Walking is one of life’s little pleasures in Rancho Murieta. However, as more and more people walk for pleasure, to go to work, and run errands, they also have to contend with increased traffic in the area. During the first six months of 2019, 519 pedestrians died in traffic crashes in California, an increase of 12 percent.

If you or a loved one is injured by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to claim fair compensation for your injuries. At Autoaccident.com, we’ve assisted many pedestrians since 1982 in obtaining the compensation they deserve. Call us at (916) 921-6400 for a free case evaluation and see what options are open to you.

The California Vehicle Code is specific on how a motorist must act when pedestrians are present. These behaviors include:

• A motorist must yield a pedestrian the right-of-way when in any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
• No motorist should pass a vehicle if it is stopped at a crosswalk.
• Don’t stop your vehicle inside the crosswalk. Forcing pedestrians to walk around places them in danger.
• If you are exiting or entering an alley or driveway, yield to pedestrians on a sidewalk.
• If a motorist becomes involved in an accident to avoid a jaywalking pedestrian, the person on foot is at fault.

There are several ways that a pedestrian can be injured, even at a crosswalk. Government negligence that makes a crosswalk dangerous can include inadequate or non-functioning crossing lights, poor lighting, overgrown shrubs, and other problems. The government entity in charge may be liable when a lack of proper maintenance results in a pedestrian injury accident.

Enlisting the help of a lawyer is a good idea since the timeline for filing is much shorter than in other personal injury cases. By getting help, the injured party knows the claim will be handled correctly and filed within the statute of limitations. Otherwise, the lawsuit will not be heard in court.

Because a pedestrian accident often involves serious injuries, it can result in extremely high medical bills, time away from work, and the pain and suffering experienced by the injured party. By placing a compensation claim, the following can be recovered:

• All medical expenses associated with the accident can be recouped from the cost of the ambulance to hospitalization, prescription medicines, tests, surgeries, and recuperation. If the injury continues into the future, your lawyer can factor those costs into the settlement.
• After returning home, if the injured party requires modifications or medical equipment such as a walker, those costs can be recovered.
• Out-of-pocket expenses are recoverable, such as visits to and from the doctor.
• Lost wages can be recovered, including any bonuses and other monetary value.
• The wage difference is recoverable if the injured party cannot return to their old job and has to take a demotion.
• Scars and disfigurement caused by the accident can be given a recoverable monetary value. This also includes the cost of restorative surgery if necessary.
• Loss of enjoyment of life is recoverable. For example, if the injured party enjoyed skiing or other outdoor activities, they can no longer perform, that is factored in.
• Loss of consortium between spouses is recoverable.
• Damages for post-traumatic stress disorder are recoverable if the injured party is under professional treatment for this condition.

There are several things a pedestrian can do to stay safer when walking. Some tips that might help include:

• Whenever possible, always use a dedicated crosswalk that has signals. Even if you have to walk a block to reach one, the incidence of injury accidents at dedicated crosswalks is less than those unmarked.
• Drivers don’t always spot a pedestrian getting ready to cross the street. Sometimes, a drunk driver can’t be trusted to stop for you in time. Even though the right of way may be yours, wait until traffic has stopped before crossing.
• Watch for a vehicle trying to pull around another stopped at the crosswalk. This can be a danger signal.
• Wear brightly colored clothing during the day to make yourself more visible.
• After dark, wear light clothing and use reflective tape to make yourself visible. Carrying a flashlight and sticking to well-lit areas helps too.
• Don’t go walking when you’ve been drinking.
• Avoid distractions such as listening to music. If you’re tuned in to your favorite song at the time, you may not hear or see an approaching car.

The video below provides some safety tips to help pedestrians stay safe.

When Rancho Murieta drivers sign up for auto insurance, they are offered an optional policy covering uninsured/underinsured motorists. Many Californians take this optional policy because California has a surprising number of motorists who either have no insurance or are underinsured. The policy covers the holder whether they are injured in a motor vehicle or are on foot, on a motorcycle, or on a bicycle.

An injured pedestrian can use their uninsured/underinsured policy to pay for their medical expenses. If they don’t carry this add-on insurance and another household member has it, that can be used instead. It doesn’t affect the price of the premiums.

Related Articles by Rancho Murieta pedestrian accident lawyer Ed Smith:

• Using Fitbit Data as Accident Evidence
• Older Pedestrians and Accident Injuries
• Speed and Pedestrian Accident Injuries

When you’ve suffered an injury from a negligent motorist, please call our injury lawyers for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. See our past cases of Settlements and Verdicts.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.4.23] Image by Brian Merrill from Pixabay cd cha [cs 966]}