Pedestrian Accidents

San Diego Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Fighting for Full and Fair Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims

San Diego is known for its pleasant weather and numerous attractions easily accessible to pedestrians. The downtown area is also designed to make it appealing for pedestrians to walk to and from their destinations.

Unfortunately, as the city’s population grows, there has been a steady increase in pedestrian-related accidents even as more safety measures have been implemented. Pedestrians do not enjoy the protections that motor vehicles provide, and often, accident victims suffer minor to severe injuries. Even minor injuries can result in costly hospital bills that can be challenging to pay.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is in your best interest to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Finn Trial Attorneys APC is a law firm committed to helping accident victims recover fair compensation for their injuries and other damages. Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney who will gladly review your legal options.

Why Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Occur?

Like many urban areas in California, San Diego experiences heavy traffic daily, with many larger vehicles exceeding the speed limit. Although speeding is not a new issue that affects pedestrian accidents, distracted driving while also operating a motor vehicle over the speed limit is a significant contributor to the uptick in collisions. Distracted driving occurs when drivers take their eyes off the road to look at their cell phones, GPS, passengers, or their car’s entertainment system.

Other common factors that contribute to pedestrian accidents include:

  • Failure of drivers to obey traffic laws
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Bicyclists riding on the sidewalk
  • Poor lighting conditions
  • Adverse road or weather conditions

In some instances, pedestrian accidents occur because a person on foot is also distracted by their cell phone or under the influence.

Regardless of how your pedestrian accident occurred, it is wise to seek legal representation immediately. The insurance company may try to blame you for causing the accident so they can deny or pass less than your claim is worth. Our law firm has a proven reputation for assisting injured pedestrians with their claims and will work tirelessly to help you recover compensation.

What are the Most Dangerous Areas for Pedestrians?

Although any area where a pedestrian chooses to walk can pose a risk, some locations are more dangerous than others. For example, intersections and crosswalks with a traffic signal are frequently the locations of pedestrian accidents. Many drivers fail to stop completely at stop signs or run red lights, often resulting in pedestrian accident injuries. In other instances, drivers fail to obey California’s pedestrian laws and stop for pedestrians trying to maneuver crosswalks or run stop signs or red lights try to

Accidents often occur when an unsuspecting pedestrian steps off the curb into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Driveway and parking lot accidents occur daily when drivers fail to see pedestrians walking behind or beside their vehicles.

Other locations and conditions that pose a significant risk for pedestrian collisions include:

  • Poorly designed intersections or those with inadequate lighting
  • Pedestrians attempting to cross busy highways or freeways
  • Roads with narrow shoulders

If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries. Allow our San Diego lawyers to review your pedestrian accident case so we may determine what legal options work best for your needs.

What are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents?

Pedestrian accidents can be hazardous as victims lack the same protections offered in motor vehicles, unlike other collisions. Depending on the circumstances and how fast a vehicle travels, many pedestrians are struck and thrown a considerable distance. Other factors that can affect the severity of injuries sustained include the age and health of the victim, with children and older adults being more susceptible. Frequently reported injuries include head, neck, and back injuries.

Some of the other most common injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents include:

  • Fractured or broken bones: Due to the fundamental lack of protection, many pedestrians suffer arm, shoulder, and leg fractures. Pedestrian’s hands and wrists are also often impacted as they try to brace themselves from impact or due to the way they land on the pavement
  • Soft tissue damage: Pedestrian accidents often result in victims suffering soft tissue injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Whiplash is often commonly reported along with sprains, strains, and lacerations.

What are Catastrophic Pedestrian Injuries?

Aside from common injuries that may take significant time to heal, many pedestrians suffer catastrophic injuries that can have life-changing consequences. Although California law does not explicitly define catastrophic injuries, they are considered to be those that negatively impact the victim’s quality of life and have permanent or lasting effects.

Catastrophic injuries may include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries

Spinal cord and head injuries can leave pedestrian accident victims permanently impaired and in need of skilled nursing care.

If you or a family member have suffered serious injuries, you need to obtain legal representation immediately. A well-trained pedestrian accident attorney can help you obtain maximum compensation for your personal injury case that will provide for ongoing medical treatment.

Finn Trial Attorneys APC is passionate about ensuring injury victims can recover compensation that will grant them the peace of mind they deserve.

What Should I Do if I Have Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you should take several recommended steps to safeguard your health and well-being. After being involved in a pedestrian accident, you should remain on the accident scene and check yourself for injuries. Contact 911 to report the accident. If you have suffered injuries, request emergency medical responders.

If you can, obtain contact information from the driver who hit you. You should also gather evidence, including pictures and videos of your injuries and damage to the driver’s vehicle. Another critical step is obtaining the names and contact information of individuals who witnessed the accident.

Even if you do not believe you are injured, seek medical care immediately. If you have suffered internal injuries, you may not be aware of them, and not seeking treatment could be life-threatening. It is also crucial that you do not post information, pictures, or videos regarding the accident on your social media pages. Insurance companies often try to use pedestrian accident victims’ statements against them to try and avoid paying fair compensation.

