Serious Pedestrian Injuries And Damages
Types of injuries people may suffer in pedestrian accidents can vary depending on multiple factors, but the truth is that injuries are often quite severe for most victims. Any person involved in a pedestrian accident must seek medical attention immediately after an accident, even when they do not think they suffered an injury.
Our Turlock pedestrian accident lawyers regularly work with people who have suffered:
- Fractures or broken bones
- Concussions
- Closed head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crush injuries
- Back injuries
- Knee injuries
- Leg injuries
- Neck injuries
- Arm injuries
- Internal injuries
- Skull fractures
- Permanent nerve injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Severe burn injuries
- Wrongful death
After a pedestrian accident, people have the right to seek multiple kinds of compensatory damages. Special or economic damages typically involve tangible costs that can be calculated and proven.
Common kinds of economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
General damages or non-economic damages are far more subjective and difficult to quantify.
They may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Wrongful death damages apply in cases involving a person’s death. Certain categories of family members or other parties with legal interests in a decedent’s property can recover wrongful death damages.
Punitive damages are rare in personal injury cases. Still, they might receive more as a way of punishing people for misconduct that demonstrates a wanton disregard for human life or extreme cruelty. A punitive damage award may be appropriate in a pedestrian accident involving a hit-and-run offense.
Regardless of the categories of damages available to you in your case, you should always keep in mind that the other side does not want to pay you what your claim is actually worth. In fact, they may even tell you that you are not entitled to certain types of damages when you legally are or simply deny your claim. For this reason, you must retain a Turlock pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.
Common Causes Of Pedestrian Injuries
No two pedestrian accidents will ever be the same, so each crash will involve its unique set of factors – including the cause. It is not always easy to determine the cause of a pedestrian accident, but most cases involve some form of driver negligence.
Common causes of pedestrian accidents include drivers failing to yield the right of way. Two of the most common failure-to-yield violations involve vehicles entering areas with stop signs or intersections where they are required to yield and failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks.
People driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol is another common cause of pedestrian accidents. This is also one common reason that explains hit-and-run decisions in these cases. Drivers who flee the scene do not want to be arrested for DUI and may become more willing to turn themselves in while they are sober.
Left-hand turns can be another common cause of pedestrian accidents because many drivers performing these turns are more focused on the traffic they are dealing with, so pedestrians often go overlooked. It is necessary to note that distracted driving in general, especially people trying to use cell phones while driving, is another common cause of pedestrian accidents.
Unmarked crosswalks can be another common factor in pedestrian accidents because drivers may not be watching for pedestrians in areas without clearly marked crosswalks. Speeding is a common traffic offense committed by many drivers all over California, but speeding can also play a significant role in many pedestrian accidents.
Defective traffic lights can also factor into some pedestrian accidents. Inclement weather can also play a significant role in many pedestrian accidents.
Many people will try to pin the blame on pedestrians in these cases, possibly stating they were distracted or wearing dark clothing at night that made them difficult to see. Make sure you have a lawyer who can defend your rights.
What To Do After Your Pedestrian Accident
The first thing you should do after a pedestrian accident is seek medical care. All people should receive medical attention, even when they do not believe they suffered serious injuries. Many injuries can involve delayed symptoms, and treating all injuries appropriately as soon as possible after an accident can ensure the best possible recovery.
When you see a doctor, it will also create an official medical record that you can use as evidence when it comes time to make a claim. Remember, insurance companies are in the business of making money, and they do so by paying out as little as possible on every claim they receive. Without a medical record supporting your claim, they can argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim they are.
In fact, do not communicate with any insurance company that contacts you regarding your accident. The things you say after your accident can significantly reduce how much compensation you can recover—or whether you can recover compensation at all. If an insurance company contacts you, you should inform them that you are retaining a lawyer and that your attorney will be in touch.
Additionally, you should never sign any paperwork or accept any money from the at-fault party before talking to a lawyer. Doing so can jeopardize your chances of getting the compensation you deserve under California law.
Finally, you should contact an attorney as soon as you can after you suffer injuries in a pedestrian accident. Once a lawyer represents you, your attorney will evaluate your case and determine whether you are entitled to compensation. In addition, your attorney will advise you as to what steps you can take to maximize the chances of getting the compensation you deserve. Finally, your lawyer will handle all communications with the insurance company for you, allowing you to focus on your personal and physical recovery.
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