Accidents Involving Pedestrians

Given that Southern California is notorious for having some of the worst traffic in the country, many people take to walking to get to where they need to go. And while walking is generally a safe way to get around, pedestrians in Los Angeles and Orange Counties face more hazards than most. Whether an accident is caused by a distracted, aggressive, or just plain negligent driver, accidents involving pedestrians are common. Not only that, pedestrian accidents, on average, are much more likely to result in serious or even fatal injuries when compared to other types of motor vehicle collisions. At Power Trial Lawyers, our respected team of Orange County pedestrian accident attorneys has more than a decade of experience helping victims recover the damages they need to start moving on with their life after the accident.

Pedestrian accidents are certainly not the most common type of motor vehicle collision in that they make up only a small percentage of the total number of car accidents. However, accidents involving pedestrians are disproportionately represented when it comes to fatal accidents. In fact, 13 percent of all traffic-related fatalities are due to pedestrian accidents. For example, in 2018, more than 890 people were killed in accidents involving pedestrians. This figure has increased dramatically over the past decade.

When it comes to pedestrian safety, it’s a two-way street; both pedestrians and drivers have a responsibility to be safe and take the necessary precautions to avoid an accident. Thus, while a small percentage of pedestrian accidents are the result of pedestrian negligence, more often than not, the fault rests with the driver of a car, truck, SUV or motorcycle.

Some of the most common causes of accidents involving pedestrians include:

• Distracted driving
• Aggressive driving
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Intersection accidents
• Drowsy driving
• Drunk driving

Regardless of the reason why a driver struck you, bringing a personal injury lawsuit may enable you to recover compensation for your injuries. And, in the tragic event that your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, your family may be entitled to significant monetary compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.

It is a common misconception that pedestrians always have the right of way. In fact, under California law, pedestrians only have the right of way when crossing at a crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Otherwise, pedestrians do not have the right of way and must yield to passing vehicles. However, this does not excuse a driver from striking a pedestrian. Drivers still need to exercise care, even when a pedestrian is crossing without the right of way. At the same time, pedestrians must exercise care when crossing the street at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. The import of this is that, after an accident, the driver may claim that the pedestrian was partially or primarily responsible for the accident, decreasing or eliminating their ability to collect financial compensation from the driver who hit them.

If you or a loved one was recently injured in a pedestrian accident, the dedicated attorneys at Power Trial Lawyers can help. Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys has more than a decade of experience obtaining significant damages awards on behalf of our clients who were injured in accidents involving pedestrians. We can help you understand your rights and effectively bring a claim against the driver who hit you. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with an attorney today, call 844-844-POWER (7693). You can also connect with us through our online contact form. We proudly represent clients in Los Angeles County and Orange County and have conveniently located offices in Los Angeles and Newport Beach.