Your last step is contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer who can assist you with your accident claim. Our San Diego pedestrian accident lawyers have extensive experience helping injured victims and would be pleased to assist you with your legal needs.

Who Could Be Found At Fault for a Pedestrian Accident?

California’s pedestrian laws dictate that a negligent driver or pedestrian can be found at fault for an accident. Because California follows a comparative negligence doctrine, determining fault is essential when accident victims try to recover compensation.

Generally, drivers are expected to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, especially at crosswalks. An at-fault driver may also have been speeding or operating their motor vehicle while under the influence, which led to the accident.

However, pedestrians can also be found at fault if their actions contributed to the accident. Many pedestrian accidents can be attributed to individuals being distracted by their cell phones and not paying attention to traffic.

Due to the state’s comparative negligence laws stipulating that settlements can be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to each party, many insurance adjusters look for ways to blame the victim to avoid large payouts. Our San Diego pedestrian accident lawyers are fearless in representing clients and will not be bullied by insurance companies and their legal teams.

To ensure you receive a fair settlement, hiring a San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer who will fight the insurance company and help you obtain the compensation you deserve is best.

Why Should I Hire an Attorney to Help Me File a Pedestrian Accident Claim?

San Diego pedestrian accidents can be overly complex depending on the circumstances involved in the case. Like a car accident, a pedestrian accident can result in significant injuries. A pedestrian accident attorney is familiar with the legal nuances of filing a claim and what it takes to get results.

When you hire an experienced attorney, they will explain the legal process of filing a claim so you can make informed decisions. One of the most significant advantages of hiring a pedestrian accident attorney is they will handle the necessary paperwork and act as your legal advocate so you can focus on your recovery.

Another vital legal service a pedestrian accident attorney provides clients is gathering crucial evidence that supports their claim, including police reports, medical records, eyewitness statements, and video surveillance. A personal injury lawyer can also call on an accident reconstructionist to report how and why the incident occurred.

However, most pedestrian accident cases are settled out of court through negotiations between attorneys and insurance representatives.

Suppose the insurance provider is unwilling to offer compensation that sufficiently covers your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related damages. In that case, your attorney will take the case to trial.

What Type of Compensation Can I Recover After Being Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?

Pedestrian accidents can result in injured victims being left to deal with costly medical expenses that are challenging, if not impossible, for them to pay. In addition to facing a stack of medical bills, many pedestrian accident victims cannot return to work and worry about how they will support themselves and their families.

California personal injury law allows pedestrian accident victims to pursue compensation for economic and non-economic damages they have incurred due to injury.

Economic Damages

Economic damages repay accident victims for the money they have paid after being injured. Some of the compensatory damages often awarded in pedestrian accident cases include those for:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning potential
  • Property damage

Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may need further medical care, including physical therapy or rehabilitation, which can quickly become economically unsustainable. A San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer will thoroughly assess your claim and argue that you should receive adequate compensation for your medical expenses.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are compensation for intangible losses unique to each personal injury case. If awarded, some common non-economic damages may include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Emotional distress
  • Permanent disfigurement and scarring

How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in California?

Individuals who have been injured in California pedestrian accidents have two years from the day of their injury to file compensation claims. California’s statute of limitations places a time limit on personal injury claims to ensure that courts are not backlogged with old cases and that fresh evidence is readily available. The statute of limitations also ensures that a potential at-fault driver does not have to live indefinitely with the threat of litigation.

Anyone injured in a pedestrian accident must seek legal representation immediately. Although two years may seem like ample time to file a personal injury claim, life can get in the way, making it more challenging to prove your case. For example, witnesses may move, or their memories quickly fade.

If you have tragically lost a family member due to a wrongful death caused by a pedestrian accident, you have two years from the date of death to try and recover compensation for your loss.

If you fail to file your pedestrian accident claim before the time expires, your case will most likely be thrown out, and you will be prohibited from pursuing compensation.

Finn Trial Attorneys APC is prepared to help you file a claim so you do not miss any critical deadlines. To learn more about how we can help, contact our law firm and ask to speak with a San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer who will gladly answer your questions.

What are the Legal Advantages of Choosing Your Law Firm to Help Me File a Pedestrian Accident Claim?

Finn Trial Attorneys APC is a San Diego law firm dedicated to helping injury victims recover maximum compensation. Our attorneys realize you are concerned about paying for medical expenses and recouping your lost income.

Our San Diego pedestrian accident lawyers have extensive experience handling pedestrian accident claims and are familiar with common tactics insurance companies use to reduce claims. Unlike attorneys who focus solely on profits, our law firm strives to build solid attorney-client relationships and trust.

We never encourage clients to take insufficient settlements that will not adequately provide for the future. To learn more about our legal services, contact our San Diego pedestrian accident lawyers today at 619-375-5105 to schedule a free case evaluation.