Will My Insurance Cover Me if I Hit a Pedestrian?

A majority of the drivers on the roadway today would agree that at some point during the time they were behind the wheel, they did something they knew was dangerous or irresponsible. Whether it was digging through their console, addressing their noisy children in the backseat, or answering a phone call, a majority of drivers today can attest that they have engaged in distracted driving behavior at least once in their life. While many are fortunate enough to dodge an accident, not all are lucky and wind up causing one, sometimes with another vehicle and other times with a bicyclist or pedestrian.

While most individuals are aware of what their insurance coverage is when it comes to engaging in an accident with another motor vehicle, not all understand their coverage when it comes to an accident involving a pedestrian. Many people often wonder whether their insurance will cover the injuries they have caused or if they are going to be required to pay for the medical treatment the individual needs out of their own pocket. To help clarify this a little for you, below we are explaining what you can expect from your insurance company in the event you engaged in an accident and hit a pedestrian in New Orleans, LA.

The first thing you need to understand is that Louisiana is considered an at-fault state. This means that the person responsible for causing the accident is held accountable for the damage and/or injuries they cause to another person. The state of Louisiana also requires its drivers to carry certain insurance limits. For instance, you are required to purchase liability insurance and you must have the following limits:

 

• $15,000 for bodily injury to one person.
• $30,000 for bodily injury to more than one person in a single accident.
• $25,000 coverage for damage to someone else’s vehicle or other property.

[Source: State of Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance].

 

Now, your liability coverage may pay for the injuries you caused a pedestrian to suffer from, however, if that is not enough to satisfy the amount they deem necessary to cover their medical expenses and suffering, they could file a personal injury lawsuit against you in an effort to get more. While some personal injury lawsuits that are filed are for hundreds of dollars, others that are filed demand that thousands be paid to the victim.

 

Were you 100% at fault for causing the accident?

 

Something you should consider before taking the blame for the accident and paying any amount of money is whether you are 100% liable for not. Sometimes, pedestrians aren’t looking when they cross the road and wind up walking right into the path of an oncoming car. In this case, they may be held partially responsible for causing the accident, and that could affect how much they are entitled to receive for the injuries they sustained as well as the form of legal action they are permitted to take against you.

Now, if you aren’t sure whether you were 100% at fault for causing the accident, then it is best you contact one of our New Orleans, LA car accident attorneys who can help identify what your role was in the incident and what your percentage of fault was. Anytime you are involved in an accident in Louisiana and someone sustains an injury, it always best to consult with a car crash lawyer before accepting the blame or agreeing to a settlement.

Therefore, if you would like help with locating a car accident lawyer in the New Orleans area, contact USAttorneys.com now.