can make a tremendous difference in the amount of non-economic damages recovered, and these are often the largest part of an injury settlement.

Paths to Compensation for Indiana Pedestrians Hit by Cars

Recovering sufficient damages is crucial for Indiana pedestrians who have been hit by cars. That is why our skilled attorneys take a steady, intentional approach to ensure that each step in the process is properly explored.

The first step to recovery for Indiana pedestrians hit by cars is to file a claim with a negligent driver’s liability insurance. The minimum liability coverage required in Indiana is $25,000 for bodily injury per person. While some Indiana drivers may choose to purchase more comprehensive liability insurance, it could be that the person who hit you with their car only carries the minimum amount. It’s also important to note that Indiana insurance companies also frequently fail to fully consider non-economic damages in their attempts to settle claims directly with injury victims.

Suppose a negligent driver’s insurance company fails to treat you fairly and offer you the full value of your claim which you’re entitled to. In that case, your attorney will help you move forward with a lawsuit against the negligent driver. Often, pedestrians hit by cars have a higher chance of recovering both economic and non-economic damages when they proceed with a lawsuit. Your Indianapolis car accident lawyer will help you navigate each crucial step in the recovery process to receive full compensation for your injuries after being hit by a negligent driver.

How Can Pedestrians Ensure They Recover Sufficient Compensation After Being Hit by a Car in Indiana?

Although Indiana victims hit by cars as pedestrians may think that recovering damages against a negligent driver is always successful, that couldn’t be further from the truth. You should take a few crucial steps to ensure you have the best chance of recovering sufficient compensation after being hit by a car in Indiana.

Call the Police

Immediately after being hit by a car in Indiana, call the police. Law enforcement officials will complete a crash report detailing the incident’s events. It is always necessary to alert Indiana police officers after an accident of any kind, but especially one in which the victim is a pedestrian. This is because pedestrian injuries in Indiana car accidents are often incredibly damaging. The crash report officers complete can contain crucial details that help your attorney eventually prove a negligent driver’s fault.

Speak to Eyewitnesses

When pedestrians are hit by cars in Indiana, they are likely to be discombobulated and overwhelmed. You might not have seen the car that hit you or be aware of the accident’s cause. Because of that, it’s wise to speak to eyewitnesses and recover their contact information. Your Hammond car accident lawyer can contact eyewitnesses in the future, and their testimony can be crucial in helping you recover sufficient damages in an Indiana car accident lawsuit.

Seek Medical Attention

Injuries to pedestrians caused by negligent drivers can be severe. To help ensure victims recover adequate damages in the future, they need to seek immediate medical attention after an accident. A doctor can attest to the severity of your injuries and their likely cause. Medical professionals will also create a treatment plan outlining the medical care you’ll require to heal. It is important to maintain any scheduled medical appointments related to your injuries. Your medical records can be vital evidence against a negligent driver.

Hire an Attorney

Generally, the best thing pedestrians can do after being hit by a vehicle is to hire a Fort Wayne car accident lawyer. Your attorney can thoroughly investigate an accident’s cause and compile compelling evidence that points to a negligent driver’s fault. A skilled lawyer will gather your medical records and records of lost wages to prove the need for economic damages. Your attorney may also advise that you keep a journal or seek care from a mental healthcare professional to help prove the need for non-economic damages.

Call Our Indiana Lawyers if You’ve Recently Been Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian

If you’ve recently been hit by a car as a pedestrian in Indiana, our attorneys can help. For a free case evaluation with the South Bend car accident lawyers at Wruck Paupore, call today at (219) 322-1166.