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Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Picture yourself crossing the street when suddenly, a car heads straight for you. Such pedestrian incidents are not only terrifying but often result in serious injuries. The World Health Organization reports approximately 300,000 global deaths annually due to pedestrian accidents, a disturbing figure given the preventability of these tragedies. In the United States alone, about 7,000 people lose their lives in such accidents each year.

If you’re a pedestrian accident victim, we are here to help. Our dedicated attorneys are on standby 24/7 for a comprehensive evaluation of your case. We understand the overwhelming and traumatic nature of these incidents and are committed to supporting you every step of the way.

For those grieving the loss of someone in a pedestrian accident, our empathetic legal team is ready to provide emotional support and take charge of the legal proceedings, ensuring accountability from those responsible for the accident.

How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

In the aftermath of a pedestrian accident, numerous inquiries emerge about its cause, a question your lawyer will certainly explore. Despite traffic and pedestrian laws designed to prevent such incidents, accidents still occur.

Pedestrian accidents, particularly prevalent in busy cities like Los Angeles and Las Vegas, can be caused by a variety of factors. These incidents differ based on their specific location and circumstances. To address the unique aspects of your case, we suggest contacting us for a personalized evaluation.

Each of these factors can significantly increase the risk of pedestrian accidents, underscoring the need for careful evaluation and legal expertise in handling such cases.

Injuries from a Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrian accidents involve just about any type of vehicle, including buses, trucks, motorcycles, etc. Regardless of the type of car, however, these accidents are bound to lead to severe injuries.

Even a car moving at even the slowest of speeds hitting a pedestrian is going to be impactful and can cause serious personal injuries. As mentioned earlier, the statistics show that many pedestrians are treated each year in emergency rooms for their injuries.

Being hit by a moving vehicle can cause catastrophic injuries or death. Even the most moderate injuries can have a long-term impact on the victim’s life.

The following potential injuries from a pedestrian accident might include:

Even the slightest of these injuries can put a victim out of work, rack up large medical bills, and put them in deep financial debt. Often injuries connected to a pedestrian-vehicle accident need long-term medical care and rehabilitation.

Our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys will piece together exactly what happened to determine the cause of the pedestrian accident, while also holding the responsible parties liable for any damages.

How Can Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Help?

As the victim of a pedestrian accident, there are numerous ways an attorney will help you navigate your life following the accident.

You might find that your accident and healing consume your life and you need someone acting on your behalf. The more quickly you get a personal injury attorney on your case, the better.

From immediately following the accident, through your recovery, they can help to determine fault, navigate damages, and guide and advise along the way.

1. Finding Who Is at Fault for the Accident

Let’s go back to the cause of pedestrian accidents. One of the key elements of a pedestrian case is what caused it. Your attorney will look at the cause to figure out who is at fault for the accident.

They will scour the information from the scene of the accident. They might want to talk to witnesses of the accident, even though the police have already done this. Often people remember, something later that becomes important. This can become potential testimony later in the case. This is why it is important to get as much information as possible when an accident happens and document it all.

The attorney will also look closely at other evidence collected at the scene of the accident. With their expertise, they can figure out how the accident occurred.

The attorney will also evaluate all medical documents connected to the case.

Using these factors helps the attorney to establish who is at fault for the case.

2. Determining Damages and Compensation

If you are the victim you want your expenses related to the accident covered. It’s relatively easy to calculate the total medical costs by looking at bills as they accrue. You can also calculate lost wages because of the accident while you recover.

An attorney will also use many factors to add in damages for your pain and suffering. It’s a little harder to put a number on pain and suffering, and each case is different.

An experienced attorney will be able to look at all the factors in the case to help negotiate this number.

3. Insurance Mediator and Negotiator

An insurance company is going to want you to quickly accept an offer. They are in the business of offering the least amount they can get away with. They don’t want to pay out any more in damages than absolutely necessary.

Many insurance companies will even try to get to the victim before they have legal representation to get them to agree to a quick cash settlement. This is why you want to talk with a personal injury attorney first. Do not accept a cash offer without consulting with your attorney.

An important role your attorney will play is to act as a mediator between you and the insurance company. They will recognize when an offer is too low. Part of their job is to negotiate on your behalf.

4. Determine How to Proceed With Your Case

Often pedestrian accident cases get settled out of court. The two sides can come to an agreement on the settlement amount.

But not always. Your accident attorney will help to advise when it’s a good idea to proceed with the case to court. Because they have been involved with the case from the start, they’ll be able to represent you in the courtroom with all the information they’ve gathered from the onset.

This is another important reason you want an accident attorney as quickly as possible.

Strategies for Pedestrian Safety

Improving Pedestrian Visibility: One critical aspect of enhancing pedestrian safety is improving visibility, especially during night-time or in poor weather conditions. This can be achieved through street lighting improvements, reflective crosswalks, and pedestrian-activated warning systems. Pedestrians themselves can wear reflective clothing or use lights when walking in low visibility conditions.

Avoid Dangerous Behaviors: Pedestrian behavior often plays a role in the likelihood of an accident, so it is imperative to avoid behaviors that can make it more likely to be hit by a vehicle. This includes staying on proper walking surfaces such as the sidewalk, avoiding walking around near roadways while impaired, making eye contact with drivers to ensure you, the pedestrian, have been seen, avoiding texting while walking through roadway crossing or near roadways, and looking both ways before crossing a two-way road.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating drivers and pedestrians through public awareness campaigns can significantly reduce accidents. These campaigns can promote safe driving practices such as obeying speed limits and not driving under the influence, along with encouraging pedestrians to use crosswalks and follow traffic signals. Education programs in schools and community centers can also elevate the importance of pedestrian safety in community consciousness.

