Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Riverside, CA
Automobile versus pedestrian accidents are some of the most serious traffic collisions because of the complete lack of protection for the pedestrian. A pedestrian is completely defenseless against a motor vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every seven minutes, a pedestrian is injured in a traffic accident, and every two hours, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic accident. Pedestrian accidents account for three percent of the injuries in traffic collisions and fourteen percent of the fatalities in traffic collisions.
Because of an increase in the number of pedestrian accidents and the seriousness of this issue, the U.S. Department of Transportation has made pedestrian safety a top priority by launching the U.S. DOT Safer People, Safer Streets Initiative. Government agencies are working together to increase awareness of the danger posed to pedestrians with the goal of improving conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the United States. Approximately 40 percent of pedestrians surveyed said they did not expect drivers to stop for them even when they are in a crosswalk.
It is unfortunate that pedestrian accidents occur as often as they do. Many automobile drivers do not maintain a lookout for pedestrians including runners and walkers. In many cases, pedestrian accidents occur even though the pedestrian is being cautious. The traumatic, debilitating, and permanent injuries that result from pedestrian accidents with motorcycles, trucks, and cars result in substantial financial, physical, and emotional damages for the pedestrian and his or her family.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation from the at-fault driver. Contact the Riverside pedestrian accident attorneys at Heiting & Irwin to discuss your case, without any charge or obligation.
Crosswalk Accident Attorneys in the Inland Empire
Automobile drivers have a duty of care to keep a proper lookout and pay attention to the road ahead to avoid colliding with a pedestrian. Even though the pedestrian has a duty of care to watch for vehicles, a driver has a higher duty of care to prevent collisions with pedestrians under California law. A driver must yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks; however, a driver must also watch out for pedestrians who are outside of the crosswalk.
Most pedestrian accidents occur because the driver is not paying attention due to texting, talking on the cell phone, grooming, eating, using GPS, adjusting the radio, or performing other tasks that take the driver’s attention away from the road. When a driver causes a pedestrian accident, the driver can be held liable for economic damages including medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and funeral expenses. The driver can also be held liable for non-economic damages including physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional suffering.
Automobile insurance companies have teams of adjusters, attorneys, and other professionals who work together to pay injury claimants the lowest settlement possible. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you deserve to have a team of legal professionals fight for your right to receive a fair and just settlement for your injuries.
Our pedestrian accident lawyers perform a comprehensive and thorough accident investigation to identify and preserve key evidence to establish fault and calculate the maximum amount of compensation that is fair and justifiable for your injuries and all other losses. You deserve to have a legal team on your side to even the playing field when dealing with an insurance company.
What If The Driver Does Not Stop?
Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents are common in our area. Drivers do not want to be responsible for the injuries they cause or they may not have insurance coverage and are fearful of the consequences of causing a pedestrian accident while driving without insurance. If you are injured in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation under your own automobile insurance policy. Beware; dealing with your own insurance company is just like dealing with an insurance company for the at-fault driver.
All insurance companies are in business to make money; therefore, your insurance company will still seek to pay the lowest amount of compensation possible. Therefore, it is in your best interest to consult with a Riverside pedestrian accident lawyer to ensure you are being treated fairly.
Our Riverside, CA Pedestrian Accidents Attorneys Want To Help You
Pedestrian accidents result in injuries that range from minor to catastrophic. In many cases, injuries can cause permanent disabilities that require life-long medical care and/or personal care. A spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI), both common in Riverside pedestrian accidents, can change a person’s life forever. Extensive physical therapy, modifications to the home, and psychological counseling may be needed to help the accident victim cope with the new challenges faced because a careless, reckless, or negligent driver did not use care and attention required to avoid colliding with a pedestrian.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, call the personal injury attorneys at Heiting & Irwin at 951-682-6400 or contact our office online to schedule a free consultation. We want to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to receive under California’s personal injury laws. Money will not undo the damage done by a careless driver; however, a financial settlement can help you and your family with the losses and damages from being hit by a motor vehicle.
