Pedestrian Accident Law Firm in Costa Mesa Helping You Get the Compensation You Deserve
Every year tens of thousands of people are stuck by a vehicle while walking around. Thousands of those people die. It’s incredibly important that pedestrians exercise extreme caution when walking around cities and towns like Costa Mesa. Even if you follow the signs, pay attention to road hazards, and make eye contact with drivers, there’s always the possibility the driver won’t see you. This can result in a catastrophic injury. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, one of the firsts on your list should be to call a pedestrian accident attorney. Your life has likely changed significantly due to this accident and a skilled attorney can at the very least ensure you and your family are taken care of.
What Determines Fault in a Pedestrian Accident?
The pedestrian doesn’t always have the right of way when it comes to traffic. Figuring out who is liable when an accident occurs is complicated and long. Sadly, pedestrian accidents tend to have some tough results. You might not even have been able to make a statement at the scene. If that happens, the driver’s account of what happened may influence the outcome of the trial pretty significantly. Drivers have a responsibility to drive with a certain amount of care and safety. Drivers shouldn’t be distracted, speeding, or refusing to follow the basic rules of the road. Drivers are expected to show even more caution when driving near children.
That said, pedestrians are also responsible for being cautious and working to protect themselves. They shouldn’t ignore signs, run into traffic, or jaywalk. If they do, it could be considered negligence that contributed to the accident.
What if I Was Jaywalking?
Jaywalking is a term for a pedestrian crossing the street without a crosswalk. It’s incredibly dangerous and can easily lead to a vehicle colliding with the pedestrian. That said, if you were jaywalking at the time of your accident, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be held responsible. If the driver should have seen you and stopped, they could be held responsible for your accident. If you did, however, step out in front of ongoing traffic, you very well could be at least held partially responsible. It’s your responsibility to cross the road safely. If the judge believes the other party is mainly responsible, but does believe jaywalking contributed to your accident, you could receive a smaller compensation. A skilled pedestrian accident attorney can quickly take a look at your case and help you determine what the best strategy for you is going forward.
What Damages Could I Receive?
Being struck by a vehicle while on foot can easily result in life altering injuries or even death. Medical bills, lost wages, physical therapy… These are all high costs that you shouldn’t have to worry about if your accident was caused by someone else. If a driver or other party is responsible or partially responsible for your accident, they could owe you for both economic and non-economic damages. Our Costa Mesa pedestrian accident lawyers can look at your claim and let you know how much it might be worth.
Do I Really Need a Personal Lawyer?
Pedestrian accidents are never straightforward. There are so many factors that come into play. There are tons of injury possibilities and, sadly, death. Whether you’re fighting a battle with the hospital or recovering in your bed, your focus, as a victim, should be on getting better, and not your stack of medical bills. Whether you were injured or a loved one died in a pedestrian accident, you deserve to have a knowledgeable professional fighting by your side. Let us find the right next steps to get the compensation you deserve so you can start living your life again. Give The Accident Network Law Group a call at (714) 844-1010 for a free one on one consultation.