Legal and Insurance Complexities in Pedestrian Accidents

Navigating Insurance Claims: Following a pedestrian accident, dealing with insurance companies can be daunting. Insurance adjusters often attempt to settle claims quickly for less than their worth. A knowledgeable attorney can navigate these negotiations, ensuring that the compensation covers all medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. Understanding policy details and the fine print is crucial as they can significantly affect the compensation amount.

Legal Challenges and Solutions: Legal challenges in pedestrian accident cases often stem from proving negligence or liability. This involves complex legal arguments and sometimes conflicting evidence. Effective legal strategies include the use of traffic cam footage, eyewitness accounts, and reconstruction of the accident by experts to form a comprehensive view of the events. Attorneys play a vital role in translating these factual evidences into a robust legal argument that upholds the victim’s rights.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, California is the leading state in annual pedestrian deaths on roadways. Other key statistics included:

  • In 2018, over 14,000 pedestrians were injured and 893 pedestrians lost their lives in roadway accidents. This represented a 26% increase in pedestrian fatalities when compared to 2014.
  • Nearly 7,500 pedestrians have suffered fatal injuries as a result of roadway accidents in California between 2009 and 2018.
  • California’s pedestrian fatality rate is close to 25% higher than the national average across the United States.

Common Asked Pedestrian Accident Questions

Why is it crucial to hire a personal injury attorney following a pedestrian accident?

Hiring a personal injury attorney after a pedestrian accident is critical because these professionals have the skills to navigate the legal and insurance complexities of such cases. They help victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Additionally, they gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and can litigate the case in court if necessary. Attorneys are adept at proving fault and handling the legal procedures while allowing the victim to focus on recovery.

What types of injuries commonly occur in pedestrian accidents?

Pedestrian accidents typically result in serious injuries due to the unprotected nature of the pedestrian. Common injuries include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and severe lacerations or road rash. Some accidents may also lead to life-altering injuries like paralysis or even fatalities. Due to the severity of these injuries, long-term medical treatment and significant financial compensation are often required.

How do pedestrian accident attorneys determine fault in an accident?

Pedestrian accident attorneys determine fault by collecting and analyzing evidence from the accident scene, including surveillance footage, witness statements, and police reports. They also review the applicable traffic laws violated by the driver, such as speeding, ignoring traffic signals, or failing to yield right-of-way. Expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists may also be used to establish a clear narrative of the accident for establishing liability.

In what ways can a pedestrian accident attorney help increase the compensation amount from an insurance company?

A pedestrian accident attorney can significantly increase the compensation amount by negotiating effectively with insurance companies, who often offer low initial settlements. They expertly calculate total damages, including future medical costs and intangible losses like pain and suffering. Lawyers advocate on the client’s behalf, counter low offers, and build a strong case demonstrating the impact of the injuries on the client’s life.

What immediate steps should a pedestrian take if they are involved in an accident?

If a pedestrian is involved in an accident, the immediate steps include checking for injuries and seeking medical attention, even if the injuries seem minor. It’s important to report the accident to the police for an official record. The pedestrian should also gather contact information from witnesses and take photos of the scene, if possible. It’s advisable not to make detailed statements to insurance companies or sign any document without consulting an attorney.

What role do local laws play in pedestrian accidents and how can they affect the outcome of a case?

Local laws play a crucial role in determining fault in pedestrian accidents, as these laws define right-of-way, pedestrian responsibilities, and crossing rules. For instance, in some areas, pedestrians might not have the right-of-way at unmarked crosswalks. The outcome of a legal case can be significantly influenced by these laws, as violating them could establish negligence. An attorney well-versed in local traffic laws is essential in such cases.

Can pedestrian accident victims claim compensation if they were jaywalking at the time of the accident?

Yes, pedestrians involved in an accident while jaywalking can still potentially claim compensation. However, their compensation might be reduced based on the concept of comparative negligence, which adjusts the compensation amount according to the pedestrian’s degree of fault. An experienced attorney can assist in minimizing the impact of such factors on the claim.

How does the severity of injuries affect the outcome of a pedestrian accident lawsuit?

The severity of injuries significantly impacts the outcome of a pedestrian accident lawsuit. More severe injuries often result in higher compensation due to increased medical costs, long-term care requirements, loss of income, and pain and suffering. Detailed medical documentation and expert testimony are crucial in demonstrating the impact of the injuries on the victim’s life and financial needs.

What are the common challenges faced in pedestrian accident cases, and how do attorneys overcome them?

Common challenges in pedestrian accident cases include establishing fault, dealing with insurance adjusters, and attributing financial value to intangible damages like pain and suffering. Attorneys overcome these challenges by utilizing strong evidence, expert testimonies, and comprehensive documentation of damages. They also leverage their negotiation skills to counter low settlement offers from insurance companies.

Why is it important to act quickly after a pedestrian accident when seeking legal help?

It is crucial to act quickly after a pedestrian accident because evidence needs to be preserved, and witness memories are fresher immediately following the incident. Quick action also ensures compliance with statutory deadlines for filing personal injury claims, known as the statute of limitations. Prompt consultation with an attorney helps protect the victim’s rights and begin building a strong case for compensation.

Highly Rated Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Near Me

If you have been the victim of a pedestrian accident, you recognize many hurdles to overcome. You need to get past the physical and emotional trauma connected to this kind of accident.

You also need to protect your interests so you aren’t saddled with a mound of medical bills, lost wages, and other unforeseeable bills that may pile up while you recover. Getting a pedestrian accident attorney can help you to protect your interests.

If you have been involved in an accident and need representation, we can help. We offer free case consultations and are available 24/7 to evaluate your case. Contact us today so we can help protect your rights.