If you have been injured or lost someone you loved in a pedestrian accident, you could be eligible to file a lawsuit. It’s important to call an experienced Victorville pedestrian accident lawyer such as the Crockett Law Group. We’ve had years of experience in representing our clients in court for pedestrian accidents. Give us a call at (800) 900-9393 so that we can schedule your free consultation regarding your pedestrian accident. The sooner you call, the sooner we can set up your free consultation regarding your case, and the sooner you can receive compensation for your injuries. Navigating the court system can be intimidating, let us help you get the compensation you deserve as you work toward your recovery. Get in touch with a Victorville car accident lawyer at the Crockett Law Group today by calling (800) 900-9393.
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Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
There are many causes of pedestrian accidents. If you were to ask 10 different people this question, you’d likely get 10 completely different answers. Here are some of the more common causes of pedestrian accidents.Failure to Yield Right of Way
Failure to stop for crosswalks, failure to stop at stop signs, etc. are common causes of pedestrian accidents. Keep in mind these accidents often include such contributing factors as alcohol or drug abuse, speed, failure to look before turning, and distracted driving.Speeding
There are many situations that involve speeding, from school zones to constructions zones, pay attention to the speed limits. Speed limits are designed to save lives. There are times that speed limits are reduced such as poor visibility, construction sites, and other situations where it’s important that drivers pay attention to the reduced speed limits.Driving Under the Influence
Drugs, alcohol, and even some pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter drugs can all cause you to get a DUI. If you’ve been drinking, doing drugs, or even taking over-the-counter or pharmaceutical medications that are prescribed to you, make sure that you’re safe to drive before you get behind the wheel.Poor Visibility
Lack of street lights, dusk or dawn, weather conditions, and other situations that result in poor lighting can contribute to a pedestrian accident. Unmarked crosswalks and a lack of sidewalks also put pedestrians at greater risk.Distracted Driving
Pets, phones, children, and more can all cause a person to be inattentive and distracted while driving. Make sure that you’re not distracted while driving to help reduce accidents.What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
If you or someone you know is involved in a pedestrian accident, there are some important steps to take before you do anything else. These steps include the following:Seek Medical Assistance and Call Police
Call for an ambulance or medical help as soon as possible. If at all possible, move out of the way to avoid further injury or have someone redirect traffic. If it’s not safe to move due to your injuries, stay as still as possible and wait for medical assistance. The police in Victorville can help in redirecting traffic as well as help to determine who is at fault and help to get medical assistance to the location if there is a traffic issue.Document Your Injuries and Get the Driver’s Info
Take pictures or videos of your injuries and the scene of the accident. Get as many angles as possible in the pictures. Get the driver’s license number, name, contact information, and insurance information. If the accident is a hit-and-run, note down as many details as you can to help police locate the driver.Avoid Discussing Fault at the Scene
Avoid discussing who is at fault at the scene or with the insurance company. This is something for the courts to determine. There may be mitigating circumstances and even if you think you’re at fault, you may not be at fault.Get Insurance Information From the Driver
Get the insurance information from the driver of the vehicle that hit you or your loved one. Make sure to get the policy information and claims information so that you can file a claim. Be sure to get the personal information from the driver as well such as their driver’s license number and any contact information.Get Witness Information
Get the name and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. This information will help to determine the cause of the accident and who was at fault. Remember, it’s not up to you to determine who is at fault. Don’t admit guilt or start pointing fingers and screaming, this can be counterproductive to the incident. Anything that you say can and may be used against you so be careful what you say.Contact Your Insurance Company and a Lawyer
Contact your insurance company and let them know that you were in an accident. The Crockett Law Group has years of experience dealing with pedestrian accidents. Call us at (800) 900-9393 and schedule your free consultation.How Do You Determine Liability or Fault in a Pedestrian Accident in California?
Many factors work toward determining liability in a pedestrian accident in California. The main ones are as follows:- Duty of Care: It is the duty of care for drivers to follow the speed limits and exercise caution while driving a motor vehicle.
- Breach of Duty: If a driver fails to exercise a duty of care, they have breached the duty of care and failed to exercise proper caution while driving.
- Causation: The pedestrian accident is the direct result of the failure of duty of care.
- Damages: These are the damages to the person after they’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident. Each state has slightly different laws for the damages.