Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles

A walk can do the body good, but not if it leads to the negligence of others leaving you injured. An inattentive driver who fails to follow the rules of the road threatens the well-being of everyone around them, but especially people who are walking beside or near the road.

A dedicated attorney understands the tremendous toll a pedestrian accident can take on you and your loved ones and could help you seek the justice you deserve if you fall victim to a motorist’s carelessness. If you were struck by a driver while walking, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Claremont and Pasadena can help you seek to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, and diminished quality of life.

How Common Are Pedestrian Deaths in California?

While the Governors Highway Safety Association reports that the number of fatal pedestrian accidents fell 11 percent in California in 2016 even as the national number surged by the same percentage, the state has long topped all others in the U.S. when it comes to pedestrian deaths. Moreover, some 700 Californian pedestrians still died that year.

According to California Vehicle Code §21950(a), a vehicle driver must yield right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the road in either a marked or unmarked crosswalk. A qualified California pedestrian accident attorney can help someone prove the blame lies with the driver of the car that struck them based on a violation of this law or any others that are relevant. Specifically, a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer in Claremont and Pasadena can help with gathering witness statements, taking and analyzing photos of the accident scene, and reviewing police reports in detail.

Frequent Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Every pedestrian accident case is unique depending on the circumstances and persons involved, but the reasons for such collisions are typically similar. Specifically, the injuries pedestrians sustain from these incidents are often due to a motorist’s failure to obey the rules of the road, like running a red light, ignoring a stop sign, or driving over the speed limit.

A driver may also be distracted and according fail to keep their eyes on the road at all times. Talking and texting on a cell phone are frequently to blame for this inattentiveness. In addition, driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can impair a driver’s vision and reflexes, making it difficult not to collide into a pedestrian they should otherwise be able to avoid hitting. Any of these scenarios can serve as grounds for a pedestrian accident lawsuit based on legal negligence.

A Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer can work with an injured pedestrian to prove fault on the part of the motorist who caused their pain. Furthermore, an attorney can help make a case for the harm and expenses their potential client incurred as a result, advocating on their behalf for financial compensation and restitution for their suffering.

Compensation for Victims of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accident victims in California can seek compensation from the person responsible for their injuries. Though every case is different, victims frequently pursue settlements to include a variety of different costs.

Medical Bills

Not just limited to the cost of care received immediately after a wreck, a settlement can also include the cost of an ambulance ride to the hospital, prescription medications, and ongoing care like physical therapy appointments.

Lost Wages

When a person is injured in a pedestrian accident, they often must take time off work to recuperate. Unfortunately, many times this means forgoing a much-needed paycheck. A settlement can ensure the victim can still pay their bills in the wake of an accident.

Pain and Suffering

No amount of money can undo the pain endured by a victim of a pedestrian accident. What compensation can do, however, is facilitate a quicker and easier healing process, and provide some level of comfort going forward.

Punitive Damages

When the at-fault driver in an accident was especially negligent behind the wheel, the victim may be awarded punitive damages. These serve as a deterrent to discourage the driver from ever acting so recklessly again.

Talk to a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

If you are hit by an auto driver while walking, then you may need assistance from a Claremont and Pasadena lawyer who possesses the knowledge and experience to accurately assess the facts of your case and help you recover damages. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may have the right to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and loss of future income earnings.

A Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer can work to structure a claim that puts you and your needs first. Be aware, though, that California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 allows plaintiffs just two years to file a claim for injuries incurred because of another person’s negligent behavior, so schedule a consultation as soon as possible before too much time passes.