Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Burnaby

Pedestrian accidents are a serious problem in British Columbia, especially in places like Burnaby and other large cities where congestion levels are high. In fact, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) reports that over a five-year period, there were an average of 2,700 pedestrian accidents per year reported, 2,600 of which resulted in pedestrian injuries, and more than 60 of which were fatal per year.

Pedestrian accidents are often catastrophic, and it is easy to understand why: pedestrians have no protections when struck by a motor vehicle. At the Preszler Law Firm, our lawyers have helped injured pedestrians and their families pursue damages after a collision, and are prepared to advocate for you if you have been injured.

Injuries Resulting from Pedestrian Collisions in Burnaby

While some pedestrians may be able to walk away from a pedestrian crash with a motor vehicle with minor injuries, such as scrapes and bruises, the majority are not so fortunate. Indeed, motor vehicles typically weigh upwards of 4,000 lbs., and when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the pedestrian’s body bears the full force of the accident. 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.

These injuries not only cause serious physical pain and disability–and expensive medical treatment, too–but also often result in psychological harm, lost wages, and a diminished quality of life. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Burnaby believe that those involved in pedestrian collisions deserve to be compensated for 100% of the value of damages they incur.

Who Pays for Losses after a Pedestrian Accident in Burnaby?

If you are a resident of British Columbia and you have ICBC Basic Autoplan Coverage or you are hit by a driver who carries coverage through ICBC, your pedestrian accident claim will be processed through ICBC. As explained by ICBC’s 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 you have been struck by a driver of a motor vehicle, the process is not always simple. Like all insurance companies, ICBC may not be eager to pay you your full settlement amount; instead, saving money is usually a 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 a skilled Burnaby pedestrian accident lawyer on your side, you risk not recovering the full amount of damages you are owed.

How Our Burnaby Pedestrian Lawyer can Help

We believe that you deserve to be fully compensated for your losses, and we are passionate about putting in the work it takes to maximize your settlement. Our Burnaby pedestrian accident lawyer 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 experts during the process, including accident reconstruction experts, to add clout to your claim and preserve relevant evidence
• 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 a 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 or not you should accept or reject it. If a settlement offer is lower than we believe you deserve, we can assertively 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 and negotiations are unsuccessful, we can file a lawsuit you behalf. We are skilled litigators with years of experience behind us.

Call Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Burnaby Today

Drivers of motor vehicles have a duty to 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. At the Preszler Law Firm, we promise that our pedestrian accident lawyers in Burnaby will work hard for you. We understand how much you have suffered, and want to help you recover what you deserve. Contact us today to request a free consultation.