Burnaby Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents are surprisingly commonplace in British Columbia, especially in places like Burnaby and other large cities, where congestion levels are high. Looking at five-year data, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) found that an average of 2,700 pedestrian accidents takes place each year, including 2,600 pedestrian hospitalizations and more than 60 fatalities.

Pedestrian accidents are often catastrophic, and it is easy to understand why: they have no protection when struck by a motor vehicle. At Preszler Law, a personal injury law firm with an office in Burnaby, we advocate for injured pedestrians and their families, assisting them in pursuing damages.

Injuries resulting from pedestrian collisions in Burnaby

While some pedestrians may be able to walk away from being struck by a motor vehicle with minor scrapes and bruises, the majority are not so fortunate. Indeed, motor vehicles typically weigh upwards of 4,000 lbs., and when a vehicle strikes them, the body bears the full force. This can mean serious and sometimes fatal injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Spinal cord injuries;
• Back and neck injuries;
• Internal injuries;
• Bone fracture injuries;
• Soft tissue injuries; and
• Amputation injuries.

Since 2005, auto manufacturers in the European Union and Japan have been forced to design the hoods and front bumpers of their vehicles to limit the damage done to pedestrians. However, North America has been slow in adopting these same rigorous standards. As a result, Canadian pedestrians suffer physical pain, disability, expensive medical treatments, psychological harm, lost wages, and a diminished quality of life. Seeking a personal injury lawyer with our firm will give you every advantage in seeking 100% compensation for your losses.

Who pays for losses after a pedestrian accident in Burnaby?

Every resident and motorist of British Columbia with ICBC Basic Autoplan Coverage will be processed through ICBC following a collision. As explained by their website, basic UMP (Underinsured Motorist Protection) coverage will cover you (and members of your household) when you are injured in a crash, while acting as a pedestrian if the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance. Autoplan Accident Benefits also help you with your medical costs and lost wages, regardless of who is at fault for a crash.

While ICBC insurance coverage is designed to compensate you when a driver of a motor vehicle has struck you, the process is not always simple or straightforward. Like all insurance companies, ICBC may not be eager to pay you your full settlement amount; instead, saving money is usually their top priority. Fault may be disputed, and if you are found to be at fault, your ability to seek settlement payments from the driver who hit you, including payments for noneconomic damages, may be significantly impaired. Without skilled Burnaby personal injury lawyers on your side, you risk recovering significantly less than the full amount of damages you are owed.

How our team of Burnaby Pedestrian Accident Lawyers can help

We believe that you deserve to be fully compensated for your losses. Our pedestrian accident law firm will help you by:

• Opening an investigation into your case: We investigate your case to determine exactly what happened and precisely who is to blame. We work with accident reconstruction experts to determine what happened, preserve relevant evidence, and add clout to your claim.
• Evaluating your damages: Part of recovering the amount of money you deserve is understanding what your claim is worth. We consider all losses you have suffered, ranging from obvious economic losses like medical expenses to intangible losses like diminished quality of life or relationships.
• Filing and negotiating your claim: We will handle the filing of your claim in a timely and accurate manner. We will review your ICBC settlement and advise you regarding whether you should accept or reject it. If a settlement offer is lower than we believe you deserve, we can negotiate for a higher amount.
• Filing a lawsuit. If you are harmed in a pedestrian accident and you are not being offered the settlement you deserve, we will first try to negotiate. If settlement talks are unsuccessful, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf. You can trust a pedestrian accident lawyer with our firm to advocate for you.

Contact Preszler Law today

Drivers of motor vehicles must operate their cars with caution and a reasonable degree of care. When things like driver distraction, intoxication, and other acts of carelessness or negligence lead to a pedestrian crash, the victim deserves to be compensated. Since we work on contingency basis and only get paid if you get paid, we are your dedicated advocates for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to request a free consultation. You owe no money upfront, ever.