Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Sherman Oaks

With year-round great weather, many people in Los Angeles spend time walking to enjoy the outdoors, or to exercise, or, less frequently, to walk to work. An ever-present danger to pedestrians is the risk of being hit by an inattentive driver. Injuries and trauma experienced when a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle can often be devastating. If you or a loved one has been hit by a motorist, it is in your best interest to retain the services of an experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer to make sure you receive fair compensation. Contact The Drexler Law Firm in Sherman Oaks to maximize your recovery and get the fair compensation you deserve.

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

There are several important steps to take if you are a pedestrian who is hit by a motor vehicle.

• Call the Police – You should call the police and request that they respond to the scene. If asked to give a statement by the police, be truthful but never admit fault.
• Seek Medical Attention – Go to the E.R. or Urgent Care. Even if you have only suffered minor injuries, you should get checked out by a medical professional. Injuries may initially not seem bad and may not be noticeable for days. Experienced personal injury attorneys can arrange for treatment on a lien basis.

• Gather Evidence – This includes taking photos of the accident scene. You should write down the contact information of all witnesses.
• Do not give a statement or discuss the accident with the other driver’s insurance company. You are required to give a statement to your own insurance representatives and cooperate with their investigation. 

Learn more about what to do after an accident in Los Angeles.

Should You Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

You might not think you need to hire an attorney if you have been in a pedestrian accident, but there are many reasons why you should consult with an experienced lawyer.

To receive adequate compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, your interests are best served by hiring an experienced auto accident attorney in Los Angeles, The Drexler Law Firm. You need an attorney with expertise in successfully representing injured victims in pedestrian accidents. A skilled attorney, with a proven track record of obtaining large settlements and jury trial verdicts, knows how to deal with the insurance adjusters, defense attorneys, and the legal system. Your health and financial future are too important not to seek out specialized legal representation to maximize the compensation you deserve. You should retain the qualified pedestrian accident attorneys at The Drexler Law Firm.

An insurance company may pressure you to accept a settlement that is worth much less than you need or deserve. An experienced lawyer knows how to negotiate with insurance companies and fight for your rights.

Proving liability in many cases can be difficult. You need a skilled attorney who knows the procedure for investigating a case and can call experts in to testify on your behalf if necessary.

There is a time limit bringing claims and lawsuits. If you miss the due date, you will be precluded from receiving any compensation. An experienced lawyer will know exactly what needs to be filed and the filing deadlines.

What are Pedestrian Laws and Rights in California?

There are several statutory and common law rights and protections for pedestrians. The California Vehicle Code 21950 states, “drivers shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.” This means that when a pedestrian crosses a street, that person has the right-of-way. The Vehicle Code also states that “No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.” 

California Vehicle Code 21594 provides that a pedestrian crossing anywhere except where there is a marked crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles. Other parts of Code 21954 also states that a driver is still responsible to exhibit due care regarding the safety of pedestrians on the road. While pedestrians and drivers share certain responsibilities when it comes to safety for those walking on roadways, it is often necessary to retain accident reconstruction experts to prove the fault of the driver. If you are injured in a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles, you may find it difficult to prove who was at fault and receive fair compensation for the accident without the assistance of a skilled attorney.

What are the Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

There are innumerable reasons why pedestrians are injured by drivers. Here are a few:

• Distracted Driving – This includes texting, talking on the phone or being engaged in conversation with a passenger.
• Drowsy Driving – Sleep-deprived drivers have slower reaction times and are more easily distracted.
• Driving Under the Influence – Drivers under the influence of alcohol, illegal or prescription drugs are more likely to be inattentive and cause accidents.
• Car Problems – This includes everything from faulty brakes, worn-out windshield wipers or mechanical defects that cause drivers to accidentally hit pedestrians.

Inclimate weather – Rain, fog or dimly lit intersections can all contribute to causing pedestrian accidents.

What are Common Injuries Suffered by Pedestrians who are Struck by Vehicles?

Getting hit by a moving vehicle often results in serious injuries for pedestrians. Common injuries suffered include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TB) or concussion may result in headaches, memory loss or cognitive dysfunction;
• Scaring, bruising, contusions, nerve damage; need for plastic surgery;
• Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) and/or emotional distress;
• Internal organ damage, hematomas
• Fractured bones, joint malalignment, muscles tears and strains

Pedestrian Accident Statistics at a Glance

Pedestrian incidents are rising in the state of California. Approximately 7,500 pedestrians were killed in California from 2009 to 2018. California has more pedestrian deaths than any other state. Between 2008 and 2017 pedestrian deaths increased by over 35 percent. In 2018, over 14,000 pedestrians in California were injured in some type of accident. In the same year, 893 pedestrians were killed on roads in California.

Who is Responsible for Pedestrian Accidents?

California is a comparative fault jurisdiction. This is a way of assessing damages based on the percentage of fault. This means that each party in an accident is only responsible for his or her degree of negligence. For example, if a pedestrian is jaywalking and is hit by a car, that person might still receive compensation if the driver is inattentive or could have avoided the accident. If the jaywalker is found to be 30 percent at fault and the inattentive driver 70 percent at fault, the pedestrian would be able to receive a settlement or verdict worth 70 percent of all of the injured pedestrian’s damages and losses.

How Much Compensation Can an Injured Pedestrian Receive?

If you have been struck by a motorist while walking, you may be entitled to receive compensation. There are several types of compensation and damages.

1. Medical Bills – You can recover damages for ambulance costs and hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescriptions. Damage awards may also include anticipated future medical care and ongoing therapy.
2. Disability Compensation – Injured pedestrians can receive disability compensation for earnings losses and the inability to work in the future. 
3. Pain and Suffering – Pain and suffering are non-economic damages that provide recovery for all of the intangible items which diminish an individual’s quality of life. Psychological trauma, uncertainty over one’s future, loss of the ability to perform functions and exercise…these are all recoverable elements of pain and suffering damages.
4. Loss of Consortium and Companion Care- The spouse of an injured victim can recover damages for the loss of relations and the loss of support. Also, if a caregiver or custodial care is needed to provide supportive care for an injured individual, the cost of such care is a recoverable item of damage.

Learn more about the types of compensation you can recover after an accident and how much you can expect.

Why Should You Choose The Drexler Law Firm?

The Drexler Law Firm has successfully fought for and won fair compensation for over 2000 clients. We have extensive experience representing personal injury victims and a proven track record of obtaining large settlements and jury trial verdicts on behalf of injured persons. We are a family business committed to fighting for families and individual rights. When you are searching for the best Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers, you should call us at The Drexler Law Firm.

Serving Sherman Oaks, San Fernando Valley, Greater Los Angeles and Southern California

The Drexler Law Firm is located at 13808 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oak, California 90024, near Interstate 405 and U.S.101. We are conveniently located between Mammoth Avenue and Matilija Avenue, on Ventura Blvd., with free parking behind our building. We are committed to offering the best personal injury legal services in Sherman Oaks, the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. 

Get Started

The easiest and most important step to assure that you get the fair compensation you need and deserve is to call The Drexler Law Firm and schedule a free consultation with a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer in Los Angeles. We can answer your questions and start processing your claim. At The Drexler Law Firm we will take the time to evaluate the facts of your case and walk you through the legal process. It is important to get started quickly because the insurance company is not waiting around. They are busy gathering physical evidence and talking to witnesses to defeat or minimize your claim.