Content Reviewed By:
John Richmond, Co-Founding Member
- November 5, 2024
If you have been hit by a car in Niagara Falls, New York, it might not have been your fault. New York drivers have a legal duty to watch for pedestrians and use reasonable care to avoid hitting them. Pedestrians have no defense against motor vehicles and have a heightened risk of serious injury or death in collisions. When the unexpected happens, you can expect our Niagara Falls, NY, pedestrian accident lawyers at Richmond Vona to be there for you and help you get the highest compensation possible.
- Why Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Richmond Vona?
- How to Choose the Right Attorney After Your Niagara Falls Pedestrian Accident
- Who Can Be Held Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?
- How Richmond Vona Can Help With Your Pedestrian Accident Case
- Statute of Limitations for New York Pedestrian Accident Cases
- Compensation Available After a Pedestrian Accident in Niagara Falls
- What if You Share Part of the Blame?
- Reach Out to Our Niagara Falls Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Why Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Richmond Vona?
We are a dynamic team of passionate trial lawyers with more than 30 years of personal injury experience and over $175 million in compensation recovered. Our recent case results include a $100,000 pedestrian accident settlement. When you choose us, you get a dedicated three to four-person team that works tirelessly to get you the best outcome for your claim.
We aren’t your typical pedestrian accident law firm. For us, it’s personal. Our founding partners are recognized among the top five percent of New York personal injury attorneys. We use a fresh approach, focusing on advanced technology, open communication, and compassionate, aggressive advocacy to maximize your results.
Our seasoned pedestrian accident lawyers in Niagara Falls have experience as insurance defense attorneys, and personal injury attorneys, giving us a powerful combination of trial skills and insight into insurance companies’ strategies. We leverage our experience to stand up to large insurance companies with the skill and tenacity it takes to get you the results you deserve. We have local roots and a thorough understanding of Niagara County’s legal landscape.
No Fee Unless We Win
You have nothing to lose by speaking with our Niagara Falls pedestrian accident attorneys today. The initial consultation is free, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe us anything unless we recover compensation for you.
If we proceed with your case, we will immediately go to work to investigate your case and maintain an open line of communication with you. We will welcome your calls anytime.
How to Choose the Right Attorney After Your Niagara Falls Pedestrian Accident
The lawyer you choose may be the most important factor in determining how much compensation you recover for your pedestrian accident injuries. Not every personal injury lawyer has the qualities needed to get you the best results. Look for a pedestrian accident attorney in Niagara Falls with the following qualities:
- Years of experience handling pedestrian accident claims
- A long list of verifiable testimonials from pedestrian accident clients
- A longstanding local presence in Niagara Falls
- A proven record of successful results in pedestrian accident cases
- A client-centered, results-driven approach
- Successful trial experience
- A commitment to open communication
- Financial resources to investigate and prove your claim
- No upfront fees and a free initial consultation
- The ability to make you feel comfortable and inspire trust
Our top-rated pedestrian accident attorneys in Niagara Falls check all of these boxes. We are serious trial attorneys unafraid to take on insurance companies and large corporations in court if necessary. We will take the time to get to know you and make it a priority to be available whenever you need us.
Make the Most of Your Free Consultation
When you schedule your free consultation, bring any evidence you have gathered, including accident photos, eyewitness information, medical bills, and anything else you think may be important. Don’t be afraid to ask the attorney hard questions. From the attorney’s point of view, the purpose of the consultation is to determine whether you have a viable case, but it is also your opportunity to evaluate the attorney. Below are important questions to ask your prospective pedestrian accident attorney:
- Do you have satisfied pedestrian accident clients I can contact?
- How long have you been representing injured pedestrians?
- What types of results have you obtained in pedestrian accident cases?
- What challenges do you see in my case?
- Will my case settle or go to trial?
- What is your process for handling a pedestrian accident claim?
- What will I be required to do during my claim?
Avoid attorneys who settle all their cases. Losing at trial can be much more costly for insurance companies. Knowing you can win in court often motivates insurance companies to pay more. At Richmond Vona, we are serious trial lawyers who won’t hesitate to take your claim to trial to get fair compensation.
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This law firm goes above and beyond to fight for you. Their entire team treats you with respect and truly cares about your well-being. Look no further if you need a personal injury lawyer.
John Richmond and the team at Richmond Vona did an incredible job with my complicated personal injury case. They made sure no stone was unturned and got me the settlement I deserved for my situation. They treat you well, explain everything you need to know and more so you are always in the loop about the status of your case. John was easy to get in touch with anytime during the process and made signing paperwork easy and understandable. Their entire staff is professional and helpful throughout the process These guys are fair, trustworthy, and will stand up for you!
