Baton Rouge’s streets are vibrant and bustling, but they can also be hazardous for pedestrians. Alarming statistics reveal a troubling reality—in 2023, the Baton Rouge metro area recorded 136 pedestrian accidents, with East Baton Rouge Parish leading the state in pedestrian fatalities.
The aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be devastating, often leaving victims with life-altering injuries, mounting medical expenses, and emotional distress.
At Pierce & Shows, we have a dedicated team of attorneys committed to advocating for pedestrians’ rights and helping them seek the compensation they deserve.
Pedestrian Rights in Louisiana
In Louisiana, pedestrians have a legal right to use roads safely, whether walking on the sidewalk, crossing at a crosswalk, or getting out of a parked vehicle.
Louisiana Revised Statutes §32:212 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians under certain conditions, highlighting the duty of care drivers must uphold. However, negligent and reckless driving often leads to preventable accidents, leaving pedestrians at risk.
If you’ve been injured due to a driver’s negligence, a personal injury attorney can help ensure your rights as a pedestrian are respected. Pierce & Shows can assist in gathering the evidence needed to hold drivers accountable and pursue compensation.
Common Pedestrian Injuries in Baton Rouge
Pedestrian accidents can result in severe injuries, including but not limited to:
- Neck and spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations and burns
- Road rash
These injuries go beyond physical pain; they often lead to lost wages, emotional distress, and a diminished quality of life. Louisiana law allows injured parties to recover damages for both physical and emotional suffering (La. Civ. Code §2315). An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can help quantify these damages, ensuring you are compensated not just for immediate costs but also for the lasting impact on your life.
If you’ve experienced any of these injuries, seeking legal guidance can be essential in building a strong case for recovery.
Types of Compensation You May Recover After a Pedestrian Accident
A pedestrian accident can impose financial and emotional burdens. At Pierce & Shows, we work diligently to help our clients recover compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: This includes past, current, and future medical treatments, which can be claimed under Louisiana’s personal injury statutes (La. Civ. Code §2315).
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: We help you document income lost due to your injuries, including potential future earnings if your ability to work is impacted.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional suffering are compensable under Louisiana law. An attorney can help accurately calculate these damages, which insurance companies often underestimate.
- Emotional Distress: Emotional and mental health effects can be just as significant as physical injuries. Our attorneys work to ensure all forms of suffering are accounted for in your claim.
Each of these types of damages requires thorough documentation. A personal injury attorney can help you prove these claims, ensuring you receive a fair settlement or award. If you or a loved one have experienced these losses, seeking justice is possible.
How a Personal Injury Attorney in Baton Rouge Can Help
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Pierce & Shows, we’re dedicated to protecting pedestrians’ rights and securing the compensation they deserve. Our team has a proven track record of success in pedestrian accident cases, and we’ll fight tirelessly on your behalf to achieve a fair outcome. Here’s how our team can support you:
- Medical Expenses: This includes past, current, and future medical treatments, which can be claimed under Louisiana’s personal injury statutes (La. Civ. Code §2315).
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: We help you document income lost due to your injuries, including potential future earnings if your ability to work is impacted.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional suffering are compensable under Louisiana law. An attorney can help accurately calculate these damages, which insurance companies often underestimate.
- Emotional Distress: Emotional and mental health effects can be just as significant as physical injuries. Our attorneys work to ensure all forms of suffering are accounted for in your claim.
1. Investigate the accident thoroughly.
We gather all necessary information, from police reports to witness statements, to build a solid foundation for your case.
2. Gather evidence to build a strong case.
Our attorneys work closely with professionals to document the full extent of your injuries and losses.
3. Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies.
We handle all negotiations to ensure insurance companies offer fair settlements, protecting you from lowball offers.
4. Take your case to court if necessary.
If a fair settlement can’t be reached, our attorneys are prepared to advocate for you in court.
Louisiana has a statute of limitations of one year from the date of the accident (La. Civ. Code §3492), meaning timely action is crucial to preserve your right to compensation. With Pierce & Shows by your side, you can rest assured that your case is in capable hands.
Contact Our Baton Rouge Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Pierce & Shows Today
Louisiana’s strict statute of limitations (La. Civ. Code §3492) means that waiting too long could prevent you from filing a claim. Reaching out to a seasoned pedestrian accident attorney promptly can make all the difference in protecting your rights and pursuing the compensation you deserve.
At Pierce & Shows, our attorneys are committed to helping Baton Rouge residents recover after pedestrian accidents. We understand Louisiana’s traffic laws and have extensive experience in negotiations and courtroom advocacy.
Contact us today at 225-388-9574 to schedule an initial consultation.
