Are there precautions that pedestrians can take to reduce pedestrian accidents and injuries? If you’re injured by a negligent driver, you may be unable to work for weeks or months. You can file a personal injury claim – and maybe you already have – but until your case is settled, you may need the services of a settlement funding company.

We’re all pedestrians sometimes, and we all know that simply walking across the street can sometimes be a death-defying experience. When a negligent driver hits a pedestrian, the pedestrian may sustain neck, back, head, or brain injuries, internal injuries, and multiple bruises, broken bones, and abrasions.

Take These Steps After a Pedestrian Accident

If you are injured by a negligent driver while you are a pedestrian, seek medical treatment immediately. Then, as quickly as possible, discuss your legal rights and options with an experienced personal injury attorney.

If you’re injured as a pedestrian, don’t make any statement to an insurance company, sign any documents, or accept a quick settlement offer. Anything you say could be used against you, so let your lawyer do the talking and negotiating – for a more generous settlement – on your behalf.

What can you do to protect yourself as a pedestrian? Consider these suggestions:

  • Don’t let yourself be distracted while walking.
  • Where it’s possible, cross at crosswalks and walk on sidewalks.
  • Never jaywalk. When you cross, look both ways.
  • After sunset, wear brightly-colored clothing and bring a flashlight.

What Are Your Rights as a Victim of Negligence?

Under the law in every state, injured pedestrians who are victims of negligence are entitled to compensation for their accident-related current and projected future medical expenses, lost wages and projected future lost wages, personal pain and suffering, and all related damages.

Of course, when you seek compensation with a personal injury lawsuit, you and your attorney will have to prove that the driver who injured you was negligent and liable. Lawsuits take time to resolve, and your claim could be additionally delayed for any number of reasons.

For example, the driver who injured you may claim that he or she was not negligent and that you were the negligent party. A contested personal injury claim can take months or even longer to resolve.

What Should You Do While Your Case Is Pending?

Meanwhile, you’re out of work, your monthly obligations are piling up, and you have additional medical costs due to your injury – copays and anything else not covered by insurance. What can you do to “bridge the gap” financially until your personal injury claim is resolved?

If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian, a settlement funding company can provide you with pre-settlement funding. What is pre-settlement funding? A settlement funding company can provide you with a cash advance while your case is pending in return for a portion of your settlement.

Providing Practical Financial Solutions

However – and this is important – pre-settlement funding isn’t a loan. If your pedestrian accident claim does not prevail, you keep the funds and owe nothing. By easing your financial stress, pre-settlement funding can give you the time it takes to negotiate a more generous settlement.

And if a reasonable settlement of your pedestrian accident claim is not forthcoming in private negotiations, pre-settlement funding may give you the ability – and the time you’ll need – to take your case to trial.

You can learn more by speaking to the funding professionals at Universal Funds. It would be our privilege to assist you.