Cameron Park Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrians have no protection.  When a pedestrian is struck by a negligent vehicle driver, the injuries sustained can be catastrophic and disabling, such as broken bones, internal injuries, and traumatic brain injury.  Pedestrians are at risk when crossing the street, walking across a driveway, strolling through a parking lot, or even just standing on the sidewalk.  With the epidemic of distracted driving, pedestrians must be more careful traveling on foot than ever before.  If you have been hit by a car while walking, a Cameron Park pedestrian accident lawyer can help protect your rights.

Crucial Steps to Take Following a Pedestrian Accident

If you were struck by a vehicle while using a crosswalk, or in any other circumstance, the first thing you need to do is seek medication attention.  Even if you think you are okay, it is important to get checked out.  You may have injuries that are not immediately obvious, such as internal bleeding or a concussion.  It is also important to have the incident and your physical condition documented by a medical professional if you move forward with a personal injury claim against the driver that struck you.

Make Sure a Police Report is Filed

If you are able, call the police following the incident.  Again, even if you think your injuries are “not that bad,” it is crucial that such a collision is documented.  Not only for your injury claim, but in the larger sense of tracking pedestrian accidents within our community.  Knowing that an area is a “hot spot” for such incidents, for example, can lead to improved safety measures.

Gather Information from the Driver

The best-case scenario is that the police respond to the scene and facilitate the exchange of information.  However, even if that does not happen, you need to ensure that the following information is gathered at the scene:

• Driver’s name, phone number, and driver’s license information
• The driver’s automobile insurance information
• Vehicle make, model, year, and color
• Photographs of the car and the scene
• Photographs of any visible injuries you sustained
• Names and contact information for any witnesses to the incident

Not every incident will take place in front of independent witnesses, but their account of the event will be incredibly helpful in a personal injury claim if they come forward.  Sometimes it is difficult to determine fault in a he-said-she-said scenario.  If there is a witness who can lend credence to your account of the incident, the determination of driver fault will be much easier to acquire.

Make Notes

Keep a journal of events that happen after the collision, including medical appointments, missed time from work, and accounts of how your daily activities are affected by your injuries.  It is also beneficial if you take photographs of any visible injuries regularly during the healing process.  Having a timeline of how the incident affected your life is valuable information in a legal case.

Seek Out Skilled Legal Counsel

Once you have been released from medical care, the next important step is to call an experienced Cameron Park pedestrian accident lawyer.  A skilled attorney will explain your legal options and the remedies that you may be entitled to.  During the no-obligation consultation, you will tell the attorney the facts of the incident.  A good lawyer will have many questions about your medical condition and how the injuries are negatively affecting your life.  

Reasons for Hiring a Cameron Park Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Protecting Your Rights from the Beginning.  The gathering of crucial evidence should take place as quickly as possible following the incident.  Having an attorney on board right away will ensure that all early investigation is completed.  You will also feel more secure in the whole process of bringing a personal injury claim because you will have an experienced advocate that can answer all of your many questions.  That peace of mind means you can focus on healing from your injuries.  Additionally, there are time limits within which your claim must be settled, or a lawsuit must be filed.  In California, it is usually within two years from the accident date, but there are certain instances where that time limit may be shorter (or longer).  An attorney will make sure your claim is protected.  

You Won’t Have to Deal with the Insurance Adjuster.   If you have been involved in an accident before, you know that insurance adjusters begin calling right away with requests for statements, questions about your injuries, and even attempts to get you to settle immediately for a minimal amount of money.  An insurance adjuster is not your friend - most especially the adjuster who works for the driver's insurance company that hit you.  Their entire purpose is to protect the bottom line of their employer, so the goal is to pay as little money on your claim as possible.  They even try to get you to say things that may hurt your claim.  Once you hire an attorney, you no longer have to field these calls.  At our firm, we find that dealing with insurance adjusters is one of the main reasons people call for our help.  

Talented Representation at Trial.  If your claim is unable to be settled informally, a lawsuit will need to be filed.  After the matter ends up in court, discovery will begin - this involves written questions, document production, depositions, and possible a defense medical examination.  It is especially important for you to have skilled legal counsel during litigation and trial.  A good attorney will be able to maximize your monetary recovery - whether through mediation, arbitration, or jury trial. 

Watch YouTube Video on Pedestrian Safety from the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

Cameron Park Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

I'm Ed Smith, and I am a pedestrian accident lawyer in Cameron Park. If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a negligent driver, please contact my office today for free and friendly advice.  There is no obligation; our consultation is free.   Our local and toll-free phone numbers, respectively, are (503) 392-9400 and (800) 404-5400.

Please take a moment to look over some of our prior verdicts and settlements.

Reviews from my past clients can be found here:

• Google
• Yelp 
• Avvo

Image by Candid_Shots from Pixabay 

mm [cs 1044] cha