Bringing Justice To Injured Pedestrians In San Diego And San Francisco
Pedestrians are at a disadvantage on the roadways of San Diego and San Francisco. Many drivers are willing to risk someone else’s safety just to arrive at their own destination as soon as possible. This ends in a serious accident all too frequently.
You have rights if you were injured in an accident as a pedestrian. Our team at Rencher Law Group, P.C., can help you understand your rights, hold the perpetrator accountable for their negligence and obtain the compensation you need to cover your damages. Our lawyers also work with the family members of pedestrians who passed away due to negligent drivers.
The Many Dangers For Pedestrians
Walking from one destination to another should not be dangerous, but, as too many people have learned, it often is. There are many negligent driving habits on California’s streets that lead to pedestrian accidents, such as:
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Improper left-hand turns
- Failure to see pedestrians
- Failure to yield or stop
- Disobeying traffic signals
Pedestrians are almost always at a disadvantage in car crashes: They do not have a steel cage surrounding them to keep them safe. The injuries sustained are often catastrophically life-changing and bring piles of bills.
What Are The Rights Of Pedestrians In California?
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, a pedestrian is defined as a person walking or using a mobility device other than a bicycle. This can include those using mobility scooters, tricycles, wheelchairs, roller skates and even skateboards. Pedestrians do have the right of way in a road under certain conditions.
The most common situation in which the pedestrian has the right of way is at crosswalks. These are set aside specifically for them to cross busy streets, and drivers are required to stop and allow them through both marked and unmarked crosswalks. So long as a driver can safely stop before a pedestrian begins crossing, the pedestrian has the right of way.
Pedestrians also have the right of way on all sidewalks, and if a vehicle needs to cross a sidewalk, it is the driver’s responsibility to stop and allow pedestrians to cross first. Pedestrians do have a duty to be safe when crossing a road or walking near a vehicle, but overall the law provides many protections for them.
Where Most Pedestrian Deaths Occur
For many pedestrians, even when they are taking commonsense precautions to stay safe they can still be hit by a vehicle and killed. According to the Center for Disease Control and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the majority of pedestrian deaths occur in urban areas. These typically take place on streets where the pedestrian is not close to an intersection and vehicles are operating at a higher speed, increasing the chance for a serious or lethal injury.
Additionally, more than three quarters of these accidents happen at night, when visibility is poor and drivers will struggle to see pedestrians who are not wearing high visibility clothing. The way that you can protect yourself from these types of situations are to avoid crossing at unmarked crosswalks, particularly at night. Try and stay on the sidewalk and ensure that you are visible to any drivers.
Act Quickly – There Is A Statute Of Limitations
It is normal to feel disoriented in the days and weeks following an accident. However, you should contact an attorney as quickly as you can so you can meet the deadline for a civil lawsuit. In California, you have up to two years after the date of the accident to file a personal injury suit. If you and your lawyer miss this deadline, you will lose your right to collect compensation.
Information That Can Help Your Pedestrian Accident Attorney Prove Negligence
There are a few ways that you can help your attorney from the beginning of your case. The most important information that you will need for your case is the accident or police report from when you were injured. The information it contains regarding the details of the incident will be critical to proving negligence. Also, your medical records documenting your injuries and subsequent treatments will be essential for proving the basis for the damages you are owed.
Other useful information that your attorney will likely gather throughout the discovery period of your case includes eyewitness testimony from anyone who saw the accident happen. This will be done through depositions under oath or via court testimony. Expert witnesses will also be brought in to present the medical evidence to the jury, explaining the injuries and how they impact you.
Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Can Help You Seek Justice And Fair Compensation
Our team of lawyers at Rencher Law Group, P.C., is ready to stand up for your rights as a pedestrian or the loved one of a pedestrian. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not owe us any fee unless we recover compensation. To make a free initial consultation, call 415-900-1566 or use our online contact form.