Hit By a Negligent Driver?
Los Angeles is famous for its traffic and congestion.
And as such, in order to avoid the madness of the roads, some people choose to commute to work and run errands by other means, such as walking.
And even those who drive are often forced to cross busy roads after parking in order to reach their destination.
But walking can be just as hectic--and even more dangerous--than driving.
In fact, pedestrian deaths in Los Angeles have increased in recent years, with dozens of people killed while on foot in the city.
Even when pedestrian accidents are not fatal, they can have devastating consequences.
At the office of Starpoint Law, LC Attorneys at Law, our pedestrian accidents attorneys in Los Angeles are passionate about helping injured people and their families understand the legal system and recover compensation for harm suffered.
How Negligent Drivers Causes Pedestrian Accidents
A pedestrian accident is often the cause of a negligent driver who fails to see the pedestrian or fails to respond appropriately to a pedestrian in the road.
Indeed, some of the top driver actions that cause pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles include:
- Speeding;
- Failing to yield;
- Failing to come to a complete stop;
- Rolling through a right-hand turn;
- Driving through a crosswalk;
- Driving while intoxicated or impaired;
- Driving while distracted; and
- Driving aggressively.
Most pedestrian accidents would not occur but for drivers’ actions.
When a negligent driver causes a pedestrian accident, the injured party deserves to be compensated.
Injuries Suffered By Pedestrians in Los Angeles
The idea of having 4,000+ pounds of steel come in contact with your body is no doubt terrifying.
When a pedestrian accident happens, this is exactly what happens.
And the faster that the vehicle is traveling, the more force that is involved in the crash, and that is therefore exerted upon the pedestrian’s body.
Because pedestrians have no protection to prevent harm, it is their bodies that absorb the force of the crash and suffer the greatest degree of damage.
When a pedestrian is hit by a car, the list of injuries that they may suffer is long. Common injuries include:
- Bruises and lacerations;
- Crush injuries;
- Amputation injuries;
- Traumatic brain and head injuries;
- Internal injuries;
- Bone fracture injuries;
- Soft tissue injuries; and
- Spine and spinal cord injuries.
It is easy to see how disabling and debilitating these injuries can be - spinal cord injuries can lead to complete and irreparable harm; a traumatic brain injury can affect everything from mobility to speech and emotion, and even a bone fracture injury can cause long-term impairment.
If a pedestrian who is hit by a car survives, they may never be able to work or do the things that they once loved again.
Tragically, many pedestrian accidents are fatal.
If a pedestrian accident results in death, we can represent surviving family members in a wrongful death action for damages.
Steps to Take after a Pedestrian Accident
When you are hit by a car, the most important thing is getting immediate medical care and attending to your injuries.
As you slowly begin to heal, it will become more and more necessary to start thinking about the process of filing a pedestrian accident claim - the clock on California’s statute of limitations is ticking.
As soon as possible after your accident, you or a capable loved one should make sure that the accident is reported to the police; that evidence relevant to the case is gathered; that medical care is documented; and that your insurance company is informed of the accident (even if you were traveling on foot, if you have car insurance, we recommend reporting the accident to your insurance agent).
Then, you should call a Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer.
The sooner that you call an attorney, the sooner that your attorney can begin working on your case and gathering evidence that is essential to its success.
Further, the sooner that your case is started, the earlier--hopefully--that you will be able to recover the settlement that you need to start putting the pieces of your life back together.
Why Choose Star Point Law?
Our lawyers are skilled with pedestrian accidents and know how to negotiate with insurance adjusters to reach fair settlement agreements.
We also know how to defend our clients against claims of comparative negligence, thereby protecting our clients’ ability to recover the full amount of compensation that they are owed.
Further, our investigative skills and resources--including the resources necessary to hire experts--allow us to identify all potentially at-fault parties and all sources of insurance available; typically, the more insurance policies that are available, the greater settlement value that a client will recover.
You Deserve to Be Compensated - Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help
When a pedestrian accident changes your and your family’s lives, you deserve to be compensated for every cent that you have suffered and will suffer in the future.
Our pedestrian attorneys can help you to build a case that proves that your accident would not have occurred but for the actions of the negligent driver.
In addition to proving fault and liability, we will work hard to substantiate the value of your claim, negotiating a settlement that fully compensates you for your:
- Medical bills;
- Lost wages;
- Property damage losses;
- Future lost wages and medical expenses; and
- Noneconomic damages like pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
There is no doubt that when a pedestrian accident leaves you seriously injured, you deserve to be fully compensated for our harm.
Our lawyers are dedicated to helping people like you bring forth successful claims and hold negligent parties liable for the harm they cause.
We know that filing a claim may seem like a complex legal process - when you hire our law firm, we will work for you and manage all aspects of your case so you can focus on your recovery.
To schedule your free consultation with our pedestrian accident attorney in Los Angeles, call the office of Starpoint Law today or send us a message directly.