This firm’s attention to detail is second to none. It’s evident that they are true professionals and really care about their injured clients. This is the firm to call if you have been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence.
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Who Can Be Held Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?
One of an effective pedestrian accident lawyer’s most important jobs is determining who caused or contributed to your accident. The following parties may be liable for a pedestrian accident:
- The driver of the vehicle that hit you
- The driver of another vehicle
- The vehicles’ owners
- The manufacturer of defective auto parts
- The driver’s employer if the driver was on duty
- A trucking company if a commercial truck was involved
- A government entity if a city bus or road condition contributed to the accident
Multiple parties may be liable. Identifying all of the liable parties is key to maximizing your compensation. If a driver is liable, your recovery may be limited to the driver’s insurance coverage limits. If an employer or car manufacturer is partly to blame, a larger insurance policy may cover the accident, increasing the potential compensation.
The first thing we do after accepting your case is to physically go to the accident scene ourselves and gather evidence. We will photograph the scene, look for video footage, and interview witnesses. We may also hire forensic analysts and accident reconstructionists to piece together what happened and identify the responsible parties.
How Richmond Vona Can Help With Your Pedestrian Accident Case
Compensation for pedestrian accident injuries typically comes from insurance companies. Insurance companies have all the advantages because they have lawyers and adjusters with deep experience handling pedestrian accident claims. Meanwhile, you may be coping with devastating injuries and have little familiarity with the claims process. When you have the skills, experience, and tenacity of our Niagara Falls injury lawyers on your side, we will level the playing field and ensure you receive fair treatment.
Insurance companies quickly perform their own accident investigations, hire experts, and try to get you to admit fault. It is easy to feel like it was your fault when a car hits you. The insurance company will almost surely attempt to capitalize on this. We will fight fire with fire by doing the following and more:
- Handle all communications with the insurance company
- Perform our own thorough investigation of the accident
- Consult forensic experts and other professionals
- Work with your doctors and our medical experts to determine the severity of your injuries
- Negotiate for a fair and just settlement
- Take your claim to court if necessary
We will advise you of your rights, openly communicate with you, and advocate for your best interests until we win.
Statute of Limitations for New York Pedestrian Accident Cases
The New York statute of limitations for pedestrian accident lawsuits is generally three years from the accident date. If the victim dies from a pedestrian accident, the deadline is two years from the date of death.
You could lose your right to recover compensation if you miss the deadline. While there are some exceptions to the statute of limitations in New York, don’t wait to contact our top-rated crosswalk accident attorneys in Niagara Falls.
Compensation Available After a Pedestrian Accident in Niagara Falls
You may be entitled to recover substantial compensation in a Niagara Falls pedestrian accident lawsuit, including the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disability
- Inconvenience
- Emotional distress
If the driver acted maliciously or flagrantly disregarded your safety, you may also be able to recover punitive damages. Courts award such damages to punish the defendant and deter others from similar actions.
If your loved one has died from a pedestrian accident, our compassionate Niagara Falls wrongful death lawyers can pursue damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. Such damages may include your loved one’s lost income, your loved one’s pain and suffering, funeral expenses, lost inheritance, and other monetary losses.
Our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys in Niagara Falls work hard to get the best results possible for our clients. We will aggressively pursue every avenue available to maximize the compensation every responsible party pays.
Where Does Compensation Come From in a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
If you or a household member owns a vehicle with a no-fault insurance policy, you must first file a claim under that no-fault insurance policy. If a no-fault policy does not cover you or your injuries are serious and not completely covered by a no-fault policy, you can pursue a claim under the driver’s liability insurance. We can file both claims for you. We will also pursue claims against other liable parties and seek recovery for their respective insurance companies.
What if You Share Part of the Blame?
You may share some blame for your accident if you were crossing the street outside a designated crosswalk or were illegally in the roadway. However, this does not automatically bar you from recovering damages. Under New York’s contributory negligence law, you can still recover damages if you are partly to blame for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of the fault.
For example, if you are 30 percent at fault and your damages are $100,000, you can recover $70,000 in compensation.
Don’t accept a finding of fault as final, even if it’s from law enforcement. We will determine the fault for your accident when we investigate. We may be able to clear you of fault or substantially reduce your share of the blame.
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Reach Out to Our Niagara Falls Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
If you or your loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you can count on our Niagara Falls, NY, pedestrian accident lawyers for skilled representation with unwavering integrity. We won’t give up until we get you the best results possible. Contact us using our easy online form or call us at (716) 500-5678 to schedule a free consultation.
