Pre-Settlement Funding: Fatal Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit
Each time someone gets behind the wheel of a car, they have a significant responsibility to drive as safely as possible. This means not driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, avoiding text messaging and any other distractions, and following all traffic laws. Unfortunately, whenever a driver is negligent, an innocent individual may end up paying the price. Many car accidents involve pedestrians, and in most of these accidents, a pedestrian is simply no match for a vehicle of any size. Even if a collision occurs at a slow speed, the impact of a car can severely hurt someone on foot, and in some cases, those injuries are fatal.
While no two pedestrian accidents are identical, in some cases, these accidents are the direct result of negligence. Pedestrian accidents may result from drivers:
- Speeding
- Driving while under the influence
- Running red lights
- Running stop signs
- Driving while distracted
With the evolution of technology, and more and more people owning cell phones, there has been an uptick in car accidents that have resulted from distracted drivers. From texting to taking phone calls, these distractions can result in accidents that can seriously injure or kill others, with pedestrian accidents being no exception. The City of Fort Worth, Texas, for example, revealed that pedestrian accidents increased 9.4 percent, and pedestrian fatalities increased 32.3 percent over a recent four-year period. The NHTSA also reported that in a recent one-year period, there were 5,977 fatal pedestrian accidents, with 5,890 traffic accidents that involved one or more pedestrian fatalities. This equates to a deadly pedestrian accident every 88 minutes, which is the equivalent to 16 deaths a daily, or almost 115 fatalities weekly.
Although traffic laws and regulations vary by state, when it comes to pedestrian safety, most are very similar. Cars are usually expected to stop for pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks, even if there isn’t a red light or stop sign. When stopping at intersections, it is important not to block crosswalks, as this can be dangerous for any pedestrians looking to cross the street. Additionally, because some pedestrians don’t always use the designated crosswalk, it is critical to always be aware of pedestrians attempting to cross the street. Drivers should be especially diligent in crowded areas with a lot of foot traffic. When driving near playgrounds, schools, and residential neighborhoods, drivers should also be extremely cautious since small children don’t always understand the dangers of motor vehicles. As always, drivers are expected to stop at red lights and stop signs; failure to do so may result in a dangerous pedestrian accident or fatality. It’s always important to be mindful of others on the road with you, including pedestrians and bicyclists, and to share the road with them.
Losing a loved one can be an extremely difficult and unbearable process; it is especially disheartening when a loved one’s death was the direct result of another person’s negligence. Families of victims often go through an array of emotions during this difficult period, and they often look to seek justice. Many work with attorneys on wrongful death lawsuits, which can help with unexpected expenses, such as funeral costs.
Waiting on a wrongful death lawsuit to settle can be frustrating during such an emotionally-draining time. At USClaims, we offer an alternative to those waiting on cases to settle; this is a process known as pre-settlement funding, also commonly referred to as a lawsuit advance. Contact USClaims today to learn more about the lawsuit advance process, and to see if your case is eligible.
