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A Trusted Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Orange County
Did you know that Orange County has become a deadly place for pedestrians? With busy highways, intersections, and people always coming to and from work and popular tourist destinations, it’s no wonder that pedestrians are gaining injuries and losing their lives almost every day. Just to take a glimpse of what pedestrians in Orange County deal with, let’s look at some facts.
In 2015 alone, research showed that Orange County, California, was suffering from a “deadly” year, with a pedestrian being struck and killed every 6 days. So, what is the cause of many of these accidents? Left-turn accidents by auto drivers who are not looking for people, motorcycles, and more. In the previous year, there were an astounding 55 pedestrian deaths, all of which could have been prevented if drivers had taken further precautions. The worst year on record for Orange County was 1994 when 70 pedestrians lost their lives in these horrific accidents.
How Vehicle Drivers Can Avoid These Deadly Accidents
Yes, it is true that sometimes it seems as if pedestrians come out of nowhere. Vehicle drivers have to constantly watch out for pedestrians who could walk across a street without looking both ways, or children who go to grab something they lost on the roads. This is why drivers must always drive defensively, which includes some of the following steps:
- Staying aware of surroundings and free of distractions in the vehicle
- Being careful to avoid people on bikes, skateboards, and more because it could be harder for them to stop at intersections
- Looking out for pedestrians who are distracted by headphones and cellphones
- Paying special attention to the children and elderly who may not notice vehicles as easily
- Giving pedestrians the right of way where it is appropriate
Holding a Party Liable in a Pedestrian Accident
A party has acted negligently when they violated a safety law and did not pay heed to pedestrians who share the roads when they have to cross or walk alongside it. If you are a pedestrian who has been hit by the negligence of a driver, you may be able to recover from losses like medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. And, if a pedestrian is killed by a negligent driver, his or her dependents can sue for wrongful death, which will cover aspects like lost income and funeral expenses relating to the loved one.
Many pedestrian accidents involving motor vehicles are the fault of the driver, who was distracted or otherwise disobeying the rules of the road. For example, you may see a case where a pedestrian was legally crossing the street at an intersection after they were signaled to cross, and a driver breezed right through a traffic light that was red. In this case, it is clear that a driver is at fault for any injuries stemming from the lawsuit. However, there are also some cases where a pedestrian could show negligence as well, such as in cases where a pedestrian was jaywalking or jumped out in front of a vehicle at the last minute. If both you and a driver acted negligently, your damages could be reduced by a certain percentage based on your fault in the accident.
Because these cases can sometimes be complicated, it is a good idea to have an attorney on your side every step of the way. At the Los Angeles Injury Group, we can help you in your time of need if you are a pedestrian who was hit by a driver. We will speak to you about the facts of your case and how you can move forward during this time. Call us today at 310-954-7248.
https://www.justia.com/injury/motor-vehicle-accidents/pedestrian-accidents/
https://www.dmv.org/accident-guide/accidents-with-pedestrians.php
