Walking has been a longstanding tradition in Placerville, dating back to the days of stagecoaches and horses. However, in recent times, pedestrian activity has increased in Placerville and various parts of the state. People now walk for leisure, run errands, commute to work, and enjoy the benefits of exercise and fresh air. Unfortunately, with the rise in vehicular traffic and pedestrian presence, accidents and severe injuries have also seen an alarming surge.

When a pedestrian is involved in an accident with a motorist or another entity, they may find it necessary to pursue a compensation claim to cover the expenses resulting from their injuries.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Placerville and require legal guidance, we are here to assist you. Contact our law firm today at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 to schedule a free and no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced injury lawyers. 

At AutoAccident.com, we’ve successfully defended the rights of Placerville pedestrians to get fair compensation for many years. Our legal team provides compassionate, helpful support and keeps our clients in the loop as their claim progresses. We’re all family and work hard to ease the financial burden faced by many pedestrians injured by someone else’s negligence.

Every day, most people are pedestrians, at least for short periods. A pedestrian walks on foot or uses mobility aids such as a wheelchair or cane. A pedestrian can also be someone on a skateboard, or scooter, walking a bicycle, or pushing a baby stroller. Although some injured pedestrians are strictly on foot, others may walk to their car after grocery shopping or into a restaurant.

A pedestrian injured by a motorist or other entity, such as a business or government agency that maintains a crosswalk or park, can claim the following:

• All medical expenses associated with the accident can be recovered. This includes the ambulance fee, hospitalization, testing, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation. If home health care is required, it can consist of home modification, medical appliances, and the cost of a medical caretaker. If the injury continues into the future, those costs are added in.
• Lost wages from being unable to work are recoverable, including any bonuses or the value of additional job perks. 
• Lost earning capacity is added if the injured pedestrian takes a lower-paying job, and the difference is factored into the settlement. If they can no longer work, that is factored in too until retirement.
• Disfigurements such as scarring or a lost limb can be recovered for the injured party’s mental suffering.
• Loss of consortium, companionship, and affection for the spouse is recoverable.
• Mental anguish is recoverable, which may include anxiety, nightmares, or sleeplessness. Sometimes, the injured party may develop post-traumatic stress disorder requiring professional treatment.

Accidents involving pedestrians are generally caused by the driver of a motor vehicle. However, not all of them are. According to the National Safety Council, 7,668 people died in 2019 due to a pedestrian accident. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian injury accidents include:

• Distracted driving: Motorists busy texting, talking on a phone, chatting with passengers, and doing other activities can miss seeing a pedestrian until it’s too late.
• Drunk driving: When drivers drink, their motor skills, judgment, and ability to react quickly in an emergency are impaired. This makes it easy for the driver to miss seeing a pedestrian, especially after dark or during inclement weather.
• Government negligence: A government entity failing to maintain crosswalks and traffic lights or trim overgrown shrubbery can lead to a pedestrian accident. The government entity can be held liable in these instances.
• Backing: Many accidents occur when a motorist backs out of a parking space or driveway without checking first to see if a pedestrian is crossing behind them.
• Failure to stop: A driver who runs a stop sign or traffic light is often the cause of a pedestrian accident. Speeding can also contribute to this type of collision because the driver doesn’t have enough time to slow down before striking someone on foot.

There are ways in which a pedestrian can lower their risk of being in an accident. Some of the tips that follow might help:

• Always walk on a sidewalk whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, stay near the curb and face oncoming traffic.
• Use a crosswalk with designated signals whenever possible. If there isn’t one you want to cross, but a designated crosswalk is one street over, it’s worth walking that extra block.
• Obey traffic laws and never jaywalk. Motorists are not looking for pedestrians crossing in the middle of the block.
• Wear bright colors daily to make yourself more visible for increased pedestrian safety. After dark, wear light colors, carry a flashlight, and have reflective strips on your jacket to make it easier to see.
• Remember what your family taught you, and always look left, right, and left before crossing.
• Don’t assume a driver will stop for you at a crosswalk. Always wait until all vehicles are stopped before stepping off the curb.
• Don’t use alcohol or drugs before going out on foot. It can be just as dangerous to a pedestrian as to a driver.
• Watch out for vehicles backing from driveways and in parking lots. You may just be starting to cross behind them but aren’t yet in their field of vision. 

Watch the YouTube video below for more pedestrian safety tips.

When you’ve been injured by another’s negligent actions, you may be able to claim compensation to pay for your losses. For our free, friendly advice on whether you can file a claim for damages, call our Placerville pedestrian accident attorneys at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. 

A list of cases we have handled can be found on our Settlements and Verdicts page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 5.19.23] Image by Brian Merrill from Pixabay cd cha [cs 1025]}