Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorney

A Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney will help you seek compensation for your losses, including medical costs, lost wages, and burial costs

A pedestrian accident is an accident that involves someone who is walking or running on the street, sidewalk, or some other area.

Typically, a pedestrian accident will involve a motor vehicle, such as a car or truck. However, pedestrian accidents can also involve a person being hit by a bus, train, or some other type of motorized object (ie. a quad, tractor, motorcycle, etc.)

Pedestrian accidents can leave a person temporarily or permanently injured.

If the accident is severe enough, the person can be killed. In 2012, over 4,000 pedestrians were killed, and over 75,000 injured. According to the CDC, this is an average of one crash-related pedestrian death every 2 hours and an injury every 7 minutes. Unfortunately, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in a car crash than a passenger in a motor vehicle.

Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Some other statistics regarding pedestrian accidents include:

  • Twenty percent of all pedestrian deaths and 9 percent of all injuries are individuals aged 65 and older
  • One in every 5 children between the ages of 5 and 15 killed in traffic accidents are pedestrians
  • Alcohol is involved in a little less than half of all traffic crashes that resulted in the death of a pedestrian

Most pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas, at night, or in locations that are not at an intersection.

The good news is that pedestrian accidents can be avoided if the appropriate steps are taken, such as pedestrians increasing visibility at night, drivers paying more attention while at the wheel, and ensuring that people cross the street at a designated crosswalk.

Let’s take a closer look at why you should seek the help of an experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney.

Are There Special Laws to Protect Pedestrians in California?

California does have some laws that protect pedestrians; however, it depends on the specific circumstances of the accident.

In California, a motor vehicle operator must yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing a street in a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. A driver also has a duty to exercise due care if he or she is approaching a pedestrian that is already in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. This includes reducing the speed at which he or she is driving or taking other necessary actions to ensure the pedestrian remains safe.

California pedestrian accidents are taken seriously, and major settlements and verdicts have been secured in pedestrian accident cases. Multi-million dollar awards have been given to pedestrians who have suffered serious, permanent injuries and to the families of pedestrians who have been killed as a result of an accident.

Can an Attorney Help Me Recover Compensation?

A Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney can help you recover compensation if you have been in an accident and suffered injuries or if a loved one has been in an accident and has been killed.

While there is no one-size-fits-all formula for what can be recovered, typically an attorney will demand the following on behalf of his or her client:

  • Medical costs
  • Burial costs, if the pedestrian was killed
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of ability to earn a living
  • Loss of consortium or guardianship
  • Pain and suffering

Because each case is different, it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who has handled many pedestrian accident cases. By doing so, you can rest assured that your claim is in good hands and that your attorney is doing everything in his or her power to help you recover, and hold any responsible parties liable.

Furthermore, personal injury attorneys are usually skilled in both trial work and settlement negotiations. They will also have experience dealing with big insurance companies that are often reluctant to pay what the victim truly deserves.

Securing an experienced pedestrian accident attorney will ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible for yours or your loved one’s injuries.

For a referral to a properly vetted attorney, contact the Attorney Referral Service of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association (818) 340-4529.