Actions to Take After Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles
While a June 2017 California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) traffic safety report pedestrian non-fatal injury rates decreased by 13.5 percent from 2007 to 2013, pedestrian fatality rates increased 11 percent during that same time span. The same report found that nearly one-third of all children 14 and younger killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.
Even people who do not think of traveling by foot as being their primary mode of transportation will end up becoming pedestrians at some point in their regular daily lives. Just as nobody expects to get into crashes while driving, few people anticipate being involved in pedestrian accidents.
The steps a person takes immediately after a pedestrian crash can be extremely important. Even individuals who believe that they were clearly the victims of negligent motorists can experience significant hardship in attempting to obtain compensation for the variety of needs they have.
California Pedestrian Laws
California Vehicle Code ァ 21950(a) establishes that a driver of must yield right-of-way to any pedestrian crossing within any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Several pedestrian accidents involve violations of this statute.
Many pedestrian injuries involve some kind of driver negligence. Some of the most common kinds of motorist negligence in pedestrian crash cases include, but are not limited to:
- Distracted driving;
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol;
- Violations of other traffic laws (speeding, etc.);
- Improper turns; and
- Inclement weather.
Legal Action for Pedestrian Accidents in California
In the state of California, the victim in a pedestrian accident case has two years form the date of the crash to file a legal claim. Insurance companies for negligent drivers do not want these cases to go to trial and representatives will frequently attempt to contact victims in order to hopefully get them to settle the cases out of court.
You should avoid negotiating with an insurer until you have legal representation. Insurance companies frequently use recorded statements made by victims to later reduce the value of the ultimate payouts. Even representatives who seem genuinely concerned about your well-being are usually trying to extort damaging statements from you.
An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf in order to ensure that you obtain all of the compensation you are entitled to. Legal counsel will give you the best chance of recovering damages for all of your lost wages, medical bills, and other damages.
Find a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
If you sustained catastrophic injuries or your loved one was killed in a pedestrian crash anywhere in the greater Southern California area, it is in your best interest to quickly seek legal representation. The Los Angeles Injury Group helps residents and visitors in communities in and around Los Angeles.
Our firm fights to help victims obtain all of the compensation they need and deserve. Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys will review your case and help you understand all of your legal options when you call (310) 954-7248 or contact us online to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.
Note: This post has been derived from the use of secondary sources and the information provided has not been independently confirmed. The photos depicted in these posts are not representative of the actual accident. Any inaccuracies will be swiftly corrected once they have been brought to the site’s attention and all requests to remove posts will be honored.
Disclaimer: This post is intended to provide general information to our readers and to honor the victims of everyday tragedies. We do not wish to cause any disrespect and none of the information contained in this post should be construed to constitute legal or medical advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and cases often turn on minor differences in fact. Do not rely exclusively on any of the information contained in this post and seek further assistance from a legal or medical professional, where necessary.