The days and weeks following an accident are often scary. You might not even know how long it will take to recover from your injuries, let alone how you will take care of financial matters.

 

Around 700 people lost their lives in pedestrian accidents in California in 2015, and nearly a quarter of all motor vehicle-related fatalities were pedestrians. California has one of the highest pedestrian-related injury and death rates in the country.

 

Victims of pedestrian accidents may face serious or permanently disabling injuries that keep them from their livelihoods. Thankfully, California law provides recourse to victims of pedestrian injury in a personal injury lawsuit. If you believe that someone else is legally responsible for your recent injuries, we can help you understand your options.

 

At Pocklington Law, we believe that you should never have to pay for someone else’s negligence. That’s why we offer a free initial consultation to all our prospective clients. Contact us to schedule an appointment and let us answer any questions while reviewing the specifics of your case. If we believe you have legal grounds for a pedestrian lawsuit, we’ll offer our services on a contingency-fee basis.

 

Submit your online request for a free consultation and case review using our online form or give us a call at (925) 295-1304 for a free consultation. Read further for more information on pedestrian accident claims.

 

What constitutes a pedestrian accident? There are several different types of pedestrian accidents, but some are more common than others, including:

 

Hit and runs: These incidents are unfortunately common, as drivers may panic when they strike a pedestrian and flee the scene. While the increase of traffic cameras and surveillance maximizes the chances of finding the culprit, victims of hit and run accidents may have a more difficult time securing compensation for their injuries.

 

Intersection accidents: One of the most common scenarios involving pedestrian injury occurs with intersections. Vehicles are turning and changing lanes, and drivers may be distracted by their phones or other hazards,

 

Back over accidents: These occur when a driver accidentally runs into a pedestrian while in reverse. While not as common, they can still be serious. Statistically, these accidents are most likely to occur in parking structures, driveways, and parking lots.

 

Crush accidents: These accidents are rare, but often devastating. They occur when a pedestrian becomes caught between two vehicles or between a vehicle and a landmark in a head-on crash. Crushing injuries are often fatal or lead to permanently disabling injury.

 

What injuries can I seek damages for?

 

Pedestrian injuries may vary widely in scope. Some of the most common include:

 

Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries: The force of an impact can bruise the spinal cord, which can lead to a permanently disabling injury. In less severe cases, trauma can lead to concussions, which require immediate and careful medical attention.

 

Fractures: Since pedestrians are so outmatched by vehicles, it’s common for victims to suffer broken bones and ribs, even at lower speeds. In some cases, fractured ribs can lead to lung punctures and other life-threatening complications.

 

Soft tissue injuries: Often, pedestrian crashes create severe bruising and concussions, which can affect the extremities or the internal organs. Internal bleeding can be life threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

 

Catastrophic injury: Lastly, pedestrian accidents can result in legal catastrophic injuries. We use this term to describe any injury that leads to permanent or long-term hardship. Forms of handicap and total or partial paralysis fall into this category.

 

What damages can I seek?

 

Under California law, victims may seek compensation for the following types of damages:

 

Economic damages: These include the costs of medical care and ongoing rehabilitation and therapy, as well as lost wages and any loss in earning capacity.

 

General damages: These address the immaterial losses of an accident. Examples include pain, suffering, loss in life quality, or mental anguish.

 

Punitive damages: In some cases, like those involving gross negligence, you may be able to collect punitive damages. These exist to punish the defendant for wanton conduct and serve as an example for others. We may seek these damages if it’s determined that you have legal grounds for them.

 

Accidents involving pedestrians often lead to serious injury. As such, the medical treatment and rehabilitation process is often expensive. Victims of these crashes often must miss weeks or months of work – if they can even return to work at all. A personal injury lawsuit can help pedestrians seek compensation for their injuries and lost wages, which helps address the financial ramifications of being in an accident.