Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Insurance adjusters will try to deny a pedestrian who has suffered injuries the compensation that they are entitled to by law. They may attempt to paint a picture of how you were to blame for the accident. They may suggest that you weren't paying attention to where you were walking or that you carelessly darted between two cars. They may even deny your claim. Dealing with the insurance company while trying to recover from your injuries can be overwhelming. They will try to wear you down.
Sacramento Pedestrian Accident LawyerOur pedestrian injury attorney is familiar with these heartless tactics. You don't have to go out this alone. Let us help by countering their falsehoods with evidence about your case. We have the experience to investigate and prove your case. Additionally, we take the time to get to know you and how the injuries you suffered have impacted your life. This way we can fight for the compensation that is owed to you. With the proper evidence gathered, we begin by filing a claim to get the negligent driver to cover your medical bills, expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The Sacramento injury attorneys at AutoAccident.com have been assisting clients with their pedestrian accident cases since 1982. To speak with one of our lawyers today, call (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice on how to move forward with a personal injury claim.
You pay no fees upfront. Fees are paid only if we win your case.
Among the most serious traffic incidents that can occur are those which involve pedestrians. Lacking any protection whatsoever, a pedestrian is completely vulnerable to serious injuries when struck by a moving vehicle.
Even a relatively slow-moving vehicle can cause fractures and other major injuries to a pedestrian due to the significant mass of the vehicle and the hardness of the outside surfaces in comparison to human flesh.
Leg fractures are particularly common due to the position of car bumpers at the moment of impact - while internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries are not far behind.
Study on Pedestrian AccidentsAn interesting study conducted in Austin, Texas revealed that by far the most common position of a pedestrian at the time of being struck was crossing a street, both outside of and within crosswalks, and the most frequent driver-related factor was a failure to yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian.
These results clearly highlight the importance of taking great care whenever crossing a roadway. It is never safe to assume that merely being in a crosswalk provides protection or to assume that a driver even sees a pedestrian, particularly at night.
Information on Pedestrian SafetyThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides a variety of pedestrian safety information here. Due to their tendency to be inattentive to traffic, children are at particular risk of being injured in vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents. More pedestrian safety information is available through the U.S. Department of Transportation: Pedestrian Safety Roadshow
Watch the YouTube video below from AAA for more information on pedestrian safety.
California Law on Pedestrian AccidentsThe four most common ways pedestrians are injured in California are by drivers making left and right turns, backing up or making U-Turns. Driver inattention by texting, using cell phones or putting on makeup are other ways that lead to frequent pedestrian injuries.
Duty to Keep a Proper LookoutEvery driver of a motor vehicle must keep a proper lookout and pay attention to the roadway in front of him including pedestrians. (Johnson v Johnson (1948) 84 Cal. App. 2nd 271.
The Driver of a Car has a Greater Duty of Care Than Does the PedestrianEveryone has a duty of care, but courts in California have long recognized that the danger posed by a 4,000 plus pound vehicle is much greater than that posed by a pedestrian and courts, therefore, it requires a greater duty of care by the driver of the vehicle.
- If driving in an area where children are frequently present, a driver has a greater duty of care.
- A driver must yield the right of way to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
- Even if a pedestrian is outside a crosswalk, a driver has a high duty of care to look out for them.
If a driver stops to allow a pedestrian to cross before him at an intersection, no other vehicle can overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
Pedestrian Struck by a Hit and Run Driver May Have InsuranceEven when a pedestrian is struck by a hit and run driver, so long as the pedestrian has uninsured motorist insurance on his own vehicle or someone else in the pedestrian’s household has such insurance, the pedestrian is normally covered by that uninsured motorist insurance.
The above are just a few of the common laws that apply to hit-by-car accident victims in California. If you have been hit in a pedestrian accident, you will need the guidance of an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Sacramento. Please call me anytime at (916) 921-6400 if I can help further.
Sacramento Pedestrian Accident FAQWhat damages are recoverable in a pedestrian accident claim?
The various damages that can be recoverable in a pedestrian accident claim include current and future medical expenses, current and loss of wages, physical therapy, and pain and suffering.
I was injured in a pedestrian accident, can I sue anyone else other than the driver who hit me?
If another party or entity has contributed to your accident, then you may be able to bring a lawsuit against them. For example, if the driver who hit you recently had his brakes repaired, but they were not fixed properly, and it could be shown that the malfunction brakes caused the accident, you could file a claim against the auto shop.
Can I still file a personal injury claim if an uninsured or underinsured motorist hit me?
Yes. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident by an uninsured/underinsured motorist, you may file a claim with your own insurance company for compensation for your injuries.
Photo by Pixabay
Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 7.23.20]
Additional Resources:
- Bone Fractures in Pedestrian Accidents
- How Fitbit Location Data Can Be Used as Evidence
- Marked Crosswalks May Not Be Safe for Pedestrians
- Older Pedestrians Have Safety Concerns
- Pedestrian Accident Statistics 2017
- Pedestrian Fatalities in Sacramento Nearly Double in 2017
- Pedestrian Injuries and Car Speed