Southfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Walking is an excellent exercise and can save you money on gas. However, far too often, drivers face severe injuries or death due to careless driving.

Pedestrian safety is a serious matter. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), thousands of pedestrians yearly die or suffer severe injuries nationwide.

If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a negligent driver, a Southfield pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to help you. A personal injury or wrongful death case may apply to your accident and resulting damages.

Why Choose Us as Your Southfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

More than 150 years of experience with proven results

As pedestrian accident lawyers, Goodman Acker understands the tragic toll a pedestrian accident has on your life. Our approach to victims of negligence is caring and compassionate.

No one expects to incur severe injuries as they walk along Southfield city streets. However, the sudden and traumatic impact of an out-of-control vehicle changes your life instantly.

Founding partner Barry J. Goodman takes great pride in helping Michigan accident victims fight for justice. Barry is proud of the recognition he receives from peer organizations:

• Leaders in Law, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (2015)
• 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating
• AV® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®
• Inclusion on the Super Lawyers® list
• Inclusion on the Michigan Lawyers Weekly 2021 Hall of Fame list
• Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent of Attorneys 2019 by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
• The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Personal Injury 2019.

Barry believes in pursuing justice for the wrongly injured since he graduated from law school in 1977. Years of experience, negotiation, and trial skills contributed to the following client testimonials.

Insurance companies would rather settle out of court than face Barry J. Goodman. His fierce commitment to securing fair settlements is why you want him on your side.

If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries in a pedestrian accident caused by negligence, learn more about how Barry J. Goodman can help your case. Schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation today.

How Goodman Acker Can Help You

A pedestrian accident turns your world upside down. Severe injuries and medical treatment can leave you in pain and confused. The disruption to your daily life is profound and unfair.

Pursuing a civil claim and lawsuit alone is the last thing you need at this stressful time. Civil cases are intricate and complex, with details that can consume you.

Paperwork, phone calls, and gathering evidence require a dedicated focus. Goodman Acker can supply that focus and manage all details of your claim or lawsuit.

We understand how to apply Michigan law to your case. As personal injury lawyers, we know how to negotiate firmly with insurance companies. We also bring strong litigation skills to your case, should it go to trial.

Insurance companies have lawyers on their side to protect their best interests. So, you, too, should have someone looking out for you. Goodman Acker can provide the legal representation you need.

Southfield Pedestrian Accidents: Common Causes

There is no doubt that Michigan drivers have a safety advantage over pedestrians in an accident. Seatbelts, airbags, and the vehicle’s metal protection prevent drivers from experiencing severe harm.

Pedestrians have no protection against a car, truck, or SUV. The traumatic impact of a collision on a pedestrian’s body can forever change their life.

To share Southfield streets safely, drivers must obey traffic laws and refrain from reckless behavior behind the wheel. Unfortunately, a careless driver’s careless move can forever change a pedestrian’s life.

Among the most common causes of pedestrian accidents are drivers who drive:

• Aggressively: speeding, running red lights, road rage
• Drunk or drugged: under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Drowsy: lack of rest, medications, or an undiagnosed sleep disorder
• Distracted: eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off driving.

Far too often, drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. No one should suffer life-altering harm due to an impatient or reckless driver.

The injuries you experienced are tragic, and you deserve justice. While the responsible driver may face a traffic or criminal charge, you can still pursue civil action for your damages. In addition, a pedestrian accident lawyer by your side makes the process less stressful for you and your family.

Your Southfield Pedestrian Injuries

Pedestrian accident injuries are often traumatic and catastrophic. The harsh impact against an unforgiving surface, such as a road or sidewalk, can leave victims with life-changing injuries.

The popularity of SUVs contributes to the severity of injuries and pedestrian deaths. In addition, the high profile of an SUV causes it to strike pedestrians in the upper body, resulting in more harm.

Severe injuries require extensive care, which in turn, results in massive medical bills. The following types of injuries are possible in a pedestrian accident:

• Traumatic brain injury: disrupts normal brain function and can affect basic skills
• Spinal cord injury: affects movement and sensation, can result in paralysis
• Broken bones: type of break or multiple breaks can slow recovery
• Neck and back injuries: neck or back injuries can affect your ability to work
• Internal injuries: possibly deadly and require immediate medical attention.

A pedestrian accident can result in one or more severe injuries. In addition, the load to recovery is often long and expensive due to rehabilitation, surgeries, and therapies.

For some accident victims, the injuries are permanent. Adjusting to new life changes is not easy. If you suffered a permanent injury, your lawyer could fight for the compensation you need now and for your future care.

You are not alone during this challenging time. A Southfield pedestrian accident lawyer will have your back as they pursue compensation for your unjust damages.

Southfield Pedestrian Accidents FAQs

Below are just a few of the most frequently asked questions regarding pedestrian accidents, answered by our pedestrian accident lawyers at Goodman Acker.

