Woodland Hills Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents are some of the most severe types of accidents that can happen on the road. Due to the limited protective measures people can have against a motor vehicle, the chances of sustaining catastrophic injuries is very likely. According to a Pedestrian Safety report from the California Office of Traffic Safety, California’s pedestrian fatality rate is almost 25% higher than the national average, which means that the chances of becoming an injured pedestrian is higher than any other state in the country.

If you or a loved one were involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for damages. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our dedicated team of pedestrian accident lawyers are here to represent and serve as your personal legal counsel. As a law firm that specializes in personal injury law, our team of attorneys have handled a variety of pedestrian accidents from collisions to catastrophic accidents that lead to wrongful death claims. With over 20 years of legal experience, we are confident that we can get you the financial compensation that you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation to our deserving clients and our compassionate team of attorneys understand how difficult filing personal injury claims can be especially if you are injured. As such, they are more than ready to handle your case with the care and respect that it deserves. So if you have any questions or concerns regarding your case, our team of attorneys are available 24/7 to address them and put your mind at ease.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Injury Cases

When it comes to determining the most common causes of pedestrian accident claims, there are a number of possible factors that can lead up to an accident. However, from what is typically seen in the Los Angeles area poor weather conditions and driver and pedestrian negligence are the most common. Each of these causes all have their sets of challenges which is why it is important to familiarize yourself in order to have a better grasp on your situation.

Driver Negligence

Negligent motorists are defined as drivers who intentionally or recklessly do not follow California road laws and conduct unsafe driving practices such as drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding, and drowsy driving. Since pedestrians are at a high risk of getting involved in an accident, California Vehicle Code 21950 indicates a series of rules to protect pedestrians from negligent drivers. This includes having drivers yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians, not driving on the sidewalk, and not stopping in the middle of marked crosswalks.

This involves giving pedestrians the right-of-way even if they are doing illegal antics, such as crossing a street that does not have a marked crosswalk. If any violations are committed and an accident occurs as a result, injured pedestrians can sue the responsible party to recover compensation for damages such as lost wages and medical expenses.

Pedestrian Negligence

Similar to drivers, pedestrians are also obligated to share the road with others and comply with traffic rules and regulations. Any failure to do this can trigger a pedestrian accident where they could be held liable for damages, especially if the pedestrian was committing jaywalking against oncoming traffic, distracted walking, drunk walking, and deliberately/recklessly ignoring traffic signs and signals.

However, if a driver gets into an accident because they were trying to avoid hitting a pedestrian who was illegally crossing the street, then that pedestrian will be held liable for damages caused by the car accident. In cases such as these it is recommended to hire a pedestrian accident attorney in order to help determine liability between the injured pedestrians and the drivers involved.

Poor Weather Conditions

Poor weather conditions are typically defined as weather that can affect a driver’s and a pedestrian’s safety. This can include heavy rain, dense fog, and high winds, and if driver’s are not careful, they can lose control of their vehicle and cause a variety of pedestrian accidents. In cases such as these, the liability would fall onto the driver, because they did not take an extra step in preventing an accident from occurring.

What You Should Do After a Pedestrian Accident

If you were injured in an accident, it is vital to call 911 as soon as possible and have first responders arrive on the scene and take control to prevent any more incidents from occurring. If your injuries are minor, try to have responding officers take witness statements and collect contact information from those involved in the accident and once they have done so, you can ask for a copy of the police report at a later time.

In the meantime, it is vital that you have a medical professional assess the severity of your injuries. Whether you have sustained a series of minor injuries or a severe one, it is important to file a claim with a pedestrian accident attorney in order to have your medical costs paid off and hold those responsible for their actions. In addition, you should also have your accident attorney negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to make sure they give you fair compensation for any damages or injuries you sustained from the accident.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you have sustained injuries in the city of Woodland Hills as a result of a pedestrian accident, you may be eligible for compensation for your damages. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of pedestrian accident attorneys are here to fight for you and represent your best interests at court. With over 20 years of legal experience, our team of pedestrian accident lawyers are confident that they can get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation for our deserving clients and we will continue to do our duty to represent them and look out for their best interests. Whether you were involved in a severe pedestrian accident or unsure about the legitimacy of your personal injury claim, our lawyers are available to address any questions or concerns you may have about your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents In Woodland Hills

Can Pedestrians Be At Fault for an Accident?

Pedestrians can be at fault for an accident if they were negligent or reckless in their actions. However, in most cases, they tend to be held partially liable due to California’s comparative negligence model. According to California Civil Code 1431.2, if a victim is partially responsible for causing an accident then their liability will be reflected in their awarded compensation. For example, if a jaywalker was 25% responsible for causing an accident, then 25% would be subtracted from their total awarded compensation to take account of their portion of causing the accident.

How Much Compensation Can I Get In a Pedestrian Accident Case?

The awarded amount pedestrian accident victims can get will be dependent on the severity of their injury and whether they require any additional medical support or quality of life adjustment in order to live/recover. For example, any victim that has suffered traumatic brain injuries will be able to receive a sum around the six to seven figure range in order to pay all of the associated medical bills that comes with it.

If a Loved One Did Not Survive a Pedestrian Accident Am I Entitled to Compensation?

Depending on your connection to your loved one, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim and recover compensation for their untimely passing. However, you would need to be an immediate family member such as a spouse, parent, or child to file a wrongful death claim, but if the deceased does not have any of the following family members that meet that criteria then the eligibility would be extended to distant family members and official representatives.