Fresno Pedestrian Accident Lawyer | Free Consultation
Fresno Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrian accidents in Fresno are a significant concern for the community. With a growing population and an increasing number of vehicles on the road, the risk of accidents involving pedestrians is higher than ever. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries or fatalities due to the vulnerability of pedestrians when they are hit by a vehicle.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of pedestrian accidents in Fresno. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Fresno ranks as one of the state’s highest counties for pedestrian fatalities. This alarming trend highlights the need for greater awareness and action to prevent pedestrian accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident while on foot, call our accident attorneys at (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400 for a free case evaluation.
California Pedestrian Accident StatisticsBetween 2005 and 2014, over 6,600 pedestrians died in collisions with motorists, which translates to nearly two pedestrians killed each day per 100,000 California residents.
Nationally, the numbers are just as troubling. As you can see, the number of deadly pedestrian collisions is rising. The number of pedestrian-related traffic fatalities skyrocketed by 11 percent in 2016, reaching nearly 6,000 deaths (5,997 pedestrian deaths, to be exact). In 2015, approximately 5,376 pedestrians were killed in accidents, while 4,910 were killed in collisions with motorists in 2014.is
According to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the massive increase in pedestrian accident deaths means 2016 was the deadliest year for pedestrians in twenty years. This report also highlighted that automobile accident deaths increased by six percent nationwide.
Leading Causes of Pedestrian AccidentsWhen Fresno police investigate an accident involving a pedestrian and a motorist, it is common to conclude that the motorist caused the collision. Many drivers are unfamiliar with the proper traffic regulations when approaching a crosswalk and yielding to a pedestrian. Other causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- The driver was speeding.
- The driver was texting and driving or engaging in another activity that caused them to be distracted.
- The driver did not yield to the pedestrian at a marked crosswalk.
- The driver ran a red light.
- The driver failed to stop at a stop sign.
- The driver was intoxicated.
- The driver was drowsy and fell asleep behind the wheel.
If you are physically able, specific actions and information you should collect will improve the viability of a personal injury claim against the negligent driver. Here are recommended steps to take:
- Contact the police and make sure an official accident report is filed.
- Get the full name and cell phone number of the driver that hit you.
- Get the license plate number of the vehicle that hit you.
- Get the full names and phone numbers of witnesses who saw the accident.
- Get medical treatment immediately at a local hospital, emergency room, etc.
- Do not give the other driver’s auto insurance company a recorded statement.
- Contact a Fresno pedestrian accident lawyer to schedule a free case review.
When a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, whether a sedan, motorcycle, or pickup truck, the injuries suffered by the pedestrian can be catastrophic. This is not surprising when you consider that the pedestrian has no absolute protection from the full impact of the collision. This means they bear the full brunt of the impact and suffer serious bodily harm. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones
- Neck injury
- Torn rotator cuff
- Spinal cord injury (e.g., full or partial paralysis)
- Low back injury
- Amputated limb
- Lacerations to your face and body
Injuries suffered by pedestrians can be potentially life-changing. This will likely result in you racking up thousands of dollars in medical bills while not working due to the severity of your bodily injuries. The end result means you can be left struggling and damaged. This includes damage to your finances, damage to your body, and damage to your mental health and well-being.
If you decide to file a pedestrian accident injury claim against the driver who hit you, such a claim allows you to pursue financial restitution for your accrued medical expenses and future medical expenses, along with compensation for your lost wages and future earnings (especially if you are deemed partially or fully disabled as a result of the accident). You can also pursue monetary compensation for your pain and suffering, which encompasses the mental and emotional strain placed on you due to the collision.
If the driver’s conduct was particularly egregious or shocking, it might be possible to ask a court to award you punitive damages. A court may order these to punish the defendant for their deplorable conduct and signal to the community that such behavior carries severe consequences. The amount of punitive damages you could recover can range from three to nine times the amount you are awarded in compensatory damages (i.e., your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages).
For example, let’s say you were hit by a motorist while walking towards Sierra Sky Park in Fresno and filed a claim against the defendant. Your economic and non-economic damages total approximately $200,000 due to multiple surgeries you had to undergo and some permanent harm resulting from the collision. There is clear and convincing evidence that the driver was heavily intoxicated when the wreck occurred. Such evidence could qualify as shocking and/or egregious conduct that would warrant an award of punitive damages. A jury could award you anywhere between $400,000 and $1,000,000 in punitive damages if punitive damages can be pursued. Nevertheless, it is essential to remember that punitive damages are rarely awarded in personal injury lawsuits due to the extremely high evidentiary burden that the plaintiff must meet for a court to even entertain an award of punitive damages.
What Needs to Be Proven in a Pedestrian Accident Injury LawsuitIn a personal injury lawsuit, you must prove your claim and submit sufficient evidence indicating that the other driver was negligent. In the legal world, negligence means that someone took or failed to take action that a reasonable person would have done when confronted with similar circumstances. To establish the driver’s negligence, your Fresno pedestrian accident attorney needs to meet these four elements:
- The driver owed a duty of care to you.
- The driver failed to meet that legal duty through their action or inaction (i.e., breach of the duty of care).
- The driver’s breach proximately caused the collision.
- You suffered harm and losses as a result.
What should I do if I was in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident?
When you file a pedestrian accident claim, the financial restitution you seek is typically paid out by the negligent driver’s automobile insurance. But what do you do if the negligent driver fled the scene of the wreck and left you to fend for yourself? Do not lose hope. In a hit-and-run accident, you may be able to pursue financial recovery through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in your auto insurance policy. As the name suggests, this form of insurance coverage comes into play when you are harmed in an accident, and there is no insurance policy for the negligent party that caused your injuries, or if you were hit by a driver who stayed at the scene but did not have any auto insurance coverage.
Should I accept a settlement or go to trial?
When your claim is submitted to the insurance company, a claims adjuster will be assigned to the claim file, and they will reach out to your attorney to commence settlement negotiations. In most instances, the insurance company will make a low-ball settlement offer, and your attorney can make a counteroffer and go back and forth to see if there is a chance to resolve the claim without filing suit. You are empowered to accept or reject any settlement offer as the client. Your lawyer can offer advice and guidance on the offer, but you have the sole authority to accept or reject it.
Contact Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Fresno, CA
If you or a loved one has been hurt by a careless motorist, please call our experienced Fresno pedestrian accident attorneys at (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
Our law firm takes cases on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs or fees to be paid by you. Our injury lawyers only get paid if we successfully win your case.
See our past verdicts and settlements.
Editor’s Note: updated 6.12.23 Photos by depositphotos.com sb [cs 1489]