Can I settle with the driver’s insurance company alone?

Without the advice of an attorney, you may settle for less than you deserve or receive no compensation. Insurance companies are too experienced at negotiations to handle alone.

How can I prove it was the driver’s fault?

Be sure to cooperate with responding police officers. A police report can serve as valuable evidence for determining fault. Never admit fault; instead, contact an attorney.

What other types of evidence may help my case?

Accident scene photographs, contact information for witnesses, and anything you collected at the scene or remember.

What happens if I need additional care for my injuries later? Can I file another lawsuit?

No. Accident victims have one opportunity to pursue compensation for their damages. Your civil claim or lawsuit is vitally crucial for your pursuit of justice and compensation.

Can I afford to hire a pedestrian accident attorney?

You cannot afford not to hire an attorney. At Goodman Acker, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only owe our fees if we when compensation for you.

A free case consultation is the first step toward taking legal action. Accident victims are under no obligation to move forward after their consultation. With no fee or commitment, you have nothing to lose and lots to learn about your potential case.

Your Pedestrian Accident Damages

Each pedestrian accident is different and unique to the circumstances involved. Therefore, your accident damages may differ from a similar pedestrian accident case.

Damages can also differ among personal injury and wrongful death cases. The following types of damages for each are among those most often included in civil cases:

Personal Injury:

• Medical bills for immediate and current medical care
• Continuous medical bills relating to long-term care needs
• Lost income due to time away from work
• Loss of future earnings, if you are unable to return to work
• Pain and suffering.

Wrongful death:

• Medical expenses for your loved one’s final days
• Costs associated with a funeral and burial
• Lost income from the decedent’s employment
• Loss of inheritance for surviving children.

Wrongful death cases also include non-economic damages, like the loss of companionship. The overall impact of your loss on your life is devastating and worthy of fair compensation.

The aftermath of your pedestrian accident is a turbulent time. Instead of going to work, you face a chaotic schedule of medical procedures and treatment. Or, you may face planning a service for your tragic loss.

Your lawyer can help you by handling the details of your case. While they aggressively fight for the compensation you deserve, they will treat you with the utmost respect.

Schedule your free case consultation as soon as possible. It is the best way to learn how to proceed if you have a case. In addition, it is free, leaving you nothing to lose.

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Why You Must Act Quickly

A pedestrian accident involving negligence requires quick action by the victim. State laws govern how long victims have to file civil lawsuits. The tight deadline is not something you want to miss.

Known as the statute of limitations, Michigan personal injury victims generally have three years to pursue legal action. If you fail to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, you generally have no further legal options.

Gathering evidence and building a case for compensation takes time. Your attorney will want to interview witnesses before they forget important accident details.

The sooner you contact a Southfield pedestrian accident attorney, the faster you can remove your case from your shoulders. You have enough to focus on without case phone calls and paperwork.

Your attorney can work on your behalf and promptly file your lawsuit. Do not miss your opportunity to pursue compensation for your unfair damages. Contact a pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible.

Michigan Pedestrian Deaths

According to the Michigan state police, approximately 100 people die yearly from pedestrian accidents. Losing a loved one in such a tragic way can leave you with heartbreak and unexpected expenses.

If you lost a close loved one due to a pedestrian accident involving negligence, a lawyer could help you. You may want to pursue a wrongful death claim or lawsuit for your damages.

Funeral costs are thousands of dollars, and you may receive final medical expenses for your loved one. When combined with the decedent’s lost wages, you can easily find yourself in a sudden and stressful financial bind.

Wrongful death law is best left to a licensed professional Michigan attorney. The grief of your loss makes managing your case alone far too challenging. Entrust your case to a wrongful death attorney from Goodman Acker today.

Goodman Acker: Your Southfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Most pedestrian accident cases settle outside of court. Occasionally, a patient may go to trial, making a skilled litigator necessary for the best outcome possible.

Presenting a civil case before a judge and jury requires experience and strong presentation skills. At Goodman Acker, we know how to convey how the accident impacted your life.

Whether we secure a settlement or a jury award for your damages, it is not until then that we collect our legal fees. No Southfield accident victims should allow the fear of attorney costs to stop them from seeking help.

Michigan law protects your right to pursue compensation for your damages. Pedestrian accident lawyers from Goodman Acker help clients like you who suffer life-altering harm.

Start Your Journey Toward Justice for Your Southfield Pedestrian Accident

Contact our team today if you or a loved one experienced severe injuries in a pedestrian accident. Our staff is caring, compassionate, and here for you. We welcome questions and will keep you updated as developments in your case happen.

Protect your best interests by scheduling a free case consultation with Goodman Acker today. While we cannot promise compensation, we take great pride in our 99 percent success rate. So let us get to work for you. Call Goodman Acker now at 248-286-8100.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]