With so much scenic beauty and natural wonders, Clearlake offers many great outdoor activities for people of all ages. Whether they are out walking, shopping, or taking a leisure stroll through town, there is always a risk of a pedestrian accident.

Injuries sustained by pedestrian accidents can be devastating and severe. If you or a family member has been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver in Clearlake, you will need the insight of an experienced injury lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us at (707) 564-1900 for a free consultation. Our legal team at AutoAccident.com has assisted clients in Northern California with pedestrian accidents since 1982.

Pedestrian accidents have been on the rise in the last few years. According to a recent report by the Governors Highway Traffic Safety Association (GHSA), pedestrian deaths in the United States have increased by 21% between 2019 and 2020.

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reports that pedestrians being severely injured or killed on California roadways is worsening. According to statistics:

• 893 pedestrians were killed, and over 14,000 were injured in 2018
• Pedestrian deaths increased by 26% percent between 2014 and 2018
• Almost 7,500 pedestrians were killed between 2009 and 2018
• Pedestrian deaths aged 65 and older increased by 1.9% between 2018 and 2019
• The pedestrian death rate is nearly 25% higher than the national average

Most pedestrian accidents are caused by the negligence of a motorist. One of the most common causes is driver inattentiveness due to texting or talking on a cell phone, applying make-up, setting up a GPS, eating, or other activities. Another common cause is driver confusion, especially if the motorist is unfamiliar with the area.

Aggressive driving is one of the leading causes of many pedestrian accidents in busy cities. That’s because motorists are likelier to display fits of road rage and violate traffic signals, resulting in unsafe speeds and illegal turning.

Other common types of pedestrian injury accidents include:

• Crosswalk accidents: An accident can still occur in a marked crosswalk when the motorist does not see the pedestrian and continues through it without stopping.
• Drunk drivers: an inebriated driver can’t comprehend distance because their cognitive function is not working correctly.
• Backup accidents happen when the driver tries to back out of a parking stall or leaves their driveway. Larger vehicles like pickup trucks and SUVs have a more challenging time seeing a pedestrian, especially young children.
• Failure to yield occurs when a motorist fails to yield to the pedestrian in or outside a crosswalk.
• Driving on the sidewalk: Not all pedestrian collisions occur on roadways. A driver can sometimes veer up onto the sidewalk, hitting a pedestrian. This happens when the motorist loses control of their car, has a medical emergency, or is drunk.

The video below discusses some reasons why pedestrian fatalities are on the rise.

A severe or even life-threatening injury from a pedestrian accident can have a significant financial and emotional impact on your life. Your injury could cause you to be out of work, require expensive medical treatment, and receive mounting medical bills. If your pedestrian accident was caused by another person’s negligence, consider filing an injury claim to recover compensation for your damages. A personal injury attorney can discuss the elements of a claim with you, how each element relates to your specific case, and give you a better understanding of what to expect from the claim process.

If you have been injured by a driver in a pedestrian accident, you may pursue compensation for the following damages:

• Medical expenses include ambulance services, hospital fees, prescriptions, surgeries, and physical therapy.
• Lost wages from the inability to work.
• Pain and suffering during and after the accident.
• Emotional trauma includes anxiety, depression, fear, and other emotions.
• Loss of the enjoyment of life from activities you once enjoyed and can no longer participate in.
• Your spouse can recover the loss of consortium damages if you can no longer maintain intimacy.
• Punitive damages if the accident was intentional or especially egregious. The awards for punitive damages are in addition to your compensation and are often much higher.

A pedestrian accident can cause life-altering consequences for you and your family. If you have suffered a severe injury in a pedestrian accident in or near the Clearlake area, please call our experienced Clearlake pedestrian accident lawyers at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice. See our past verdicts and settlements.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 9.5.23] Image by Surprising_Shots from Pixabay cha llo [cs 804]}