Pedestrian Injury Accident Attorneys
Need a California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Who Will Fight For You To Get The Most Money For Your Injuries?
When we set out on foot in our neighborhoods or in a big city, most of us are careful to obey the safety rules we learned as children—using crosswalks and looking both ways before crossing the street. Some of us may have a false sense of security, assuming that we are safe because we are following the rules. However, pedestrian accidents are all too common, even when the pedestrian is doing what they can to stay safe.
Accidents involving a vehicle and a pedestrian can be some of the most horrific incidents you can see on the roads. As a pedestrian walking along a road, you have no protection against the force of impact from a car that outweighs you by a few thousand pounds. Without protection, you can suffer fatal injuries even if the car is going slowly when it strikes you.
In most of these cases, the accident is caused by the negligence of the driver and, often, their failure to notice the pedestrian. Let’s take a closer look at pedestrian-involved car accidents and what you can do if you are struck by a vehicle while walking.
Call My Rights Law’s Pedestrian Accidents Attorneys If You Have Been Injured
Don’t just hire any law firm to resolve your matter if you have been involved in a pedestrian accident. The motor vehicle accident lawyers at My Rights Law are all about helping clients obtain the best resolutions to their situations. With your consultation, we will thoroughly evaluate your situation and advise you on your legal options. Most injured pedestrians’ cases are handled by the firm on a contingency fee basis, which means that you are not charged attorney’s fees unless you prevail in your case. To request a free consultation with My Rights Law personal injury attorneys, call (888) 702-8882 or leave us a message on our contact form.
- 1. Call My Rights Law’s Pedestrian Accidents Attorneys If You Have Been Injured
- 2. Reasons For Pedestrian Accidents
- 3. Foot Traffic
- 4. Bigger Cars
- 5. Bad Driving
- 6. How Can I Avoid A Pedestrian Accident?
- 7. What Are Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
- 8. Finding A Lawyer To Defend You In A Car Pedestrian Accident
- 9. California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- 10. Fatal Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- 11. Pedestrian Injury Accident Lawyer
Reasons For Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents have been increasing over the last several years. Nationwide, it is estimated that 6,590 pedestrians were killed in accidents in 2019, up 300 from 2018, and that pedestrians accounted for 17% of all vehicle-related deaths. While some of the pedestrian fatalities could be attributed to unsafe actions of pedestrians, such as darting out in front of vehicles or not using designated crosswalks, the vast majority of pedestrian injuries and fatalities were caused by driver error.
Foot Traffic
Traffic safety experts have put forth many ideas as to why there has been an increase in pedestrian accidents and deaths over the last several years. Increases in pedestrian foot traffic and bicycle traffic, particularly in growing cities, have led to more opportunities for drivers to accidentally hit a pedestrian. Also, drivers have gotten more and more distracted over the years by cell phone use within vehicles, meaning they are more likely to take their eyes off of the road for several seconds at a time, which is enough time to overlook and hit someone crossing the street or riding a bicycle.
Bigger Cars
The increased size of vehicles on the roads in recent years is also partially to blame for the rise in fatalities. A growing number of people have been purchasing SUVs, and car manufacturers have increased the overall size of SUVs over the years. Vehicles essentially become deadlier weapons the larger they are, making it more likely that a pedestrian will be killed if struck. A large SUV can weigh well over a couple of tons. In the past ten years, pedestrian fatalities caused by SUVs have increased 81%. Pedestrian deaths due to regular-sized cars did not see as significant of an increase.
Bad Driving
Increased unsafe driving, such as speeding and alcohol use, has also accounted for some of the upticks. Even though vehicles themselves have become safer with new safety features now built into many cars, people’s unsafe driving habits have increased. For example, in 2018, about half of the pedestrian deaths involved some kind of impairment from alcohol use, either by the pedestrian or the driver. Relatedly, nighttime pedestrian deaths increased by 67% from 2009 to 2018, whereas a similar increase was not seen in daytime pedestrian accidents. Daytime pedestrian fatalities only increased 16% during the same time period. Experts have suggested that the notable increase in nighttime accidents could be due to warmer weather, which may encourage more people to get out and socialize in the evenings, often to participate in activities involving the consumption of alcohol.
How Can I Avoid A Pedestrian Accident?
Knowing that there are so many pedestrian accidents each year probably concerns anyone who walks a lot or rides a bicycle. As a pedestrian or cyclist, there are things that you can do to protect yourself and to lessen the risk of being struck by a car or truck while walking or riding your bike.
- Pay attention. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid any distractions, such as looking at your phone while crossing the road or wearing headphones.
- Look both ways. As your parents taught you as a child, always look both ways before crossing the street. You would be amazed by the number of adults who still don’t do this when crossing busy roads. This is one common way in which pedestrians contribute to car accidents.
- Be more visible. Make yourself more visible, especially if you’re walking at dusk or at night. Avoid wearing dark or black clothing, and instead, put on reflective or brightly colored clothing when walking or riding your bike. At night, use a flashlight when walking or a front and back bicycle light when cycling so that you can be seen from far away.
- Use crosswalks. It is important to use designated crossing areas with visible crosswalk road markings – do not jay walk across the middle of the road when there is a crosswalk fifty feet away. Make sure that you are crossing the road where drivers expect, as they are more likely to be vigilant in checking for pedestrians.
