Oakley retains its small-town charm with the bonus of being close to San Francisco and Sacramento. That also makes it a great getaway spot for vacationers. However, with more pedestrians and vehicles in town, the possibility of a pedestrian accident increases. When this happens, it is wise for the injured party to obtain an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer’s insight.

Our firm has been helping pedestrians since 1982 obtain the compensation they deserve when they are injured in an accident. The walker’s life may be turned upside down in a split second as they suffer physical and monetary damages. Every member of our staff and legal team understands the traumatic effects of a pedestrian crash, and we work together to make it easier for our clients as they proceed through this difficult time. Fighting for our client’s rights is what we do best, and we use our legal acumen and investigative diligence to successfully resolve your case. Call us at (925) 428-5220 or online.

Despite the roughly 30 percent decrease in traffic accidents in 2020 evidenced nationwide, the rate of fatalities has increased by 8 percent. This is primarily due to the high number of pedestrian deaths, which rose to 6,721 2020 from 6,412 in 2019. The disparity here is that pedestrian accidents still increase with fewer vehicles on the road.

First responders answered this dilemma, saying speed is the culprit. Not only is speeding being blamed, but the prevalence of larger vehicles, such as SUVs, traveling at a higher speed is responsible for catastrophic pedestrian collisions and deaths. This is true in Oakley and the surrounding areas and across the country.

When a pedestrian is injured by a negligent motorist or another party, such as a city agency in charge of the maintenance of crosswalks, the following damages can be collected:

• Medical costs: All medical expenses pertinent to the accident are reclaimable. These include the emergency room, diagnostic tests, hospital stays, surgery, all radiographic studies such as MRIs or CT scans, surgery, and physician services.
• Rehabilitative and ongoing care: This category includes physical therapy in rehabilitation facilities and room costs, outpatient physical therapy, and assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and others.
• Mental health services: The traumatic effects of a pedestrian accident can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The cost of a counselor or psychologist would be covered.
• Home modifications: This category reflects the cost of home construction that enables a disabled person to reenter their home after an accident. It includes ramps, hand bars, and other accommodations to make the home livable for a disabled person, along with walk-in showers and stairlifts.
• Lost wages can occur when the injured party cannot actively work for a specific interval or permanently due to injuries. Your pedestrian accident lawyer in Oakley can calculate the amount using employment wage records. If you work as a freelancer or are self-employed, your tax records or client verification of monetary earnings are used.
• Lost benefits:  Employment benefits are figured into the total financial loss due to lost employment.
• Reduced earning potential: This is a calculated value and reflects the income the individual would have made if it were not for their injury.
• Pain and suffering: This subjective finding differs for each case. It includes the pain, anxiety, sorrow, and loss of society a person must endure after an accident.

In California, an injured party may include punitive damages when they file against a negligent party. These damages differ from compensatory damages, such as those covering medical care and lost wages. They do not compensate anyone. Instead, they are used to punish the negligent party.

It is hoped the addition of punitive damages will prevent the person from repeating an egregious act and signal a warning to others at the same time. The lawsuit does not specify a particular amount but may ask the court/jury for punitive damages.

Some reasons for a pedestrian accident are:

• Distracted driving: A driver not focusing on the road might miss seeing a pedestrian.
• Drunk driving: An inebriated driver is often unaware of their surroundings and does not look for pedestrians crossing the roadway.
• Speeding: The speeding driver is less likely to control their vehicle and stop in time to avoid accidents. In addition, the speed of impact affects the severity of a pedestrian accident. For instance, a driver traveling at 25 mph is less likely to cause fatal injuries, while driving at 40 mph will.
• Not yielding to a pedestrian: A driver is required to yield to a pedestrian in and out of a crosswalk. However, all too commonly, this does not happen.
• Not obeying traffic signals: Drivers are obliged to follow traffic signals. This includes those around crosswalks.
• Lack of maintenance and design: Each city and county has a governmental office in charge of road maintenance. This includes taking care of crosswalks and ensuring that pedestrians have enough time to cross and that the area is clean and well-lit. Likewise, the design of a crosswalk and signage must be adhered to. In both cases, the governmental agency can be sued if this is not done. However, the process differs from that of other personal injury lawsuits. The time to file is shorter, and missing the deadline can mean the court will not hear the case. Your pedestrian accident injury lawyer will ensure that all documents are appropriately filed.