Motorists owe everyone on the road a duty of care to drive responsibly and reasonably, regardless of whether those people are in cars or on foot. Unfortunately, motorists often overlook pedestrians, which can result in devastating consequences.
If a car struck you while you were walking, a respected Rio Rancho pedestrian accident lawyer from New Mexico Accident Firm could help you. Our attorneys care about our community and could support you during this difficult time.
Driver behaviors that could contribute to pedestrian accidents include:
A motorist might turn their head to check whether a car is approaching but fail to scan sufficiently to see if anyone is walking in their path. The fact that people are smaller and harder to spot than cars is not a valid excuse for negligently failing to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Drivers should be especially cautious about checking for pedestrians near schools, playgrounds, parks, homes, and other places where children are likely to be outdoors.
Our seasoned Rio Rancho attorneys understand that being hit by a car while walking can change your life. We could help you seek justice.
Liability in pedestrian accidents is not always simple. You may have done something that contributed to your injuries. For instance, if you were walking at night while wearing all dark clothing, which made you harder to see, you could bear some blame for your accident. Similarly, if you decided to cross the road outside of a clearly designated crosswalk, you might also be partially at fault. However, even if your actions contributed to the crash, you could still be eligible to pursue a legal claim for compensation.
New Mexico follows a pure comparative negligence standard, which means that you can seek damages even if you were mostly to blame for your accident. However, the court will reduce the amount of damages that you recover by the same percentage as your degree of fault.
Issues of comparative negligence and assigning percentages of fault can be confusing. Our experienced lawyers could explain these matters and work tirelessly on your behalf to build a strong claim for the maximum damages for your Rio Rancho pedestrian accident lawsuit.
If a car struck you while you were on foot, you could face severe physical, emotional, and financial losses. A dedicated and compassionate Rio Rancho pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm could help you. Call us today to schedule a meeting with an attorney.