What Are Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
An unprotected pedestrian taking the full impact of a two-ton SUV can obviously cause significant, traumatic, and life-threatening injuries. Even low-speed impact by a regular- or smaller-sized car can still cause significant and disabling injuries. As pedestrian accident lawyers, we have seen the full range of injuries suffered by our clients. Some of the more common are the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, and closed head injuries
- Injuries to the back, neck, or discs in the spine
- Paralysis due to spinal cord injuries
- Broken, fractured, and dislocated bones throughout the body
- Shoulder injuries and rotator cuff tears
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Amputations of the limbs
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
Obviously, most of these types of injuries can require significant medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and medication. Many people who are hit by a car or truck may be disabled from work and experience months, if not years, of wage loss and earning potential. This financial hit can be devastating for a family.
Finding A Lawyer To Defend You In A Car Pedestrian Accident
As a pedestrian, if you are seriously injured in an accident due to the negligence or carelessness of a driver, you will probably wonder about your legal options, including what it takes to get compensated by them. During one of the most traumatic times of your life, you may also have to worry about who will pay for the medical bills you’re incurring every day. If you are not able to work, how will you pay your mortgage or rent, utilities, or grocery expenses, much less the additional medical bills?
You should not have to handle this burden on your own. For answers to these questions and assistance in weighing your options, you should talk to an attorney who has helped countless injured pedestrians seek the compensation they deserved for their injuries. We will sit down with you for as long as it takes to answer your questions honestly and with compassion. You need lawyers on your side who will fight for your rights and for the fair and reasonable compensation that can assist you and your family while you recover.
While every case is different, there are a few different types of monetary damages that people commonly seek in pedestrian-involved accidents. These may include:
- Medical bills: This figure includes past-due medical bills from treatment for your injuries from the accident, plus the cost of any related medical treatment that you may need in the future.
- Lost wages: If you were unable to work due to your injuries, you might be compensated for any wages that you were not able to earn after the accident. This figure could also include any future lost wages if you continue to be unable to work, as well as any lost earning capacity. Lost earning capacity generally means having a permanent disability that prevents you from maintaining any substantial, gainful employment. It could also mean having to go into a different line of work because of physical or cognitive limitations caused by the accident that prevent you from holding your prior job.
- Pain and suffering: This figure is harder to calculate because it is more complicated than just adding up unpaid medical bills or calculating your lost salary. “Pain and suffering” is an intangible concept that is supposed to compensate you for the pain, discomfort, loss of pleasure in life, and any other suffering you have experienced due to the injuries. An attorney who has handled many pedestrian accidents and injuries may be able to give you an idea as to how much this figure might be, depending upon the specifics of your case.
California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Serious accidents involving pedestrians crossing the street in California can happen in the blink of an eye. If you’ve been injured or a loved one has been killed in a pedestrian accident, you deserve justice. My Rights Law is here to help. Our team of experienced attorneys understand the laws governing pedestrian accidents in California and are committed to helping those affected fight for their rights. With our legal representation, you can feel confident that you’ll receive the financial compensation and justice that you deserve. Don’t wait—if you’ve been in a pedestrian accident, contact My Rights Law today and let us fight for you.
Fatal Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
At My Rights Law, we understand how devastating an unexpected fatal accident can be to a family’s well-being and peace of mind. If your loved one has been killed in a pedestrian accident, you could be entitled to compensation. Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping families affected by these tragedies during what is often an emotionally challenging time. With years of experience representing clients in fatal pedestrian accidents, we have the knowledge and resources to fight for justice on behalf of those affected. We dedicate ourselves to providing compassionate and personalized legal services with a focus on achieving the best possible outcome for our clients. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn more about how we may be able to help you.
Pedestrian Injury Accident Lawyer
Every day, people rely on their feet to take them to work and back home safely – but when negligent drivers ignore the rules of the road, a pedestrian collision can result in life-altering medical care and financial losses. If you or a loved one were injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a distracted, drunk, or at-fault driver, the legal team at My Rights Law is here to help. We understand how pedestrian collisions can cause catastrophic injuries, such as nerve damage, physical pain, and emotional distress – not to mention maximum compensation for every aspect of your damages, from loss of enjoyment to funeral expenses.
With decades of combined experience representing pedestrians who were injured due to another party’s negligence, we are committed to recovering fair and just settlements for our clients – punitive damages for wrongful death, if need be. We’ll begin with an in-depth examination of the accident scene and police report, followed by a thorough investigation of witness statements and insurance providers. Our firm will also ensure that all liable parties comply with their duty of care and uphold pedestrian laws.
At My Rights Law, we strive to help our clients recover physically, financially and emotionally through aggressive legal representation – so you can focus on recovering your health while we pursue justice and maximum compensation on your behalf. We understand the frustration and uncertainty that comes with being injured in a pedestrian accident. We are dedicated to helping you receive a fair settlement for your personal injury claim. We have earned trust and have developed expertise in handling complex pedestrian accident cases, including those involving unmarked crosswalks or bodily injury.
Our team of dedicated attorneys is passionate about fighting for justice for our clients who have suffered serious common injuries such as head trauma, broken bones, back and neck injuries, and psychological trauma. We are committed to advocating for a full and fair settlement on behalf of the victims of the negligent driver.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact us at My Rights Law today. Let us fight for your rights and get you the fair settlement you deserve.