Over the years, our Santa Ana pedestrian accident lawyers have handled more than our fair share of cases. It’s hard to imagine somebody driving over a pedestrian with their car. One would think that, as long as you’re paying attention to the road, this would never happen.
After all, one of the first things they teach you in driving school is to look out for pedestrians. Even if you’re on a road with “Do Not Walk” signs, that doesn’t mean you can speed through without keeping an eye out. Most of us have been pedestrians at some point. We never imagined that someone could drive by going 50 miles per hour and run us over. Unfortunately, this is what happens when people don’t pay attention.
Here, we’ll discuss some of the more common causes of pedestrian accidents. We will explain what your pedestrian accident attorney in Santa Ana needs to do to prove your case. If you still have questions about your own case, feel free to give us a call.
One of our staff can schedule your free, initial consultation over the phone. Or, if you prefer, you can do this yourself through our website. As long as you take the time to sit down with a seasoned Santa Ana pedestrian accident lawyer, you’ll have a chance to protect your rights. And, since the initial consultation is free, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
For the Most Part, the Pedestrian is the Victim in These Accidents
While there are certainly exceptions to this rule, the pedestrian is usually the victim in these cases. It is hard to imagine how a person on foot could be responsible for a motor vehicle accident. Of course, there is always that case where someone is drunk and is walking in the middle of the road. There are also times when someone ignores the “Do Not Walk” sign and walks straight into traffic. However, for the most part, this isn’t what our pedestrian accident attorneys in Santa Ana see.
Our attorneys tend to handle cases where the pedestrian was a true victim. They were hit by someone driving a car or SUV. Every so often, the defendant was driving recklessly. However, many of the drivers who cause these accidents made simple mistakes that any of us could make given the circumstances. We’ll now take a look at some of the more common reasons these accidents take place.
Distracted Driving is One of the Leading Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
One of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents is distracted driving. Most people hear this and assume that we mean the defendant was texting and driving. However, distracted driving involves a lot more than just texting.
People can be distracted by any number of things while they’re behind the wheel. They could be putting on makeup or combing their hair. In some of the cases our Santa Ana pedestrian accident lawyers handle, the defendant was eating lunch or dinner. People don’t realize how dangerous this is. They figure they are busy and hungry. They pick up lunch at a fast-food restaurant.
They’re eating it on the run and don’t realize that this can make it hard for them to pay attention to the road. The next thing they know, they hear a thump and feel something isn’t right. They get out of the car and find a human being lying under their car. If they have any sense of right and wrong, they will call 911 and wait for the cops to arrive at the accident scene.
Unfortunately, not everybody does the right thing. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Santa Ana have seen many cases where the driver takes off, leaving the helpless pedestrian lying hurt in the middle of the road.
Speeding Can Also Cause a Pedestrian Accident
Another common cause of pedestrian accidents is speeding. It doesn’t matter how careful you are. If you’re going above the speed limit, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to stop in time. This is why the city posts speed limit signs. Before the speed limits are set, the regulators do research. They need to know what a safe speed limit is given the zone the location is in. When you’re dealing with pedestrians, you can’t drive over the speed limit.
By the time you realize someone is in front you, it’s too late. You won’t be able to slow down in time. It’s not fair that an innocent victim should suffer or lose their life simply because somebody wants to drive above the speed limit. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Santa Ana represent the victims in these accidents. If the victim didn’t survive their injuries, we end up representing their families.
Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Santa Ana Have Also Represented Clients Who Were Hit by a Drunk Driver
It is sad to admit that people still drink and drive today. This is never acceptable. However, with the popularity of Uber and Lyft, there is absolutely no excuse for this sort of behavior. If you can’t afford to pay for a life home, then you shouldn’t be going out – period.
When our Santa Ana pedestrian accident lawyers first meet with a new client, we get to hear their story. They tell us their version of events. Sadly, many of them can’t remember a lot of what happened. The impact when they were hit by the car or SUV is tremendous.
We usually have to hire an accident reconstructionist to help determine exactly what happened. The good news is that the defendant will be hard-pressed to convince a judge or jury that you caused the accident. In our experience, the pedestrian in these accidents is at fault maybe 2-3% of the time.
Our Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Still Have to Prove Fault
If you or your loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you should contact our office. Nobody deserves to be hit by a passing car. It shouldn’t matter whether the victim was in a crosswalk or not, they don’t deserve to be hit by a car or SUV.
We suggest you contact our office so we can schedule your free, initial consultation. This way, you know you have someone by your side who has your best interest at heart. Sit down with one of our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys in Santa Ana and find out if your case is worth pursuing.
