Pedestrian accidents are among the most serious types of traffic incidents, often resulting in severe injuries even when the pedestrian has done nothing wrong. If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, understanding your rights and the common causes of these collisions is crucial.
Your Right to Safety as a Pedestrian
Whether you’re walking on a sidewalk, crossing a street, or moving through a parking lot, you have the right to be safe. Unfortunately, distracted drivers—those using their phones, not paying attention, or simply being careless—can cause devastating accidents that result in serious injuries to pedestrians.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Parking Lot Incidents
Parking lots are surprisingly dangerous areas for pedestrians. Accidents frequently occur when drivers:
- Speed through parking areas and fail to slow down around corners
- Back out of parking spaces without checking for pedestrians
- Fail to yield to people walking through the lot
Intersection Collisions
Intersections pose significant risks to pedestrians. Many accidents happen when drivers:
- Roll through stop signs or red lights without coming to a complete stop
- Make right-hand turns without looking to their right for pedestrians
- Rush through left-hand turns without noticing pedestrians already in the crosswalk
Distracted and Speeding Drivers
Many pedestrian accidents occur simply because drivers aren’t paying attention to the road or are driving too fast. When someone steps out from behind a parked vehicle, a speeding driver may have no chance to stop in time.
This is especially concerning in school zones and residential areas where children are present. Kids can appear suddenly, making it essential for drivers to reduce their speed in these areas.
Insurance Company Tactics
After a pedestrian accident, insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the victim. They may claim the pedestrian “came out of nowhere” or wasn’t in a designated crosswalk when struck.
It’s important to know that in California, unmarked crosswalks have the same legal status as marked crosswalks. This means drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing the street, regardless of whether there’s painted striping.
Types of Injuries
Because pedestrians have no protection against moving vehicles, injuries from these accidents can be devastating and may include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Injuries requiring lifetime medical treatment and care
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
If you’ve been struck by a vehicle, seeking immediate medical attention is critical. You should:
- Call 911 to have emergency responders evaluate you at the scene
- Visit an urgent care facility if you’re able to walk
- Go to the emergency room for immediate evaluation
Getting checked out right away is essential, even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Protecting Your Rights
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to have experienced legal representation to protect your rights and ensure you receive the proper medical treatment you need.
Why Choose The Mason Law Firm for Your Pedestrian Accident Case
At The Mason Law Firm, we have been handling accident cases since 1997. We handle all forms of accident cases, including pedestrian accidents, in Santa Clarita, the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, Ventura County, Orange County, and Kern County.
We understand the challenges you face, such as mounting medical bills, lost income, and pressure from insurance companies, and we fight to get you the maximum compensation possible.
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, Ventura County, Orange County, and Kern County, call The Mason Law Firm today at 661-270-5677, or fill out our contact sheet by clicking here, and let us fight for your rights while you focus on healing.
“We Meet Our Clients by Accident!”
and
“We Put Personal in Personal Injury Law.”