Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Glendale

Each day, pedestrians are harmed in motor vehicle accidents – they are struck both in crowded areas with high foot traffic and quiet roads with little visitors. Victims are usually severely injured due to the discrepancy between the protection of the car and the protection of the pedestrians. Anyone can be hit, from single individuals to small families to groups of children. After an accident, it is wise to seek out the assistance of a pedestrian accident attorney in Glendale. Our team of attorneys at the Downtown LA Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for our clients and knows the best methods to winning your rightful restitution. Pedestrians are vulnerable – don’t be vulnerable in the eyes of the law, too. Let one of our experienced attorneys represent you.

How Many Pedestrians Are Killed By Cars Each Year?

In California, there are over 250 pedestrians struck and killed by cars each year. This is a fair percentage of the whole – nationally, over 5,000 individuals on foot die because of car accidents. It should be known, though, that the definition of pedestrian also includes those on skateboards, roller blades, and more. However, more people walk than take alternate modes of pedestrian travel.

Where Do Most Pedestrian Fatalities Occur?

Pedestrian fatalities occur nearly everywhere on the road. Some parts bar pedestrians from walking there; for example, freeways and some bridges do not have sidewalks or any safe place for people to travel if they are not in cars, so walking is expressly prohibited. Other areas have high foot traffic. Downtown locations, bustling shopping centers, malls, school zones, college campuses, and train stations all feature hundreds of pedestrians walking around at a time. These locations have ample crosswalks, pedestrian-controlled signals, and numerous signs. Crosswalks are often the location of most pedestrian accidents; cars may try to turn on red lights and not notice that people are starting to walk, or they may come up to the cross walk without seeing someone walking in front. They may also outright ignore some of the signals and speed through anyway.

Learn more about your options for compensation by calling (855) 339-8879.

One of the major problems and causes of pedestrian accidents is jaywalking. Jaywalking is crossing the street at a non-designated area. Although all drivers must yield to pedestrians who jaywalk, the difficult and danger is present in the fact that there is no way of telling where a pedestrian may come from. Most drivers are attuned to crosswalks, the colors on the road, and the yellow signs, but if an individual simply emerges from in between two cars with the intention of walking, then the pedestrian is much more difficult to see and to predict when he will cross.

What Are Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents?

Pedestrian accidents are commonly attributed to the negligence of the driver. It is not common that a pedestrian would be at fault for being struck by a car, but all pedestrians should still be extremely careful and exercise caution whenever possible. For example, if you tend to walk at night, you should wear light clothing or something that could be reflective. Alcohol is one of the primary causes of accidents. Drunk drivers are usually unable to act in time if they notice a pedestrian; they may have blurred vision, slow reflexes, and an inability to concentrate. They may also be tired and pass out behind the wheel. Pedestrians who have been drinking are also more likely to be involved in accidents for similar reasons; some have simply lain down in the middle of the road or parking lots, while others have stumbled or wandered into streets.

Other causes include:

• Poor weather conditions causing the road to become slippery and drivers to have trouble handling their vehicles
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Running red lights and stop signs
• Ignoring the right of way of pedestrians
• Turning into crosswalks or turning on red lights

Cities like Glendale have lots of pedestrians, and if you have been hit by a car, you should take legal action against the responsible driver. There could be any number of reasons for the accident to happen, but if you were not at fault, you should not be held accountable for the ensuing damages and expenses. A Glendale pedestrian accident attorney at the Downtown LA Law Group can help you file your claim.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form or call (855) 339-8879 today.

What Are Some Injuries You Can Suffer From A Pedestrian Accident?

Pedestrian accidents are some of the most severe crashes that you can suffer. As a pedestrian, you are not protected at all while walking the street. Those in cars have airbags, seatbelts, cushions, and other safety devices meant to reduce the impact and lessen the injuries they receive. Anyone on foot, though, will be hurt much worse, especially depending on the type of accident. Some pedestrians are hit and flung forward; others roll over the car; still others are dragged some distance before being released or before the car stops. We have seen various types of injuries from pedestrian accidents, such as:

• Knee and hip damages
• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Closed head injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Broken bones
• Fractures and sprains
• Severed limbs
• Crushing injuries
• Degloving
• Lacerations
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Paraplegia and quadriplegia
• Coma
• Death

If you have been hurt in a pedestrian accident, you should seek out the help of an experienced attorney in Glendale who can file your claim for you. We will see to it that all of the aspects of the lawsuit are handled; your focus should not be on legal action, but on recovering from your injuries. The additional stress can worsen your damages and delay your recovery time.

