Identifying Negligent Parties
A critical first step in the process of pursuing damages is identifying the potential negligent parties. Possible negligent parties may include distracted, drunk, or reckless drivers. A government entity also could be legally responsible if a poorly maintained or marked roadway caused the accident.
Even though negligent motorists are typically responsible for these accidents, pedestrian can still be partially to blame in certain situations. Pedestrians have certain responsibilities, like obeying traffic signals, when they are walking along the road. When they fail to obey traffic signals or walk across the street in a dangerous manner, they could be held at least partially negligent for their accident.
To seek damages, a claimant must be no more than 50 percent liable for an accident. A local accident attorney could analyze a particular case and advise an injured pedestrian about whether they are likely to receive a damages award, and from whom.