Many pedestrian accidents involve an automobile colliding with a pedestrian at a crosswalk or sidewalk. If you are a pedestrian who enjoys walking, running, or jogging regularly, you know many hazards are dangerous for pedestrians. One of the most dangerous scenarios is when someone attempts to cross the street at a busy intersection. Even pedestrians using a designated crosswalk are exposed to a potentially life-altering injury by a negligent driver.

Pedestrians have the right of way at an intersection with a marked or unmarked crosswalk. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21950, a driver must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian when walking across the street within an area or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. A motorist approaching someone near any marked or unmarked crosswalk must exercise “all due care” and reduce their speed appropriately or take other actions necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.

In addition to the right-of-way rule stipulated above, drivers owe a heightened duty of care when traveling in areas where children are around. For example, drivers must be cautious and vigilant when traveling by a school, a park, or a residential area.

When a human body is hit by a motor vehicle weighing more than 5,000 pounds, the pedestrian usually suffers the most injuries. This is to be expected since our bodies cannot withstand the impact of an oncoming car. Pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, including:

• Fractured Bones
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injury or nerve damage
• Paralysis
• Facial lacerations and eye damage

Watch the following video for tips on staying safe while walking.

If you or a loved one was hit by a car and suffered a debilitating, life-altering injury, you can pursue financial restitution for your harm and losses. The types of harm and losses generally recoverable through a personal injury claim include:

• Medical expenses include current medical bills (e.g., trips to the emergency room, prescription drugs, trips to your primary care physician) and reasonably foreseeable future medical expenses.
• Lost income due to time missed from work and diminished earning capacity: generally, any wages lost while you were hospitalized or recovering from the collision are recoverable. Furthermore, if the accident caused a severe injury resulting in temporary or permanent disability, you could pursue lost wages.
• Pain and suffering include compensation for mental anguish, stress, anxiety, and inconvenience.