Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorneys – Los Angeles is one of the most congested cities in the entire country, and that just goes to show that pedestrian accidents are an avoidable part of life here. In fact, California led the way in pedestrian accidents in 2014 and 2015, according to the LA Times. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 requires drivers to use extra caution when approaching a pedestrian and yield the right of way when inside a marked or unmarked crosswalk. This therefore means that the driver must take all precautions related to operating the vehicle to ensure the safety of the pedestrian. It’s a shame that most drivers just focus on the other drivers while ignoring pedestrians. This results in thousands of pedestrian injuries and deaths – and usually through no fault of their own.
Taking your eyes off the road even for a few seconds or looking the other way is like traveling the same distance with your eyes closed. Such accidents mostly happen when there is heavy pedestrian traffic, but can also happen in areas with few people on foot. The most common areas where pedestrian and vehicle accidents occur include pedestrian crossings, bars, road shoulders and street corners.
Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles, contact a Los Angeles personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The actions you take immediately after your accident are critical because they will affect your recovery in one way or another. Our attorneys will guide you through the legal process to ensure that your legal rights are preserved. We will answer all your questions about the case. Call us today at 424-231-2013 for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Pedestrian Accident And Personal Injury Lawyer
In most cases, pedestrian accidents are the result of driver inattention or negligence. This is not to say that pedestrians are always blameless, but the fact is that most drivers find it difficult to operate their vehicles safely around pedestrians. The following are some of the ways drivers cause these accidents:
The average weight of a vehicle is more than two tons. This therefore implies that even at low speed the force involved is sufficient to cause serious damage to a human body which is fragile. Therefore the victims who survive often suffer serious catastrophic injuries such as:
When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, it is likely that the first impact will occur in the area around the thighs and pelvis. This can lead to more broken bones. Broken bones can take months to heal depending on the severity, and this means that the injured person may end up losing their ability to do normal life activities or go to work.
A pedestrian can end up suffering from traumatic brain injuries, especially due to the fact that they have nothing to protect themselves when the accident occurs. Some of these injuries can be temporary, while others can be permanent, leading to a complete change in one’s life. Traumatic brain injuries can have negative effects on the victim’s physical and mental health.
Mission Viejo Pedestrian Accident Attorney
When a pedestrian accident occurs, it means that two things were involved, and that is a human body and a vehicle. Therefore, there is a chance that the injured person may end up sustaining internal organ damage and internal bleeding, which can lead to death if not checked immediately after the accident.
When a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, the impact is so powerful that it can lead to concussions and serious head injuries. The victim can be hit directly in the head or thrown to hit something when they land.
A pedestrian accident can also cause amputation injuries. If a person suffers from broken bones, which are then accompanied by severe tissue and blood vessel damage, they may end up with an amputated limb. This can be done either at the scene of the accident or later in the hospital if the doctor does not see an opportunity to save the limb.
Recovery from such serious injuries can take months or even years, and it also means that the victim can end up with permanent disabilities. In addition to these physical injuries, there is the psychological trauma that hinders the injured person’s ability to perform normal life functions and enjoy life. Apart from the excessive pain experienced, these injuries also result in staggering medical expenses. This will bring a heavy burden on you and your loved ones due to the negligence of the driver. If you are in such a situation, you should seek the help of a qualified personal injury attorney to help you deal with the burden.
What You Need To Know If You’re A Pedestrian Hit By A Car
One of the first questions clients ask Los Angeles personal injury attorneys is, “Who is responsible?” There are three areas of liability in pedestrian accidents and these include:
Pedestrians have a responsibility to act responsibly and follow the traffic rules and laws. A pedestrian should only walk on crosswalks and pedestrian lights, and this therefore means avoiding areas where pedestrian traffic is prohibited, such as along highways. A driver is obliged to always give way to a pedestrian, but there are situations where drivers followed all the rules but could not avoid hitting a pedestrian who suddenly jumped in front of the car. In a situation where the pedestrian is drunk at the time of the accident, it is unlikely that the driver will be held responsible or face consequences in court.
A majority of pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles are usually the result of a driver’s negligence or wrongdoing. If the driver ignores the rules, drives drunk or distracted, or drives at high speed, then they are responsible for the accident. Even if the pedestrian is also at fault, the driver may still be liable. Such drivers can be sued for various types of negligence and even for wrongful death. In extreme cases, a driver can face both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit. A motorist who hits a pedestrian and drives off will be charged with hit and run.
There are times when a pedestrian accident is not the fault of the driver or the pedestrian. Weather conditions can play a big role if visibility was difficult and the driver was unable to stop in time because they could not see a pedestrian. There are also situations where the accident is not the fault of the pedestrian, the driver or the environment, but another party is responsible. This happens in case of a defective product or poorly constructed or maintained roads. This simply implies that the accident may be the fault of the city or public authority involved or of the property owner. These parties can also be held responsible for the accident.
California Pedestrian Accident Attorney
According to the California Vehicle Code, Chapter 5, drivers are expected not only to yield to pedestrians, but also to take care to avoid injuring a pedestrian in marked or unmarked crosswalks. This therefore means that even in cases where the pedestrian was negligent, the driver can share responsibility and the injured party can still be entitled to compensation. But when two or more parties are involved, determining responsibility can be complicated.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian in Los Angeles, it is important to speak with a personal injury attorney to explore your options for seeking compensation. Call us today at 424-231-2013 for a free case evaluation.
When it comes to pedestrian accident cases, there are two types of compensation available. The compensation is for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages involve billable damages such as medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost wages and future earnings. Non-economic damages refer to more intangible, personal costs such as emotional distress, pain and suffering. Although it is impossible to quantify non-economic damages, their effects can be mitigated to some extent by monetary compensation.
Most personal injury cases involve negotiation with the insurance company. The driver’s insurance company must be responsible for covering the full cost of your damages and losses. However, you may find yourself in front of a mass insurance company intent on limiting your claim. Insurance companies always present themselves with an interest in your case, but in reality their goal is to make money for their shareholders by generating more profits. Therefore, their goal is to use tactics that will reduce the payout as much as possible.
Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you want to get maximum recovery for your injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one, you should seek the help of an attorney who understands the strategies you need to use to contract an insurance company. Do not speak directly to the insurance company involved or accept anything they tell you without an attorney. At our law firm, we will take a firm stand with the insurance company to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve after a pedestrian accident.
In California, there is a statute that sets a time limit for you to file a lawsuit. After a pedestrian accident in California, you have two years to file a lawsuit from the date of
