Have you been injured while crossing an intersection or walking along the street in Orange County? Pedestrian accidents involving collisions with cars can lead to serious and life-changing injuries. The consequences can be physically, financially, and emotionally devastating.
Many pedestrian accidents are caused by the negligence of drivers who are not looking out for people on foot. You may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries and financial losses.
The Orange County pedestrian injury attorneys at Sam & Ash Injury Law are dedicated to fighting for the rights of those injured through no fault of their own. When you need a strong advocate in your corner, Sam & Ash Injury Law is the Newport Beach law firm to call. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents typically happen when drivers do not see pedestrians or fail to yield the right of way when required. The following are common causes of pedestrian accidents:
- Distracted driving, such as texting while driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
- Driving too fast
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to check for pedestrians before turning
- Neglecting to check blind spots
- Distracted walking, such as walking while texting
- Walking against a traffic signal
- Malfunctioning traffic lights
- Poor road signage
- Wet or icy road conditions
What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Orange County
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, here are some crucial steps to take:
- Call the police: Report the accident to the police immediately. The police will collect evidence, interview the individuals involved, take pictures, and in some instances, make a preliminary determination of the at-fault party. All this information, including the date, time, location, and road conditions, will be documented in a police report. This report will be important evidence in your pedestrian accident claim.
- Seek medical attention: Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries, including some that may not be immediately evident such as internal bleeding. If an ambulance does not respond to the accident, seek medical evaluation and treatment. It is always advisable to seek medical attention after a pedestrian accident, no matter how seemingly minor the injuries are. Not only will medical professionals be able to spot signs of a more serious condition, but your medical visit will create documentation of your injuries for your pedestrian accident claim.
- Hire an Orange County pedestrian accident lawyer: While you are recovering from your injuries, let an experienced professional pursue compensation for your needs. An attorney who is knowledgeable of the causes and consequences of pedestrian accidents can investigate your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate your rights and interests.
How Can Pedestrian Accidents Be Prevented?
Both pedestrians and drivers have important roles in preventing pedestrian accidents.
Drivers should:
- Always be on the lookout for pedestrians
- Drive with caution in areas of heavy foot traffic
- Always obey the speed limit, especially in areas with sidewalks, school zones, and neighborhoods
- Drive slowly when approaching a crosswalk and be prepared to stop for pedestrians
- Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and provide plenty of space between your car and the crosswalk
- Check for people on foot crossing behind a car before backing up or backing out of a parking space
- Avoid having to stop suddenly for pedestrians, as it may cause drivers behind you to rear-end your vehicle and injure pedestrians in front of you
- Never attempt to pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk
Pedestrians should:
- Be alert when walking in areas with heavy traffic and refrain from using your cell phone while walking
- Wear bright or reflective clothing in the early morning or evening hours to be more visible
- Use crosswalks to cross roadways whenever possible
- Look both directions before crossing a roadway
- Use sidewalks whenever they are available
- When sidewalks are not available, walk in the direction facing traffic and with as much distance from passing vehicles as possible
- Be especially cautious at the entrances and exits to driveways or parking lots
- Use caution when walking through parking and stay alert for cars backing up
Damages for Pedestrian Accident Victims
If you were a victim in a pedestrian accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to seek compensation for accident-related expenses and losses, including:
- Medical bills for emergency care and treatment after the accident
- Ongoing medical treatment and care such as surgical procedures and physical therapy
- Lost wages from time out of work while recovering
- Loss of future earning potential due to long-term consequences of your injuries
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages in rare instances when the at-fault driver’s behavior was particularly outrageous
Pedestrian Accidents and Serious Injuries
Pedestrians may sustain serious or fatal injuries if struck by a moving vehicle, even one moving at lower speeds. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a pedestrian was killed in an accident approximately every 88 minutes in a recent year. Additionally, 137,000 pedestrians were sent to emergency rooms with accident-related injuries.
Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents
The Orange County pedestrian accident lawyers at Sam & Ash Injury Law represent people injured in all types of pedestrian accidents, including:
- Accidents at crosswalks
- Accidents at unmarked crosswalks
- Accidents at intersections
- Accidents in parking lots
- Accidents involving failure to yield
- Driver violations of road signs and traffic lights
- Hit-and-run accidents involving injured pedestrians
- Accidents at night or in poor lighting
- Accidents involving loss of control of the vehicle
Types of Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
When a pedestrian is hit by a car, generally the lower half of the body comes into contact with the vehicle first, followed by the head and upper extremities. This impact can result in devastating injuries. The Newport Beach pedestrian injury attorneys at Sam & Ash Injury Law are committed to pursuing compensation for victims, including those with the following injuries:
- Severe cuts, burns, and bruises
- Broken bones or soft tissue injuries, such as torn ligaments
- Internal bleeding
- Dental injuries
- Facial injuries requiring reconstructive work
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Loss of limb
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
Determining Liability in a Pedestrian Accident
Many people assume that when it comes to pedestrian accidents, the driver is always at fault. But either a motorist or pedestrian may be at fault.
According to California law, a driver must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing a roadway at a marked crosswalk or an intersection.
But pedestrians still have a duty to act responsibly for their own safety. Pedestrians cannot step out suddenly in front of an oncoming car, creating a situation in which the driver doesn’t have adequate time to stop safely and avoid hitting the person in the path of the vehicle.
In some scenarios, both the driver and pedestrian may be found partially at fault for an accident. A driver who was driving too fast when approaching a crosswalk and a pedestrian who was distracted by their cell phone and stepped out in front of the car could both be held liable.
There are some situations where neither the driver nor the pedestrian is legally liable for the accident. For example, if a driver strikes a pedestrian because the intersection traffic lights in the area malfunction, the government entity responsible for operating the traffic lights could be liable for the accident.
The pedestrian lawyers at Sam & Ash Injury Law in Orange County, CA, understand what it takes to prove liability in these cases. Once we determine why an accident happened, the pedestrian accident team at Sam & Ash Injury Law will go to work proving liability by the responsible party. Our attorneys conduct prompt investigations and seek evidence to build a compelling case for our client to be properly compensated. We do the legal legwork, so you can focus on your health and recovery.
We are not afraid to push back against insurance companies that try to deny claims. We will stop at nothing to pursue the maximum compensation for our Orange County clients.
Contact an Orange County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Orange County, CA, contact the experienced pedestrian injury attorneys at Sam & Ash Injury Law. We can aggressively pursue compensation for your injuries and financial needs while you focus on healing and recovery. After years of representing Orange County pedestrian accident victims, we know the pain and disruption serious pedestrian accidents can cause. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve What’s Right. Call us today for a free case review. We are ready to help.
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