When a motorist hits a pedestrian, the pedestrian is usually left physically, financially, and emotionally damaged. This is because pedestrians have virtually no protection when hit by a car, truck, SUV, or other vehicles. This means even low-speed accidents can result in debilitating bodily injuries for the pedestrian.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian crash due to a careless driver, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com to learn about your legal options.

Some common types of bodily injuries suffered by pedestrians include:

• Traumatic brain injury or head wound
• Broken bones
• Complete or partial paralysis due to spinal cord trauma
• Back injuries
• Neck and shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries

A 62-year-old pedestrian was hit and killed by a passing car on Marysville Boulevard. The tragic collision reportedly occurred at the Marysville Boulevard and Roanoke Avenue intersection near the Del Paso Heights neighborhood. The pedestrian reportedly walking in a marked crosswalk on Marysville Boulevard when he was hit by a northbound sedan.

California is one of the deadliest states for pedestrians. For example, approximately 23 percent of all motor vehicle deaths involved a collision with a pedestrian. This has resulted in California ranking at the top of the most dangerous states for pedestrians.

The issue of pedestrian accidents is not confined to California. In fact, more than 4,700 pedestrians were killed in collisions with motorists in 2013, and more than 70,000 pedestrians were injured in these accidents.

When a pedestrian is struck by a motorist, it is commonly due to the motorist’s negligent action or inaction. For example, common causes of collisions between motorists and pedestrians include:

• The motorist was speeding
• The motorist was intoxicated
• The motorist was drowsy/dangerously fatigued
• The motorist was texting and driving
• The motorist was talking on their cell phone
• The motorist violated traffic regulations and did not yield the right of way or failed to stop at a stop sign or red light.

In California, when a pedestrian is crossing the street, they usually have the right of way to complete crossing the road when a motorist is approaching. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states that drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

In addition, a motorist must exercise due care when approaching the pedestrian. This means the motorist must slow down, keep their eyes on the road, and take other actions to try and prevent a collision.

The video below by AAA explains how drivers and pedestrians can work together to make the roadways safer.

When a motorist breaches their legal obligation to exercise due care and hits a pedestrian, the injured pedestrian can hold the motorist accountable for a pedestrian injury lawsuit. When a breach of a duty of care has occurred, and someone is injured as a proximate result of that breach, the negligent party can be held liable. If liability is established, the injured party can obtain monetary compensation from the negligent party to make them whole.

If you or a family member decides to hire a personal injury lawyer in Del Paso Heights and file a claim against the negligent motorist, you can seek compensation for the following economic and non-economic damages:

• Your incurred and future medical bills (e.g., ER care, ambulance, surgeries, medications, etc.)
• Lost wages due to time missed from work
• Future wages (if you are left disabled after the wreck)
• Pain, suffering, and other non-itemizable harms
• Punitive damages (in specific cases)

According to California laws, you have two years to file a civil lawsuit against the motorist from the accident date. If you fail to file suit within two years, a California court will likely dismiss your case.

If you or a loved one suffered a severe injury while attempting to cross the street in and around Del Paso Heights, you may find that contacting an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer will prove vital to your case’s successful resolution.

The results are often catastrophic when a pedestrian is hurt in a motor vehicle collision. Do not hesitate to contact our injury lawyers immediately at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. We have been serving Del Paso Heights and the Northern California community since 1982, assisting injured people and their families after accidents. See our past verdicts and settlements.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 9.5.23] Photo by Sander Dalhuisen from Pexels sb rey mb [cs 821 bw]}