Visalia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Visalia Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Because cars and other motor vehicles are much larger than pedestrians and travel at faster speeds, they can easily cause traumatic accidents and injuries to pedestrians if they collide. If you were injured by a vehicle while walking in or around traffic in Visalia, you should get in touch with a Visalia pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as you’re able. A qualified personal injury attorney can help you through your claim and fight to ensure you’re compensated.

A Devoted Personal Injury Team in Visalia

At the Law Offices of David Davidi, APLC, we can evaluate your case, determine liability, and assist you in fighting for the compensation that you’re rightfully owed. Our team empathizes with the stress you’re under and won’t charge you for legal services until we win your case and get financial compensation for your pain. We prioritize open, honest communication and are always prepared to answer any questions you may have.

If you’re looking for a personal injury lawyer who can advocate for the pain you’ve endured after a Visalia pedestrian accident, the Law Offices of David Davidi, APLC, can represent you.

Who Is Considered a Pedestrian in California?

A pedestrian is considered to be any person who is traveling in a public space on foot. This simply means a pedestrian is a person who is on or near a road but not using any sort of vehicle. In some cases, bicyclists may qualify as pedestrians, but it depends on the exact guidelines of the county in which the accident occurred. Generally, cyclists can file specific bike accident injury claims instead of pedestrian injury claims.

Under California law, a pedestrian can be someone who moves by:

• Walking
• Walking while using crutches
• Using a manual wheelchair, motorized wheelchair, or any other assistive mobility device
• Skateboard
• Manual or electric scooter
• Rollerblades
• Skis

What Causes Accidents Between Cars and Pedestrians?

Several factors or conditions may lead to a car causing harm to a nearby pedestrian. Some of the most common examples include:

• The Driver Is Distracted. Whether a driver is distracted from their passengers, electronic devices, poor road conditions, or other interferences, inattentive driving is more likely to result in negligent actions.
• The Driver Is Tired. Dangerous accidents can also occur in situations where the driver is physically impaired from their lack of sleep.
• The Driver Is Under the Influence. When a driver is under the influence of alcohol or other substances, their judgment and motor function are both impaired, leading to reckless driving and sometimes even fatal accidents.
• The Driver Ignored Traffic Signals. Pedestrians are also at risk of vehicles backing up and drivers who fail to adhere to proper traffic regulations. This can include not yielding, incorrectly signaling while turning, or failing to respond to others’ signals and traffic lights/road signs.

Common Bodily Injuries Sustained by Pedestrians After Car Accidents

It’s most common for pedestrians struck during a car accident to suffer injuries in their lower extremities, followed by wounds to the head, face, neck, and upper extremities. Broken bones are also frequently seen in people who’ve been hit by an automobile and often occur in the arms and legs.

Unfortunately, it’s also possible for the spinal column and brain to sustain injuries after a harsh collision. Both spinal injuries and traumatic brain injuries can be extremely damaging and often impact a victim for the rest of their life or cause a disability.

Additionally, even minor harm from an accident in Visalia, CA,  can lead to a long-term disability. Bodily damage resulting in bruising, joint dislocations, and internal tears (soft tissue damages) often are overlooked or go unnoticed while causing pain during the long-term recovery period. This is often due to the injuries not receiving the care they need and slowly getting worse over time.

What Pedestrians Are the Most at Risk for Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries in California?

Elderly pedestrians and other citizens with diminished faculties are more likely to be involved in car collisions. Individuals without the ability to make quick decisions or react quickly enough due to mobility issues are at a higher risk because they cannot quickly move out of the way if they notice a reckless driver. Additionally, people who are hard of hearing or have poor vision are less likely to notice approaching cars.

Older individuals are often physically frail with deteriorating bone and muscle strength. These factors leave these pedestrians more vulnerable to broken bones, spinal injuries, and other serious injuries if they are involved in an accident. Elderly citizens are also commonly dependent on prescription medications that can cause excess bleeding and other adverse symptoms when faced with bodily trauma.

Unfortunately, children are included in the category of pedestrians highly susceptible to injuries following a collision with a car. Due to their small stature and underdeveloped bones/muscle tone, young kids are less protected and incapable of absorbing the force of the impact. Head traumas are frequently seen injuries in children who are victims of car accidents.

Damages Besides Physical Injury in Pedestrian Accidents

The medical bills that result from your necessary treatment, including emergency care, surgery, follow-up care, rehabilitation/physical therapy, assistive devices, and mental health counseling, are all viewed as economic damages from your accident. Additional economic damages may include diminished capacity to earn income and lost wages while in recovery. Economic damages are designed to compensate victims for their financial losses.

Non-economic damages are considered to be damages that are not tangible or immediately visible. These damages may include pain and suffering, emotional/psychological distress, trauma, and/or loss of consortium (deprived of or losing companionship, loss, society, etc.). Non-economic damages are meant to help victims recover and compensate them for the additional hardships they’ve endured because of someone else’s negligence.

What Should You Do After Being Involved in a Pedestrian Accident in Visalia?

It’s important to seek medical attention quickly after being struck by a vehicle. Even if you feel well enough or wish to save money by treating surface wounds at home, you should never delay the opinion of a healthcare professional. Many injuries are not visible or immediately apparent to you or your family. Additionally, a healthcare professional can document the extent of your injury officially, which can help you with your claim later.

After seeking medical attention and beginning the process of recovery, you should contact a Visalia personal injury attorney. Working with an attorney can help you address the varying legalities of your case as well as help you build a strong claim to fight for damages. With an attorney on your side, you can focus on healing while an experienced lawyer handles the difficult legal aspects of your claim.

FAQs for Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Q: What Happens If You Hit a Pedestrian in California?

A: If you hit someone, the law requires you to attempt to get the victim access to emergency medical care as well as report the incident. It’s also important that you never leave the scene. If you flee the scene after injuring a pedestrian, this can increase the charges against you and result in drastic consequences. Do not panic if you are involved in an accident. Instead, immediately reach out to emergency medical teams, local authorities, and an experienced lawyer.

Q: Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way in California?

A: Pedestrians are usually assumed to have right-of-way, meaning the driver is deemed at fault in most accidents. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If the pedestrian has been signaled by an officer or traffic lights not to cross, they lose their automatic right-of-way. Although, vision-impaired individuals who use a cane or guide dog always have the right-of-way in any case.

Q: Is California a No-Fault or an At-Fault State?

A: California is an at-fault state, meaning the party responsible for the accident is liable for paying damages. It’s also a comparative fault state, which means more than one party can be proven to be responsible for the incident. You may still receive compensation if you are at fault, but it will be at a reduced percentage. For example, if you are found to be 25% at fault for the accident, you can still receive 75% of the settlement amount you were awarded.

Q: Who Is At Fault if You Hit a Jaywalker in California?

A: Jaywalking is no longer illegal in the state of California. This means that if a pedestrian safely crosses the street outside of a crosswalk while there are no cars or while yielding to oncoming traffic, they are within their legal rights. If a jaywalker is hit by a car for reasons outside of their taken precautions, such as the driver running a red light, they won’t be viewed as partially at fault since they broke no laws.

Visalia Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Who Are Ready to Help

No matter how severe your injuries may be, no negligent driver should go unaccountable for the harm they caused you. At the Law Offices of David Davidi, APLC, your case is important to use. We know how difficult an accident can be and how quickly it can change your life. That’s why we are devoted to helping Visalia residents through challenging personal injury claims.

If you are a victim of a Visalia pedestrian accident, contact our firm today to schedule a consultation with one of our team members and begin fighting for compensation.