Maison Law represents pedestrians injured in Little Caesar’s parking lots across California. These are areas with a lot of moving vehicles and other hazards that you have to watch out for. When you’re hurt because the restaurant or someone else was negligent, you have legal options and we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
Just because you have certain legal rights and options when you’re in a pedestrian accident doesn’t necessarily mean you need a lawyer. In fact, if your injuries are only minor, you probably don’t need to worry about the legal process at all–even though you still technically have the right to file a claim.
Instead, you need a lawyer to make things easier for you when you’re more seriously injured. In a typical pedestrian accident, this is exactly what happens, and when it happens in a Little Caesar’s parking lot, there’s also the question of liability that can sometimes get murky. With our team’s experience and guidance, we’ll help you through the process and make sure you have what you need for a strong claim.
What Are Your Options For Filing a Claim?
When you get hurt in a pedestrian accident in a Little Caesar’s parking lot, the legal process generally consists of two options: filing an insurance claim or filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Both involve formally presenting what happened and your injuries, with an insurance adjuster or defense lawyer representing the at-fault parties. The goal is to obtain financial support, or “damages,” which may include:
- Medical costs relating to treatment costs, hospital care, surgeries, and medicine.
- Treatment for ongoing care or permanent injuries.
- Lost income if you’re unable to work currently and future earnings if you’re permanently disabled.
- Costs relating to the physical pain, mental suffering, and emotional distress from the accident.
- Repair or replacement costs for any personal property that’s damaged in the accident.
- Costs relating to any loss of companionship or quality of life.
A successful result isn’t guaranteed, but our team can strengthen your case. Also, you have to file within California’s statute of limitations for injury claims, which is two years from the accident date. Missing this deadline means you won’t be able to file a claim and recover these important damages.
Who Pays For My Damages After a Pedestrian Accident at a Little Caesar’s?
Again, you have options when you get injured in a pedestrian accident in a Little Caesar’s parking lot. However, these options are only in place if the accident was caused by someone else’s “negligence.”
Negligence is the concept that establishes legal responsibility for paying for your injuries and other damages. In the context of one of these accidents, it can describe any number of things, like:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Not yielding to pedestrians
- Ignoring stop signs
- Backing out without checking for pedestrians
- Driving under the influence
- Poor lighting or visibility
- Cracked or broken pavement
- Parking in pedestrian areas
- Aggressive driving
When these things happen, either the driver that hit you or the owner and management of the LIttle Caesar’s will bear most of the responsibility. However, it’s ultimately going to come down to what happened. Then, at that point, you have to do what you can to strengthen your claim.
How Can You Strengthen Your Claim?
As an injury victim, it’s on you to show the extent of your damages and strengthen your claim. The evidence that’s available is going to go a long way to doing this. First and foremost, though, you need to do the following after the accident to strengthen your claim:
- Get medical care immediately – Even if you believe your injuries are minor, calling an ambulance and seeing a doctor is vital. This takes care of any immediate injuries, as well as some injuries may not immediately show up.
- Report the accident – Call local police to the scene to create a report, which is crucial for your claim. Also, tell an employee or the Little Caesar’s manager to let them know. As the owner or manager of the property, they have to take certain steps to fix any problems.
- Exchange information – Get contact and insurance details from the involved driver(s) and any one at the restaurant. Provide your information as well.
- Gather witness statements – Collect contact information from witnesses as their statements can be valuable.
- Document the scene – Use your phone or camera to take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, injuries, property damage, and parking lot conditions.
- Inform your insurance company – Tell your insurance provider about the accident, regardless of fault, to keep them informed.
- Keep up with your treatment – Follow your doctor’s treatment plan for recovery, showing your commitment to getting better.
- Avoid admitting fault – Don’t discuss the accident with anyone except our lawyers or authorities and avoid admitting fault or making statements to insurance companies without our advice. Anything you say could be held against you in the claims process.
- Track damages – Keep records of how the accident has impacted your life, including missed work, emotional distress, and changes in daily routines.
- Preserve evidence – Retain records of medical treatment, bills, and other accident-related expenses for your case. We can also help you get security footage if it exists.
Taking these steps are very important to not only the strength of your claim, but your overall health and safety after the accident happens. If you don’t take these steps, it doesn’t change your options, but it makes your case for damages much harder to prove. Regardless, though, we can help you through this process. However, potential injuries can also complicate this part of the process.
What Are Typical Injuries in These Accidents?
One of the most difficult things about any pedestrian accident is the injuries it leaves you with, particularly when it happens in a parking lot. You might think the damage would be offset by the slower moving vehicle, but often, both you and the driver don’t have any time to react–or brace for impact. This, along with other circumstances, lead to a range of typical injuries:
- Fatalities resulting from severe head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal injuries, which may cause paralysis
- Fractures and broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Bruises and cuts
- Burns
- Emotional trauma, including depression, anxiety, or PTSD
Your injuries, like most other things about your case, are going to depend on how the accident happens. No matter what injuries you experience, though, it’s essential to take care of your health first. After that, you can start focusing on your legal options, and we’ll be there to support you.
Free Consultations After a Pedestrian Accident at a Little Caesar’s
Whenever you’re involved in a pedestrian accident in a Little Caesar’s parking lot, it can be incredibly frustrating. Not only could you be injured, but it was likely totally preventable. At Maison Law, our California pedestrian accident lawyers will be there to guide you through the legal process and help you make a recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation.
