Guelph Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
In 2019, more than 20 pedestrians were involved in crashes with motorists in Guelph. Pedestrian collisions can be fatal. They can also result in severe catastrophic injuries.
If you’re a pedestrian who was injured in a collision caused by a driver, a Guelph pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to help you recover the costs of damages you incurred as a result of the accident.
If the injuries you sustained in an accident have impacted your ability to perform routine activities, a pedestrian accident lawyer serving the Guelph area may be able to provide you with useful assistance by:
- Preparing paperwork
- Speaking to eyewitnesses
- Compiling police reports
- Analyzing medical records
- Negotiating settlements with all parties involved
Understanding Pedestrian Accidents in Guelph
Over the last decade in Canada, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) found that more than 300 pedestrians were killed each year. These numbers are extremely worrisome. In fact, a study conducted by the International Transport Forum, and reported on by the Financial Post, analyzing road traffic data from more than thirty countries reported that Canada was one of only seven countries to have reported an increase in pedestrian fatalities since 2010.
Pedestrians are 284 times more likely to be killed or injured in a crash than vehicle operators or passengers, per Parachute. Collisions with pedestrians often happen in urban areas, like Downtown Guelph. These accidents are often the result of a motor vehicle operator’s negligence.
Among the leading causes of pedestrian accidents is distracted driving, such as texting while driving. It only takes a moment for a driver to look away from the road and check a text message notification. In that brief second, a distracted driver could miss a traffic signal and strike a pedestrian.
Impaired driving is another major cause of pedestrian accidents. In Canada, on average, four people are killed by drunk drivers every day, per Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada). When a driver gets behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their response times to changing road conditions may be reduced, and their general abilities to operate a vehicle may be seriously impaired. This could cause them to engage in other types of reckless behaviour such as speeding, or ignoring traffic signals, which could lead to a fatal collision with an unsuspecting pedestrian.
Recovering Damages from a Pedestrian Accident
If you’ve been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident with a motor vehicle, a Guelph pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to help you recover damages for costs you incurred as a result of your accident. These costs might include:
- Medical expenses
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
- Lost wages from missed work
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
Pedestrian Accidents Can Be Fatal
If a negligent driver was responsible for killing someone you loved in a pedestrian accident, no financial settlement will be able to truly compensate you for your loss. However, in cases where you incurred financial losses as the result of a loved one’s wrongful death following a pedestrian accident, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for the following costs:
- Funerary and burial costs
- Medical expenses incurred before the victim’s death
- Lost income, benefits, and annuities
- Loss of guidance and companionship
Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers Today
If you’re a pedestrian who has been injured in an accident with a motor vehicle, a Guelph pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to provide you with useful assistance and advice. Call Preszler Injury Lawyers today for a free, initial consultation about your case.
