Livermore Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents in Livermore often have a terrible outcome. When that happens, a Livermore pedestrian injury lawyer has the dedication, resources, and experience to successfully handle your case. A person walking on foot will typically lose when a car or truck strikes them, and serious injuries are a typical result. Our pedestrian accident attorneys skillfully represent the injured and their loved ones who have been tragically killed in these situations.

All cases are different, but we have the acumen and tenacity to collect the evidence and supporting documents to successfully conclude your case. When dealing with incidents of this nature, it is vital to protect and gather evidence as soon as possible to have the best chance of recovering the compensation you are entitled to. Although you are probably facing an emotional time dealing with your trauma and trying to recover, working with a pedestrian injury lawyer as soon as possible after a traumatic incident occurs is vital.

The vehicle's speed significantly affects whether the pedestrian is seriously injured or becomes a fatality statistic. According to the AAA Foundation, 10 percent of pedestrians suffer serious injuries if the vehicle travels at 16 mph. However, if a car travels at 58 mph, the pedestrian has a 90 percent chance of being killed or suffering life-altering injuries. 

A driver's attention is usually focused on the other vehicles sharing the road. Unfortunately, they don't always look out for those on bicycles or pedestrians. Pedestrian injuries are often caused by drivers for the following reasons:

• Running a red light or stop sign is a common cause of pedestrian injuries and fatalities at intersections.
• Speeding prevents a motorist from being able to stop in time to avoid a collision with a pedestrian.
• Refusing to yield the right of way means that although the motorist may have time to slow down or move over to avoid striking a pedestrian, they do not. 
• Having alcohol or drugs in your system while driving makes it more difficult for the driver to concentrate and focus on their surroundings. Because their vision and reflexes are affected, pedestrians crossing a street in front of them may not even register with the driver until it is too late.
• Using a cell phone, texting, or another distraction while driving can lead to a pedestrian injury accident.

Your right is to seek compensation through the at-fault party's insurance company or civil court if you have been injured in a pedestrian crash. Areas where compensation may be recoverable include:

• Medical costs: Reimbursable medical expenses, including all medically related bills. All those costs can be recovered from the emergency room and ambulance service to hospitalization, diagnostic tests, surgeries, and medicines.
• Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and assistive devices: This category encompasses inpatient and outpatient physical therapy and assistive devices such as wheelchairs and walkers.
• Physical pain and suffering: Each trauma case has its own degree of pain and suffering. Every case is different, and compensation will depend on the extent of the trauma you suffered, your medical care, and your recovery time.
• Emotional trauma: Pedestrian injury incidents can trigger symptoms such as anxiety and depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. If professional treatment is required, counseling fees can be recouped.
• Returning home: An injured pedestrian may need to make changes to the home to make it accessible. A stair lift, a walk-in shower, ramps, and handrails are among the features required by some injured persons. The cost of a healthcare aide or home nursing is also recoverable.
• Lost earnings: Many injured people must take off work when injured in a pedestrian crash or use vacation time or sick leave. When their pay stops, they need to find another way to compensate for these losses, which can be done with the help of a pedestrian crash attorney in Livermore. Your lawyer can calculate the amount you have lost and will lose in the future using employment records and include any regular bonuses, insurance, and pension benefits. If you are a freelancer or self-employed, you need to provide tax records or your client's earnings verification.
• Reduced income: Some people who have been injured have to take a lower-paying job. The difference in pay is calculated and added to what the person could have earned without the injury.

In California, pedestrians injured intentionally or in an especially egregious manner may seek punitive damages in their lawsuits against negligent parties. Unlike the recovery of medical care expenses and lost wages, this is in addition to the compensatory damages. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the offender and discourage this type of behavior in the future.

As in all personal injury claims, negligence by the other party has to be proved for the injured party to recover compensation. Some of the suggestions below can help:

• Get out of the way of traffic: If possible, when you've been struck by a negligent driver while crossing the street, you have to get out of the traffic. This helps you avoid being hit by another vehicle.
• Call for help: Phone police and the fire department for medical assistance. If you can't call, have someone nearby do it for you. Summoning police as quickly as possible is essential to identify the driver in case they attempt to flee the scene.
• Photograph everything: If you aren't too seriously injured, take photos of the driver's car and exchange information. Include pictures of the crash site and your injuries. The more photos to document your situation, the better.
• Medical care: Getting medical care for your trauma is a priority. Go to the emergency room or your physician if it isn't too severe or you think you didn't suffer any harm. Some injuries are delayed and may not appear until hours, days or weeks later. 
• Make sure to follow doctor's orders: Listening to your doctor, taking any prescribed medications, and keeping appointments in the future is essential. Judges, juries, and insurance companies will look at your record to see that you did.

Get in touch with an attorney to schedule a free consultation with no obligation on your part. You need an attorney on your side to level the playing field since the other side will indeed have a lawyer working on your case. You will have a powerful negotiating advantage when you hire the right legal representation because insurance companies attempt to pay out as little as possible.

Here are some tips from attorney Ed Smith on how to choose a personal injury lawyer:

Contact us at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice from our pedestrian injury attorneys in Livermore about filing a claim when you've suffered harm caused by a negligent motorist. If you prefer to connect with us online, we have a contact form available. At the following link, you are welcome to look over our Verdicts and Settlements page to see how we have helped others.

Editor's Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 7.19.22]

Photo attribution: by Brian Merrill from Pixabay

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