Irvine Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Walking is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. You get exercise, spend some time in the great outdoors, and save money on transportation costs. However, when your walks take you near vehicles, whether in a parking lot or along a roadway, there is always the risk of a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver or drunk driver.

These crashes can leave victims with life-changing injuries and large medical bills. Hejazi Law Group can ensure you get the compensation you need to get back on your feet post-accident. Call (866) 780-8585 today to schedule a free consultation with a pedestrian accident attorney.

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?

There can be many variables involved in each pedestrian accident. The time of day, weather conditions, driver impairment, broken stop lights, and many other factors can impact the likelihood of a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 75% of pedestrian accidents occur in the dark. These accidents could be related to improper street lighting or may be due to distracted, fatigued, or inattentive drivers.

The dangers for pedestrians are greater in the city, with 80% of pedestrian accidents occurring in urban areas versus 20% in more rural areas. This pattern is logical because more streets, intersections, and overall pedestrian activity in urban areas mean more chances of accidents.

But surprisingly, the NHTSA found that only 18% of the pedestrian accidents in their 2017 study occurred at intersections. Places like parking lots, bike paths, driveways, and other non-traffic areas are actually some of the higher-risk areas for pedestrian accidents.

Unsurprisingly, factors that can lead to a pedestrian crash also include common causes of car accidents, such as:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Failing to yield
• Not stopping at traffic signals
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

What Serious Injuries Can Result From a Pedestrian Accident?

Although pedestrian accidents can technically involve bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, and other conveyances, most pedestrian accidents involve a person being struck by a car or truck. The force of a heavy vehicle can be devastating, even if the impact happens at a relatively low speed because the victim is wholly unprotected.

Due to this, it is critical for pedestrian accident victims to seek a prompt medical evaluation, even if their injuries initially appear to be minor. It is possible to have a serious injury and be unaware of it because of the masking effect of the adrenaline coursing through your body after the crash. Some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries include:

• Head trauma, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken or fractured bones
• Lacerations and contusions
• Organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Pelvic injuries
• Facial and dental injuries, including eye injuries, loss of vision, and jaw damage
• Crushed or severed extremities
• Wrongful death

Victims can also experience harm that is not physical. Being unexpectedly hit by a vehicle and suffering the fear and pain associated with the pedestrian accident can severely affect their mental health. Survivors may struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, phobias, and depression, even after their physical injuries have healed.

What Compensation Can You Recover in Your Pedestrian Accident Case?

When you are injured in an accident, it can place a significant financial burden on you and your family. Your severe injuries can affect your ability to work, and your bills for ongoing treatment can be substantial. Those who caused your injuries need to be held accountable for their actions. The two main categories of compensation that your pedestrian accident attorney may secure for you are economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages compensate for current and future financial losses stemming from your accident. These damages may include the following:

• Medical bills: You may have expenses from ER visits, hospital care, surgery, medications, doctor appointments, rehab appointments, and more which can be recovered in your settlement.
• Lost wages: Any income lost between the time of the accident and the conclusion of the pedestrian accident lawsuit can be included in compensation.
• Loss of earning capacity: If permanent injuries or disabilities occur, you may be able to prove that your earning ability has been negatively impacted. Compensation is then calculated based on the amount you could have earned if the accident had not happened.

Monetary losses are not the only damages felt by pedestrian accident victims. There can be other substantial repercussions of a frightening accident and severe injuries on your quality of life and well-being. Non-economic damages compensate you for these damages, which may include:

• Pain and suffering: The type of injuries, the amount of pain and discomfort caused, and how long the victim is expected to continue suffering are all considered when calculating this compensation.
• Mental anguish: A pedestrian accident can cause emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more, and you may recover compensation for the hardships you’ve endured.

Additionally, punitive damages could be awarded by the court in cases where the defendant’s actions that caused the accident are deemed to be willful, malicious, or exceedingly reckless. Punitive damages punish the offender and are supposed to dissuade others from similar actions in the future.

Why Hire an Irvine Pedestrian Accident Attorney?

Pedestrian accident cases require a thorough investigation to prove the sequence of events and properly determine fault. There may be multiple individuals or entities responsible for your catastrophic injuries. A knowledgeable lawyer will work to build a strong, organized case that provides leverage in negotiations with the insurance companies, so you can get the settlement you deserve.

Even if you were found to be partially at fault for an accident because you were jaywalking or not paying full attention to your surroundings, under California’s comparative negligence rules, you are still eligible to seek compensation as long as you were not 100% at fault. However, the amount of fault assigned to you will reduce your compensation.

Insurance companies may try to take advantage of this situation and shift the majority of the blame for the accident onto you to avoid compensating you fairly. For this reason, having a skilled, determined lawyer on your side to fight for your rights is vital. Call Hejazi Law Group at (866) 780-8585 to speak with Irvine pedestrian accident attorneys who will strive to get you the maximum compensation for your pedestrian accident claim.