Can A Pedestrian Sue If Hit By A Car?

Yes, a pedestrian can sue if hit by a car. In order to file a lawsuit, you must be able to prove that you were the victim of negligent action. All personal injury lawsuits are predicated on negligence. An expert pedestrian accident attorney in Glendale can help you establish the four points of negligence, which are:

• You were owed a duty of care
• The duty of care was breached in some manner
• The breach of duty resulted in an accident of some kind
• The accident resulted in physical injuries

All drivers on the road have a duty to not harm anyone else, whether other drivers or pedestrians. If a driver broke the law or recklessly drove and caused a crash, he would be liable for the ensuing expenses. You must have been physically harmed if you wish to file a personal injury claim – without injuries, you will only be able to collect certain compensation, such as reimbursement of lost wages.

How Can I Sue If A Car Hit Me?

The first part of taking legal action occurs right after the accident. The most important thing you can do is ensure that you are medically treated. You can call the paramedics or go to the hospital; either way, you should be evaluated for injuries and given treatment. If you do not receive treatment, or if you wait too long to go to the doctor, your claim will suffer; the insurance agent will see the gap and can claim that you were hurt in another incident besides the car crash and you are blaming your injuries on the accident. To combat this, you should also take pictures of your injuries as soon as you can and keep all medical notes, doctor’s notes, hospital bills, and other expenses. They will be included in the evidence package. You can additionally take photos of the scene of the accident to show where you were at the time and to illustrate the conditions of the street. It is also wise to ask for statements from any eyewitnesses or bystanders who saw the incident take place. The police will likely have showed up to perform an investigation. Once the police report has been finalized, you can request a copy to be mailed to your home or to our office. Once you have collected all that you can from the scene of the accident, or if you have trouble due to hospitalization, you should contact a skilled pedestrian accident in Glendale who can handle your claim for you. We will gladly assemble your evidence package, write the demand letter, and begin negotiating the best deal from the insurance agency.

Learn more about your legal options: call (855) 339-8879 to speak with a representative now.

How Long After An Accident Can I File A Claim?

You have 2 years from the date of the injury resulting from the accident, not the date of the injury itself, to file a claim. This means that if you were involved in a crash and a herniated disc presented itself three months later, you would have from the discovery of the back problem instead of the incident. You may be able to have the statute of limitations extended if you meet certain criteria. For example, underage victims do not have to adhere to the statute until they turn 18 years old, and anyone who is left incapable of filing a claim is exempt until he returns to functioning health. It is not uncommon to be uncertain of how long you have until your claim expires. Our lawyers will ensure that your lawsuit is filed on time and we will submit all necessary documents for you.

How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit Worth?

The value of your pedestrian accident lawsuit will greatly depend on your injuries. The insurance agent will consider how impactful they were and how much they affected your job and daily life. If you needed to change careers and if you had to alter your life (such as with a handicap and needing to make your home wheelchair-accessible), your case will likely be worth more than if you only suffered minor injuries. Our lawyers will strive to bring you the compensation you deserve. Some pedestrian accident cases are worth over $1,000,000. We will negotiate the best deal with the insurance agent, aiming to bring you coverage for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages at work
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages in the event the driver acted with gross negligence or an intent to cause harm
• Wrongful death damages if a family member or loved one died in the accident

Call our offices today to get started on your pedestrian accident claim.

DTLA’s Promise

The Downtown LA Law Group promises to work around the clock to secure you the settlement you need if you were struck by a car as a pedestrian. You should not be expected to cover your damages if you were not at fault for the incident, and we will see to it that you are totally covered. Our team of experienced lawyers can help you file your case and will aggressively negotiate with the insurance agents, always working to keep your claim at the top of the file. We won’t rest until we are satisfied with the result. If you have questions, call our office at (855) 339-8879 to schedule a free consultation with a qualified lawyer. We are available around the clock and will tell you what we believe your case can earn. We’ll give you legal advice and inform you about the legal process. If you wish to hire us, we’ll also give you our zero fee guarantee. This promises that you will never touch your own savings for our services – we will only get paid if we win, and the money will come from the settlement we win from the insurance agency. If we lose, we don’t get paid at all, from anyone. We eat the loss ourselves and your personal funds are never touched. To speak with a Glendale pedestrian accident attorney about filing a lawsuit, contact the Downtown LA Law Group today at (855) 339-8879.