Drivers who are impatient may speed or try to whip around pedestrians who are crossing the street. Pedestrians can also be impatient and, as already mentioned above, may try to cross the street where and when they are not permitted to do so.

Road construction is a real hazard. Drivers are typically alerted to pay special attention. Pedestrians are often forced to walk around the construction area, and this may mean walking into or close to roadways.

How a road is engineered, designed, or otherwise constructed can make life difficult for both drivers and pedestrians. A pedestrian may not be visible to a driver around certain bends in the road or on hilly roads. Wet road conditions, rundown roads, and the like can also make it dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians.

Rain, snow, wind, and more bad weather conditions can make it treacherous to drive and walk on or near roads. Visibility may be affected. Road conditions can get messy and dangerous. Drivers and pedestrians seeking to get out of bad weather may become impatient or reckless in their efforts.

Understanding Pedestrian Accidents in California

Q: Impaired Drivers and Pedestrians

Impaired driving is much more common than impaired pedestrians, but just the same, being impaired by chemical substances, like alcohol and drugs, can affect safe driving and walking. A driver may sway into another lane or come to a stop too late. A pedestrian may cross the road when they shouldn't. Any kind of impairment can create conditions for an accident.

Q: Disregarding the Rules of the Road

A driver who speeds, fails to follow traffic rules, or disregards the presence of potential pedestrians can cause a serious accident. Pedestrians, likewise, should not, for example, cross streets without using walkways or when the light is not green for them to cross.

Q: Dark Clothes at Night

When pedestrians wear dark clothes at night and are on or near the road, drivers may not be able to see them until it is too late. Even where the road is illuminated by streetlamps or traffic lights, seeing a pedestrian at night remains difficult if they are in dark clothes.

Pedestrian accidents occur between pedestrians and cars, scooters, forklifts, and the like. They can also be devastating accidents in terms of injuries and fatalities.

At Garcia Preciado Law, our pedestrian accident attorneys help clients successfully file and win lawsuits. Fill out our online contact form or call us at (661) 495-0084 to schedule a FREE consultation and learn more about how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

What is a Pedestrian
Vs. An Auto Accident?

A pedestrian accident is a collision involving someone on foot and someone in a vehicle. A vehicle can be a passenger car, a motorcycle, or even a bicycle. In these accidents, it is typically the pedestrian who suffers the most injuries, simply because the pedestrian bears the brunt of the impact and has no protection at all.

Who can be sued for a Pedestrian v. Auto Accident?

Generally speaking, anyone at fault for an accident can be sued. The obvious place to start is with is the driver or operator of the vehicle involved in your accident. However, there are other, less obvious entities who could share in the liability.

If an accident was caused by something like a brake failure, the manufacturer of those breaks or a mechanic who negligently maintained the brake system could potentially be held liable. It is also possible for a public or private entity to be held liable if an accident is caused by some dangerous condition, like poorly maintained roads or insufficient lighting. When the person at fault caused the accident while working, their employer could be held accountable. Because these cases are not always straightforward, it is important to-at a minimum-speak to a pedestrian accident attorney about your legal options.

Common Causes of Pedestrian v. Auto Accidents

Every accident is unique, and there are as many potential causes of pedestrian accidents as there are drivers on the road. Some of the most common reasons are provided below.

Distracted Driver and Pedestrians

Both drivers and pedestrians have a lot of distractions that can cause them to take their eyes off the road. Common distractions are the same for both: cell phones or other electronics, children, and eating.

Impaired Drivers and Pedestrians

Disregarding the Rules of the Road

Impatience

Dark Clothes at Night

Road Construction

Road Conditions

Bad Weather

Common Traffic-Related Pedestrian Injuries

Accidents always have the potential to result in personal injuries, even fatal injuries. Traffic-related pedestrian accidents are particularly vulnerable to several personal or fatal injuries.

Emergency room analysis indicates the following are some of the top injuries' pedestrians sustain when in a traffic-related accident:

Head and Brain Injuries
Spinal and Back Injuries
Musculoskeletal Injuries

Bone Fractures
Lacerations
Contusions and Bruising

Children and older adults are most at risk of serious, complicated, and/or fatal injuries. The extent of the injuries is determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to age, gender, location, speed of vehicle, type of vehicle, and weather conditions.

Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Injuries

The central motivation behind awarding monetary damages to pedestrian accident victims is to make them as whole as possible, or to restore them to the financial position they were in before the accident. As such, there are a number of different things that a victim might receive compensation for after an accident.

For example, victims with expensive medical bills might receive compensation for the latter, as well as for transportation costs to and from the doctor's office. Further, if those injuries prevented the victim from working, the injured party may also be eligible to receive compensation for the wages that they weren't able to earn. These are all known as economic damages, meaning the actual costs of your recovery are compensable.

A victim of a pedestrian accident could also receive monetary damages to compensate for the physical pain and mental or emotional suffering they experience because of their injuries. These compensable damages are known as non-economic damages because the monetary value requires some calculation and determination.

Why Hire a Pedestrian Accident Attorney?

After a pedestrian accident, it is important to understand that the insurance company may not always have your best interests in mind. They are businesses first and foremost, which means that their goal is to pay out as little as they are legally obligated to make sure your insurance company or the at-fault party's insurance company settles for a value that makes sense in your unique situation, you likely need a pedestrian accident lawyer. We help you through the process and act as your advocate, negotiating and arguing on your behalf so that you get what is right and just. Plus, if the insurance company still refuses to pay what is fair, Garcia Preciado Law can take the matter to trial.

Contact Garcia Preciado Law Today

Hiring a pedestrian accident attorney from Garcia Preciado Law gives you someone in your corner who has the necessary experience to be able to accurately assess the value of your case and fight on your behalf for fair compensation. To schedule a FREE consultation about your accident, contact our pedestrian accident lawyers either online or by calling (661) 495-0084.