How Do I Know if I Have a Pedestrian Accident Case?
Many pedestrian accidents are the result of driver negligence and could have been avoided. Victims often suffer life-altering injuries and sometimes even death. If you or a loved one were injured in a pedestrian accident, consider reviewing your situation with a licensed attorney.
If you have a valid claim, the personal injury attorneys at the Arnold Law Firm are ready to help you with the legal process. Our firm has more than 200 years of combined experience pursuing compensation for California injury victims.
Fault for a Pedestrian Accident
To pursue compensation for accident injuries, pedestrian victims must provide evidence that the vehicle driver is at fault.
Motorists have a responsibility to watch for pedestrians and obey right-of-way laws to avoid hitting them. Unfortunately, drivers can be negligent behind the wheel and fail to look for pedestrians.
There are many examples of driver negligence that can contribute to a pedestrian accident:
- Running a stop sign or red light
- Failing to stop at a crosswalk
- Passing another vehicle at a crosswalk
- Driving while impaired or distracted
- Making a right turn without first looking for pedestrians
If the driver receives a traffic citation at the scene of the accident, it can strengthen your claim for damages. A citation helps connect the driver’s actions to your injuries, which is a critical element of any negligence claim.
What if the Insurance Company Claims You are at Fault?
Insurance companies may claim the victim is partially to blame for an injury. In a pedestrian accident claim, they may say the pedestrian was jaywalking at the time of the accident. They may also say you were impaired or walking in a place where pedestrian traffic is prohibited.
The experienced attorneys at Arnold Law Firm know how to defend a claim against these tactics. If we represent you, we are prepared to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident, which may include taking pictures of the accident scene, reviewing any nearby surveillance footage, reviewing the police accident report, and interviewing the driver and any witnesses.
Even if the insurance company can prove your actions contributed to the accident, you may still be able to pursue compensation for damages. Under California’s pure comparative negligence system, victims’ compensation awards are reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault.
Factors in the Value of a Settlement
There are a variety of factors that can affect the value of your claim. The insurance adjuster and your attorney will likely consider the following factors when evaluating your claim:
- The severity of your injuries
- How clear liability is in the case
- The nature and extent of your medical treatment
- Whether the accident caused you to become disabled
- How much income you lost as a result of the collision
- The strength of your evidence against the insured driver
Contact Arnold Law Today to Discuss Your Accident
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, the Sacramento auto accident lawyers at the Arnold Law Firm may be able to pursue compensation for your damages. We understand how to prove a driver may be liable for a pedestrian accident and the victim’s damages.
If we find you have a case and you hire us to provide legal representation, we are prepared to handle communication with the insurance company so that you can focus on your recovery.
Contact us today to discuss what happened to you or your loved one. Call (916) 777-7777 to schedule a free consultation or fill out a Free Case Evaluation form.