With its Mediterranean climate and picturesque landscape, Napa is a pedestrian paradise. More people are walking than ever for exercise, running errands, or going to work. In Napa, tourists and residents walk from outdoor markets to the shops lining the downtown area. As the county seat, the city was busy, with a population of 80,011 in 2010. As more community members and visitors enjoy walking in the area, it stands to reason that more accidents will occur.

Pedestrian accidents can be devastating and cause many serious injuries. If you or a loved one is injured, you need the insight of an experienced Napa pedestrian accident lawyer to obtain the compensation you deserve. No one should pay for the financial costs that result from someone else’s negligence. Since 1982, the legal team at AutoAccident.com has helped clients in Northern California in pedestrian accidents. Call our legal team at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for a free consultation.

Given the number of accidents, it is critical to understand why they occur. Some common reasons are listed below:

• Failure to yield: Many times, motor vehicle drivers and bicyclists fail to yield to pedestrians. This leads to a catastrophic accident for vulnerable walkers.
• Distraction: Motorists are often distracted as they talk or text on their cell phones. In the five seconds, it takes a driver to write the average text message, the vehicle he or she is in can travel the length of a football field.
• Not looking when turning: Drivers who fail to look both ways when turning in an intersection are likely to hit a pedestrian.
• Crosswalk design defects: If the crosswalk is not designed to keep pedestrians safe by incorporating flaws in traffic flow control, the city may be liable. This also includes mismanaged timing signals.
• Drunk driving: Drivers who are inebriated lack the ability to control their vehicles. This is a major contributing factor to pedestrian injuries and deaths.
• Speeding: Drivers who are speeding cannot stop their vehicle in time to avoid hitting a pedestrian. At intersections, many motorists speed to avoid being caught at a red light.
• Limited visibility: This can happen in both an urban and rural setting. Winding roads in rural areas make it hard to see pedestrians. Overgrown limbs or foliage can hide a stop sign or make seeing a pedestrian entering a crossing area difficult. In such cases, liability for an accident rests squarely with the government agency in charge of maintenance. This type of claim has a much shorter deadline for an injured party to file. When the claim is not filed on time, the injured party will likely be unable to collect damages. Your Napa pedestrian accident attorney will ensure all documents are filed on time.

The video below provides some essential pedestrian safety tips to help you safely reach your destination.

Pedestrians feel safer when using a crosswalk, which is true in most instances. However, some crosswalks fail due to an absence of flashing signals and signs warning drivers to slow down and alert pedestrians. Since children, older and disabled pedestrians find it hard to navigate the crosswalk quickly, federal standards changed to give them more time. Yet, many cities and towns around the state have not made this adjustment. In the past, the greatest concern was to move pedestrians through the most significant efficiently. Now, the emphasis is placed on safety as a primary concern.

There are ways a pedestrian can protect themselves. Some of the best are:

• Become visible to drivers: Wearing bright-colored clothes during the day and carrying a flashlight or using reflective clothing at night can make pedestrians visible to drivers.
• Keep an eye on traffic: Use a sidewalk if possible.
• Use a crosswalk: When a crosswalk is present, it is a safer way to cross. Enter a crosswalk only when you see a flashing walk signal. Pay attention to your surroundings as you do so. If there is no available crosswalk, wait until there is no traffic. Remember to look left, right, and left again.
• Never dart across a street: Darting out into traffic is a surefire way of being hit or killed.
• Do not text: Being cognizant of what is happening around you when walking is critical. If you are texting, your focus is on your phone, not the road. This is extremely dangerous.
• Do not assume drivers will stop: Technically, the pedestrian has the right of way. However, assuming that a motorist will obey this rule can lead to pedestrian accidents.
• Keep your eyes on the motorist: Establish eye contact with a motorist. This will make him or her aware you are there.

At our law firm, we are ready to do what it takes to win your case. This begins with sending our investigative team to the accident site to gather the necessary evidence. The truth is that without proof that a motorist is responsible for the accident, the case may not proceed, and the pedestrian will end up paying for the costs associated with their injuries. Some of the ways we do this are:

• Our investigators examine the accident site to determine why the crash occurred. This can include malfunctioning signal lights and poorly designed crosswalks. It also includes physical roadway signs that the driver was intoxicated.
• We interview witnesses who saw the accident happen to interview pertinent information.
• Investigators search for security cameras on traffic lights and businesses that caught the accident as it happened.
• We review police reports for inaccuracies that will influence the case as it proceeds.
• Our investigators also check the timing of signal lights and whether the crosswalk has been the site of other pedestrian accidents.
• Once all the evidence is compiled, our pedestrian accident lawyers in Napa use it to construct a strong case for our clients.

If you or a family member were injured in a pedestrian accident, we could provide free and friendly advice. Call our Napa pedestrian accident lawyers at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400. We’ve helped Napa residents since 1982 obtain damages in car accidents, wrongful deaths, and motorcycle crashes, among others. Learn how we have resolved past Settlements and Verdicts.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.22.23] cd llo [cs 1073] Photo by Arek Adeoye on Unsplash}