As a pedestrian it is normal to feel vulnerable, especially in a metropolitan city with the hustle and bustle around every turn. Many times cars, bicycles and pedestrians are involved in accidents simply because someone was not paying enough attention. You take a risk every time you step off a curb as a pedestrian, and it’s reassuring to know that you do have some recourse if you are hurt.
Val Wilson, an experienced pedestrian injury attorney in Philadelphia says walking in the city is the most common place where a person will be hurt. It is his firm’s goal to discover how the accident occurred and identify why it has happened. When his firm Wilson, Johnson & Zuber, takes on a pedestrian injury case they first try to find out exactly what happened, and who might be a responsible party. They accomplish this by re-creating the scene. After getting the client’s version of events, they will often visit the scene of the accident to get a better sense of the situation. In some cases, they have even contracted engineers to analyze the area and give an expert opinion of why they believe the accident occurred. The reason there is such an emphasis on this process is to prove negligence or fault. Once they can prove liability of more than 50 percent in a pedestrian injury case, they have enough evidence for a successful lawsuit.
While the majority of pedestrian cases will be settled out of court, Wilson says his firm prepares every case like it will go to trial. This way, if they do end up in a courtroom, they have no doubt that they have all the evidence needed to deliver a strong, persuasive case.
Wilson always advises his clients to take pictures of the scene and of their injuries. This way even if the area is modified, the legal team still has the proof needed. They can do a great job of re-creating a scene, but nothing speaks louder than actual imagery.
Another common injury case Wilson sees frequently in Philadelphia, is in the case of a slip and fall accident. These injuries are often common in the winter months in Philadelphia when ice and snow present slippery walkways. As a slip and fall lawyer in Philadelphia, Wilson explains that Pennsylvania has a law dictating that snow must be cleared within six hours of falling in a business area. He can often sue for negligence when a property owner has failed to do this and injuries were the result.
Wilson, Johnson & Zuber also assist with the processing of insurance claims. If you are hit by a car as a pedestrian, your car insurance may still cover you if (depending on the coverage you have purchased) the offending motorist is uninsured or underinsured. You do not have to be a driver to be involved in an auto collision, according to this Philadelphia pedestrian injury attorney. Wilson, Johnson & Zuber can help with processing the paperwork, and refer a client to a reputable physician or specialist when needed. Wilson recommends that whatever type of injury you have sustained, however minor, it is important to document it well, and quickly contact your pedestrian injury attorney in Philadelphia.
This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Publication of this article and your receipt of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.