Runner and Jogger Accidents in San Antonio
Going out for a run is a great way to clear your mind, get your heart pumping, and work up a sweat. Unfortunately, there is always a risk when your running route takes you across streets. Drivers do not always see you jogging along, and you may not see a car approaching the road you are crossing. If you are struck by a car, you could be dealing with broken bones, burns, internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, brain trauma, and more.
Runner and jogger accidents in San Antonio are never something we like to hear about, but they do happen. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident while running or jogging, contact a pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible.
Running Accidents that Involve Negligent Drivers
Most drivers are alert and will react with care to a jogger who is crossing the street in a crosswalk. Some drivers are negligent and will fail to see the jogger or will be driving too recklessly to avoid hitting the jogger. Examples of negligent drivers include:
- Drowsy drivers
- Drivers who are speeding
- Drivers who ignore traffic signs
- Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Drivers distracted by their phones, food, passengers, or something else
When a negligent driver hits a jogger or any type of pedestrian in San Antonio, it is considered a breach of duty. The driver had a duty of care toward the pedestrian, and they breached it by being negligent and harming the pedestrian. If this breach of duty caused injuries, then the injured person has a right to hold the negligent driver liable and collect damages.
How Insurance Companies Typically Respond to an Injury
In a runner accident that happens in San Antonio, the negligent driver’s insurance company is supposed to help pay for the expenses created by the accident. Insurance companies do not want to pay out money. They want to make money. That is why it is best to have a lawyer on hand after an accident.
Our lawyers understand the way insurance companies try to offer low compensation right away before the injured person even knows the full extent of the injury. An experienced attorney can work in the injured person’s best interests, making sure the negligent driver is held accountable and their insurance company does not avoid their responsibility.
Comparative Negligence Laws and Jogger Accidents
Insurance companies and their lawyers will also be quick to cast blame on the runner or jogger. They may say the runner is partially at fault for the accident. This is because Texas has modified comparative negligence laws which say the injured person must have less than 51% of the fault in order to collect damages. If, for instance, the injured person had 20% of the fault, the amount of damages awarded would be reduced by 20%. If the injured person had 52% of the fault, they would not be allowed to collect damages at all.
A San Antonio attorney can perform a thorough investigation of the runner or jogger accident to determine fault and build a solid case to help ensure the injured person gets the maximum amount of damages they deserve.
Types of Compensation in a Runner or Jogger Accident
Compensation is determined by the amount of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages may include expenses associated with medical care, hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, therapy, and more. They could also include lost wages.
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering that is a result of the injury, disfigurement, permanent disability, or loss of enjoyment of life. A personal injury attorney will take all these things into consideration when evaluating the jogging accident in San Antonio.
Schedule a Consultation with a San Antonio Attorney Who Handles Runner and Jogger Accidents
Runner and jogger accidents in San Antonio can change your life in an instant. Make sure you have a lawyer on your side to help you deal with insurance companies and protect your right to compensation. At Felix Gonzalez Law Firm, we help you every step of the way. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
