Yreka Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Yreka is a charming town with many attractions for visitors and is surrounded by natural beauty. It's easy to do errands on foot, head to work, and enjoy the area. However, pedestrian accidents happen there as they do elsewhere in Northern California. With more pedestrians around and heavier traffic brought in by tourism, severe injuries and accidents increase.

Suppose you or a loved one has suffered an injury caused by a driver or other entity. In that case, you might want to find out about filing a compensation claim to cover your financial loss. Call our experienced injury attorneys at (530) 392-9400 for a free case evaluation.

The legal team at AutoAccident.com has helped Yreka residents since 1982 obtain fair compensation following a pedestrian injury accident. The support we provide is compassionate and professional because we understand that an injury affects the person it happened to and the entire family. We work hard to recover compensation for injured pedestrians, so they can concentrate on healing without financial stress added to their burden caused by another's negligent actions.

Motorists cause many pedestrian accidents each year due to their negligence. The National Safety Council reported that in 2019, there were 7,668 pedestrian fatalities around the country. The speed of a vehicle when it strikes someone on foot is directly related to the risk of death. Some of the reasons these accidents happen are:

• Running a red light: This common cause of pedestrian injury accidents. A driver who runs a stop sign or red light can injure a pedestrian in the crosswalk or one who has stepped off the curb.
• Distracted driving: Texting, checking GPS, changing a radio station, and other activities can lead to a pedestrian accident. Even though only five seconds is required to send a text, the vehicle is traveling the length of a football field in that time.
• Improper backing: A motorist who backs out of a parking space or driveway without looking for a pedestrian crossing behind them can cause a severe accident.
• Drunk drivers: Motorists intoxicated or impaired by drugs have reduced reflexes, problems staying in their own lane, and often speed up and slow down. Vision is also affected, and the driver may have trouble spotting a pedestrian. When the weather is bad or the sun has gone down, they are even more likely to be involved in an accident with a pedestrian.
• Speeding: The faster a motorist drives, the more likely it will result in a fatality if they strike a pedestrian. Any accident involving someone on foot, even if it is minor, can cause serious injuries.
• Fatigued driving: When a motorist is too tired to be driving, they react behind the wheel of the vehicle in much the same way as a drunk driver. Vision, reflexes, and judgment are affected, which can easily result in an accident involving a pedestrian.
• Government negligence: If the government entity in charge of maintaining a roadway, intersection, or other area is lax in performing its duties, it can lead to an accident involving a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcycle rider, or even a passenger vehicle. Some problems include mistimed or malfunctioning traffic or crossing lights, potholes, overgrown shrubs, and poor lighting. If an accident results from poor maintenance, the injured party can hold the government entity liable for injuries. Since the time limit for filing against a government entity is much shorter than for other personal injuries, getting help from an accident attorney is a good idea.

There are several ways a pedestrian can stay safer while out and lower the risk of being injured in an accident. Some suggestions to increase pedestrian safety include:

• Stick to designated crosswalks whenever crossing the street. If a crosswalk is available further away, taking those extra steps to reach it can make you safer.
• Try not to walk in the street. Sidewalks aren't always available in some areas, so you may be forced to walk along the curb. If you do, face traffic, making it easier for a motorist to see you and for you to see them.
• Always watch oncoming traffic when crossing the street or walking through a parking lot. Don't assume what a driver will do, and don't try to run across the street to beat a vehicle before they reach you.
• Obey all traffic laws and avoid jaywalking. Motorists can't always see pedestrians stepping out between vehicles parked along the curb and could go too fast to stop.
• Make yourself more visible by wearing bright colors during the day and light colors after dark. Reflective strips on a jacket and a flashlight increase your visibility after dark.
• Don't think a driver will stop at crosswalks until they do it. Red-light runners and speeders often cause pedestrian accidents.
• If you've been drinking, don't go out on foot. Inebriated pedestrians can be just as careless as motorists.
• Be cautious walking past driveways, alleys, entrances, and exits. If you aren't in the driver's field of vision, it can result in a severe accident.
• Always look left, right, and left again before crossing a street, even when lights and signals are present.