Walking is fantastic exercise, and it is beneficial to physical and mental health. The mild Northern California climate is conducive to a year-round walking routine. Yuba City has several great walking and hiking trails, such as those within the Feather River Parkway and the Bobelaine Audobon Sanctuary.

If you have been hurt in a pedestrian accident in Yuba City, call our law firm at (530) 392-9400 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Unfortunately, California has many pedestrian accident deaths yearly, and Yuba City is not immune to such tragic incidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 893 pedestrians were killed in California in 2018. Across the country, the number of pedestrian deaths rose drastically the following year. In Yuba City in November 2020, a 69-year-old was walking in the early evening near Lincoln Road and Gilliland Drive when he was struck by a motorist and was killed.

Trail walking is a safe alternative to walking city streets, but it is not always practical. Often, we have to walk near traffic, which places us at a higher risk for pedestrian versus vehicle accidents. If you have been injured while walking near traffic, please do not wait to protect your legal rights. Promptly contact an experienced Yuba City pedestrian accident lawyer.

Below is an ABC10 news story featuring a Yuba City mom who created a sports scholarship program to honor her teen son, Alec, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver while walking to school in October 2019.

One of the most hazardous pedestrian scenarios is crossing the street at a busy intersection. Even if the intersection has a designated crosswalk, there is still a significant risk to those crossing the street on foot. Drivers are often not on the lookout for people waiting to cross and will begin their turn just as the pedestrian has entered the intersection. Worse yet are accidents that occur when a motorist runs a red light or stop sign while a person is walking across the street. Such incidents are often fatal. If the pedestrian survives, they usually suffer life-altering injuries.

Whether an intersection has a marked crosswalk, pedestrians have the right of way. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states that drivers must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian walking across the street at an intersection and approaching pedestrians within marked or unmarked crosswalks with “all due care.” Vehicle speed must be appropriately reduced, and all other reasonable actions to protect the safety of the pedestrian must be taken.

Motorists also have an increased duty of care when driving in areas where children are present or expected. This includes school zones, parks, and residential areas.

A pedestrian is at an obvious and extreme disadvantage when struck by a passenger vehicle. The vehicle’s weight, coupled with its traveling velocity, often results in fatal injuries. When the pedestrian survives, the injuries are frequently of a catastrophic nature. Common damages caused by blunt force trauma include:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussion and post-concussion syndrome
• Nerve damage
• Spinal cord injuries, including partial or complete paralysis
• Lacerations
• Deep abrasions, also known as road rash
• Limb amputations
• Internal injuries

If you suffered injuries in a pedestrian versus car accident, you have the legal right to file a claim against the driver’s insurance for the economic and non-economic damages that resulted from the accident. The categories of damages often sought in a personal injury matter include:

• You have already incurred medical bills related to the accident and future expenses that your physician advises that you will require.
• Lost income includes the time you have missed from your job due to the accident. If you were disabled by the accident, this category would also include future loss of income and/or earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering is a non-economic category of damages that includes compensation for physical pain, mental suffering, anxiety, stress, and inconvenience.
• Loss of consortium – these damages are available to your spouse, if applicable, as compensation for the negative effect of the accident and your injuries on the marital relationship.

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in California is two years. That means that your claim must be settled or a lawsuit on file with the proper court before the second anniversary of the accident that caused your injuries. If that deadline is missed, you will lose your right to receive financial compensation. While the two-year limit applies to most personal injury cases filed in our state, there are circumstances under which the timeline is much shorter. For example, if you were hit by a government vehicle, you only have six months to act to preserve your claim. While that may seem like plenty of time, considering all that happens following a severe accident, it can go by very quickly. Having a skilled pedestrian accident attorney protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery can relieve stress during your recovery process.

Getting hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian can change your life. The accident can cause permanent and disabling injuries, affecting your ability to make a living and care for your family. Other severe injuries can take months or years to recover from. The negligent driver who caused your injuries is financially responsible for your damages. An experienced personal injury lawyer can explain your options and help determine the amount of money available to compensate you for your losses.

The compassionate injury lawyers at our firm can help if you are involved in a pedestrian accident. For free and friendly advice, call our Yuba City pedestrian accident lawyers at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. You always want to do your due diligence before you choose an attorney. Often, it is helpful to hear what past clients say about a firm’s services. You may also read some of our prior case results on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 10.18.23] Image by LEEROY Agency from Pixabay mm [cs 1056] cha}