Pedestrian knock-down accidents can lead to devastating injuries, leaving victims and their loved ones dealing with new financial and emotional burdens. If you are injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to sue for compensation.
North Carolina is a fault state, which means you can be compensated if a driver was at fault for your injuries. The following types of damage may be recovered in a successful claim.
Economic damages
As the aggrieved party, you may be eligible to recover economic damages, which encompass quantifiable financial losses directly resulting from the pedestrian accident. These damages typically include medical expenses incurred for treatment, rehabilitation costs, lost wages due to inability to work and any future income impairment caused by the injuries. In North Carolina, economic damages aim to reimburse the victim for the tangible financial hardships endured as a direct consequence of the accident.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages encompass the intangible losses and suffering experienced by the victim as a result of the pedestrian accident. These damages go beyond the measurable financial impact and include elements such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and mental anguish. In North Carolina, non-economic damages aim to compensate the victim for the subjective hardships endured, acknowledging the emotional and psychological toll of the accident and resulting injuries.
Punitive damages
As a fault state, North Carolina also allows for the possibility of punitive damages in cases where the defendant’s actions were deemed particularly egregious or intentional. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, which aim to compensate the victim, punitive damages serve as a form of punishment against the at-fault party and a deterrent to similar conduct in the future. These damages are awarded at the discretion of the court and are intended to send a message that reckless or malicious behavior will not be tolerated.
If you’re considering litigation to pursue compensation for pedestrian knock-down injuries, seeking legal guidance can help ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process.
