Waterbury Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Waterbury Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Waterbury is one of the larger towns in Connecticut. The intersection of I-84 and the James H. Darcey Memorial Highway is one of the larger highway interchanges in the area, and Brass City also has a busy downtown area with lots of pedestrian foot traffic. While most pedestrians are able to reach their destinations safely, accidents can happen in many ways. If you were hurt in an accident while walking, you should speak with a skilled Waterbury pedestrian accident lawyer.

Legal Counsel for Injured Pedestrian Accident Victims in Waterbury, CT

Bartlett & Grippe can provide compassionate legal representation in the aftermath of a pedestrian accident in Waterbury. We know how damaging these accidents can be, and our team has more than 100 years of combined experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases for clients in Waterbury and surrounding areas of Connecticut. When you choose our firm to represent you, you can expect personalized legal counsel and reliable answers to your questions.

The Connecticut Crash Data Repository recorded a total of 109 accidents involving pedestrians in Waterbury during 2024. Whenever a motor vehicle hits a pedestrian, the pedestrian has a very high chance of suffering severe injuries. According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 9,076 pedestrians died in 2023 in traffic and non-traffic incidents.

Traffic incidents include any accidents that occur on active roads, while non-traffic incidents refer to things like backup accidents in parking lots and driveways or accidents inside parking structures.

Regardless of where your accident happened, if a driver hit you while walking, you will need an attorney’s help to hold them accountable for your damages. You will also need legal counsel you trust if you must file a wrongful death case on behalf of a fatally injured family member.

Proving Liability for a Pedestrian Accident in Waterbury

You might assume that when a driver hits a pedestrian, the driver is automatically at fault for the accident. However, liability is often contested in these cases in various ways. For example, the driver may claim that the pedestrian was jaywalking or that they crossed the street illegally and darted in front of their car, giving them no time to react. Your Waterbury pedestrian accident lawyer can help you prove the truth of the situation.

An experienced attorney can gather evidence like traffic camera footage, if available, drivers’ cell phone records, vehicle computer data, and statements from witnesses who saw the accident happen. Connecticut is an at-fault state for all vehicle accidents, so proving fault is an essential first step in recovering from any accident.

If a pedestrian is found partially liable for causing an accident, Connecticut’s modified comparative fault rule comes into play. The plaintiff can still recover compensation for their damages as long as they are found less at fault than the defendant. Whatever fault percentage is assigned to the plaintiff will be subtracted from their personal injury case award. Shared fault may also complicate the plaintiff’s auto insurance claim.

Recovering Compensation for Your Damages

Pedestrian accidents can easily cause life-changing harm to the victim. They may suffer broken bones, facial and dental injuries, traumatic brain damage, spinal cord injuries, or a combination of multiple serious injuries. The victim may not only require immediate emergency medical treatment but also various forms of ongoing care in order to fully rehabilitate. Medical expenses combined with the inability to work can create a very difficult financial situation very quickly.

Once you have proven fault for your accident, filing an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver is likely to be your primary avenue of recovering compensation for your damages. It’s important to have an experienced Waterbury pedestrian accident lawyer helping you with your claim, as insurance companies generally try to settle claims for as little as possible. You should expect the defendant’s insurer to dispute your claim in whatever way they can.

Your attorney can help you secure a fair settlement offer from the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. If any disputes are raised against your claim, your attorney will know how to resolve them. You will also need your attorney’s help if you must file a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver.

If you can successfully prove liability for a personal injury, Connecticut law allows you to claim compensation for any economic and non-economic damages the defendant caused. Economic damages are the direct financial losses you suffered from the accident, such as your medical bills and lost wages. However, if you suffered a catastrophic injury, you may have grounds to claim compensation for future medical bills and your lost earning capacity.

In addition to your economic damages, you also have the right to claim compensation for your pain and suffering. Your Waterbury pedestrian accident lawyer can help you maximize this aspect of your recovery. Generally, the amount of pain and suffering compensation the plaintiff receives will reflect the overall severity of the injuries they suffered.

When you are filing a wrongful death case after a loved one has died in a pedestrian accident, Bartlett & Grippe can provide compassionate legal counsel through all of these difficult proceedings. If your case is successful, it’s possible to hold the defendant accountable for the deceased’s lost future earning capacity, the pain and suffering they experienced before death, funeral and burial expenses, and damages to the deceased’s estate.

Find Your Waterbury Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

The right legal representative can have a tremendous positive influence on the outcome of your pedestrian accident case in Waterbury. The team at Bartlett & Grippe can develop a legal strategy tailored to your individual situation. Our goal is to help you establish fault for the accident and hold the defendant accountable for the full extent of the damages they inflicted.

You have limited time to file your case, and the evidence you may need to prove liability may not be available for very long after the accident. It’s important that you consult an experienced attorney as quickly as possible. Contact Bartlett & Grippe today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Waterbury pedestrian accident lawyer you trust.