With a population of just under 12,000, Winton offers residents a suburban-rural mix feel. Winton is small enough that residents and visitors can walk around town while they shop, work, relax or gather to celebrate special occasions.

While walking is a positive and healthy alternative to driving, it is becoming more dangerous. Many pedestrians in Winton are severely injured or killed by motor vehicles yearly. Just recently, a man in his 40s was tragically killed in a pedestrian accident between Cypress and Winton Way on Almond Avenue.

If you or a family member has suffered severe injuries in a pedestrian accident in Winton or elsewhere in Modesto County, you must take a stance to fully protect your legal rights. Call our experienced injury lawyers today at (209) 227-1931 for a free case evaluation.

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), California has one of the highest pedestrian accident rates in the United States. An estimated 485 pedestrians were killed between January 2020 and June 2020.

Pedestrian fatalities increased by 46.5% from 2010 to 2019. Pedestrian accidents now account for a more significant proportion of traffic deaths than in the last 33 years.

The most common pedestrian accidents are caused by inattentive drivers texting, talking on the cell phone, eating, drinking, or tuning the radio. Other frequent causes of pedestrian accidents are due to motorists:

• Disregarding traffic or weather conditions
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Exiting and entering parking lots without checking their surroundings
• Failing to obey traffic lights and signage
• Failing to signal while turning
• Failing to yield to pedestrians making their way through crosswalks
• Making illegal U-turns
• Reckless driving
• Reversing without checking their surroundings
• Speeding

If you have been hit by a vehicle, there are specific steps you need to take, if possible. These include:

• Call the police at the accident scene, and don’t leave without a police report.
• Get the motorist’s driver’s license, insurance, and registration information.
• Take photos of your injuries, the driver’s vehicle, and other evidence at the accident scene.
• Get witness statements and collect their contact information for any follow-up questions.
• Go to the hospital for medical care immediately, even if you think your injuries are minor. There could be internal bleeding or damages that may not appear immediately but can cause serious issues later.

Recovering compensation in a pedestrian accident case is similar to what is awarded in other types of injury cases, including:

• Lost wages
• Counseling
• Loss of consortium
• Medical and hospital bills
• Loss of earning capacity
• Loss of limb
• Pain and suffering
• Occupation and physical therapy
• Scarring and disfigurement

A pedestrian being hit by a vehicle is a personal injury claim. Like all other injury claims, if the driver is found at fault, they will be liable for medical bills and other damages. However, getting the hit-and-run driver’s information will be essential to hold that person accountable, and it would be challenging to track them down. But just because the vehicle does not stop after the accident does not mean you can’t be compensated for your losses.

In a hit-and-run accident, you may be able to file an injury claim through your own insurance company if you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This type of coverage is proper when you are hurt in an accident, and the at-fault party does not have insurance. You must contact an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss your case.

California pedestrian traffic laws can be complicated. An experienced Winton pedestrian accident lawyer understands your challenges in this type of accident. That is why we encourage you to consult with a skilled lawyer who has dealt with many injury accident cases.

We understand that no two accidents are the same, and a pedestrian and vehicle collision involves many factors and requires close analysis. Our pedestrian accident attorney team will investigate the circumstances of your case, including engaging expert witnesses that can support your claim and testify at trial if need be.

You should never agree to make a statement to or talk to the other party’s insurance company until you consult with legal counsel first. In most cases, insurers will make a low-ball settlement offer immediately. Your lawyer will fight on your behalf and ensure the insurance carrier pays you the maximum compensation you need and deserve.

The YouTube video below explains why you may not be able to trust the insurance company to give you a fair settlement in your injury case.

The first step in protecting your legal rights after a pedestrian accident is to call AutoAccident.com at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice. Our Winton pedestrian accident lawyers will put you in the best possible position to get the most favorable compensation.

We can schedule an appointment at our office or another location that is more convenient for you. There is never a charge for an initial consultation with our injury lawyers.

Our firm uses a contingency fee agreement, which means we never charge an attorney fee unless we win your case.

See our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated 5.25.23 Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash cha [cs 928]}