When a car hits a pedestrian, there is no contest. The pedestrian loses every time. These are some of the most devastating injury cases I see — traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, shattered bones, internal organ damage, and death. The human body simply cannot absorb the force of a vehicle traveling even at low speeds.
Joplin is not a pedestrian-friendly city. Many of our roads were designed for cars, not walkers. Main Street, Rangeline Road, 7th Street — these are high-traffic corridors with inadequate crosswalks, poor lighting, and drivers who aren’t watching for people on foot. Parking lot accidents are also extremely common.
If you were hit while crossing in a crosswalk, the driver almost certainly had a duty to yield to you. But even if you were jaywalking or crossing outside a crosswalk, Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule means you can still recover compensation — your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you’re not barred from recovery. Insurance companies will try to blame the pedestrian. Don’t let them.
Pedestrian accident injuries often require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment. The full value of your case includes not just what you’ve spent so far, but what you’ll spend for the rest of your life. When you’re hurt, call Kurt. (417) 553-4898. Free consultation.
Related Resources
- Car Accident Lawyer Joplin
- What to Do After an Accident in Missouri
- How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Missouri?
If you’ve been injured, contact Benecke Injury Law at (417) 623-4000 for a free case review.