Houston Run-Over Accident Lawyers

Types of Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims

Being struck by a vehicle can have devastating consequences for victims, including physical injuries, emotional trauma, and significant financial hardships. With the help of Run-Over Accident Attorneys in Houston, you can pursue compensation to alleviate these burdens.

1. Medical Expenses

The first concern for many pedestrian accident victims is medical expenses. Which may include:

• Emergency Room Visits: Immediate care, such as ambulance transportation and emergency room services, is often necessary after a pedestrian accident.
• Hospital Stays: Victims with severe injuries, such as fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or spinal damage, may require extended hospitalization.
• Surgeries: Corrective surgeries, such as for internal injuries or orthopedic repairs, can be costly but essential for recovery.
• Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy: After severe injuries, victims often need physical therapy or occupational therapy to regain mobility and functionality.
• Future Medical Expenses: Some injuries require long-term or lifelong treatment. Compensation can account for future surgeries, medications, or ongoing therapies.
• Assistive Devices: Costs for medical equipment like wheelchairs, prosthetics, or braces may also be included.

2. Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity

Due to their injuries, pedestrian accident victims often miss work, leading to lost wages. This type of compensation can include:

• Current Lost Wages: Reimbursement for income lost during the time the victim is unable to work due to hospitalization, medical appointments, or recovery.
• Diminished Earning Capacity: If the victim’s injuries result in a long-term disability or impairment that reduces their ability to work, compensation may account for future lost income.
• Lost Opportunities: In some cases, victims may lose career advancement opportunities, such as promotions or training, due to their injuries.

3. Pain and Suffering

Victims can be compensated for the physical and emotional impact of their injuries. These are subjective and often harder to quantify than economic damages. They may include:

• Physical Pain: Chronic pain, discomfort, or mobility limitations caused by the accident.
• Emotional Trauma: The mental health of many victims is severely impacted after an accident. They can suffer anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or depression.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Some injuries can make it hard or impossible for victims to engage in activities they once enjoyed, such as hobbies or spending quality time with family.

4. Disfigurement and Permanent Disability

In cases where the victim suffers permanent damage, such as scarring, disfigurement, or a lasting disability, compensation is typically higher. These damages aim to address the following:

• Physical Scars: Compensation for noticeable scarring or disfigurement that affects the victim’s appearance and self-esteem.
• Loss of Limb or Function: Victims who lose a limb or suffer paralysis may require prosthetics or home modifications, such as ramps or accessible bathrooms.
• Long-Term Care: Permanent disabilities may necessitate hiring caregivers or moving to an assisted living facility.

5. Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are seldom awarded but may be applicable in instances involving gross negligence or reckless behavior by the driver. They are awarded at the court’s discretion and require evidence of malicious intent or extreme negligence.

6. Loss of Consortium

For family members of the victim, a pedestrian accident can affect relationships and emotional bonds. Loss of consortium damages may compensate spouses or dependents for:

• Loss of Companionship: Emotional and social support the victim can no longer provide due to their injuries.
• Loss of Intimacy: Spouses may suffer from the physical or emotional inability to maintain their relationship as it was before the accident.