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Pedestrian accidents can cause devastating accidents. Many people in California lose their lives when motor vehicles strike people who are on foot. California saw a 10% increase in pedestrian traffic deaths over 3 years.
Learn what to do if you’ve been injured in one of these collisions. A Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney could help you seek compensation for your losses if you got hurt in a pedestrian accident.
Pedestrian Accidents by the Numbers
California leads the nation in pedestrian traffic fatalities, and not just because we have the highest population. Our pedestrian fatality rate of 1.29 deaths per 100,000 people is substantially higher than the national average of 1.04 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 population.
From 2019 to 2022, our state’s pedestrian collision numbers went up nearly 10% to 504 pedestrian deaths in 2022. Pedestrian fatalities increased by 70% from 2010 to 2022, so this problem appears to be a long-term trend. It is becoming more dangerous every year to be a pedestrian in California.
Who Is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?
Usually, the driver of a motor vehicle that hits a pedestrian is responsible for the collision, but not always. When a walker suddenly steps out in front of a moving vehicle that cannot safely stop in time to avoid striking the individual, the pedestrian could be at fault for causing or contributing to the accident.
The driver’s insurance company will likely defend against your injury claim aggressively by blaming you for the accident, regardless of the circumstances, to try to reduce the amount of money that they have to pay you. You will want to have a lawyer on your side advocating for you.
Types of Monetary Damages for Pedestrian Accidents
The party who causes a pedestrian accident through negligence can be liable for the losses of the injured person, which can include the following:
- Lost wages that the pedestrian missed when recuperating from their wounds.
- Future lost wages if severe injuries create long-term impairments that decrease the injured person’s ability to earn a living.
- Medical expenses for the treatment of the plaintiff’s wounds. These bills can include things like the ambulance, emergency room, surgeries, diagnostic procedures, doctors, hospitals, physical therapy, and prescription drugs.
- Long-term care. Pedestrian crashes can cause catastrophic injuries that can rob a person of the ability to live independently. A person might need daily assistance with medical treatments and personal care after one of these accidents.
- Pain and suffering. The physical discomfort and emotional distress of getting hit by a motor vehicle when on foot are a separate category of damages, in addition to getting one’s medical bills paid.
- Other intangible losses. This category can include things like disfigurement from amputations and extensive scars, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and loss of enjoyment of life when the injured person can no longer perform activities that they used to enjoy before the accident.
If your close relative died because of a pedestrian accident, the family might be able to seek additional compensation through a wrongful death claim.
A Los Angeles personal injury attorney could help you hold the at-fault party accountable for your losses after a pedestrian accident. We do not charge for the initial consultation, and you will not have to pay any upfront legal fees to get our help on your case. We will work tirelessly to go after all the compensation that you deserve. Contact us today for help with your case.
