Pedestrian accidents are a common occurrence, even in Ukiah. According to the OTS (California Office of Traffic Safety), 15 pedestrians were hurt or killed in Ukiah in 2018, the latest year for statistics in the area. Most of these accidents happen because a negligent driver broke a traffic law or wasn’t paying attention. When a pedestrian accident injury occurs caused by the negligence of another driver or other entity, the injured party has the right to claim compensation to cover medical costs and lost wages as well as for the pain and suffering they endured.

With the help of an injury lawyer, a pedestrian can obtain fair compensation, which is often much higher than if they try to collect financial damages alone. Because an insurance company is a business that wants to make a profit, they often offer a low-ball amount to an injured person, hoping they will accept right away. This rids the insurance company of any further financial responsibility.

In addition, there are many laws on the books in California regarding pedestrians and their rights and duties. Some of those laws are ambiguous, which an insurance company can use to try and deny your claim. At AutoAccident.com, our legal team knows how to deal with the insurance company to help you get the compensation you deserve. We’re equally comfortable taking the case to civil court if negotiations are unsuccessful.

Most pedestrian injury accidents result in hospitalization, sometimes lengthy, and multiple injuries are not uncommon. Injuries to the extremities and trauma to the face, neck, and head are common. Some of the most frequent types of injuries suffered in a pedestrian accident include:

• Broken bones: Fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, hips, and pelvis often occur and are caused either by the direct impact of a vehicle or by being thrown in the air or onto the hood of the car.
• Facial injuries: Facial fractures, broken teeth, lacerations, and other damage can require surgical repair or result in disfigurement and scarring.
• Traumatic brain injuries: TBIs can range from a concussion to bleeding inside the brain or a diffuse axonal injury, often lethal.
• Spinal cord trauma: Depending on the extent of trauma to the spinal cord, it can cause temporary or permanent paralysis below where the injury occurred.
• Abdominal trauma: Trauma to the abdomen can cause internal bleeding or organ damage. Abdominal trauma is often an emergency which requires surgery to repair.
• Chest trauma: Trauma to the chest can include heavy bruising, fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, or even damage to the heart.

Many reasons can cause a Ukiah pedestrian accident. Some of them are listed below:

• Distracted driving: Accessing electronic devices such as texting or looking at the GPS while driving takes the driver’s attention from focusing on the roadway. Distractions are a significant cause of a Ukiah pedestrian collision.
• Speeding: Drivers who are speeding can lose control of their vehicle or be unable to stop when a pedestrian is in their path up ahead. The faster a car goes, the more serious the injury and risk of death to the person on foot.
• Drunk driving and substance abuse: Drunk drivers and those using drugs while driving represent a significant factor in the cause of all types of traffic accidents. They exhibit poor judgment, slowed reflexes, and problems judging distances, making them unsafe on the road.
• Not using turn signals: If a driver at an intersection is planning to turn and doesn’t signal, a pedestrian doesn’t realize that it may be unsafe to cross and step into the vehicle’s path.
• Failure to yield: A pedestrian in a crosswalk has the right to safety while crossing the street. A driver who fails to yield is committing a traffic infraction that can seriously injure a walker.
• Red-light runners: Drivers who run a red light or stop sign often cause severe injuries to pedestrians because the person on foot cannot get out of the way.
• Government negligence: Intersections must be maintained in pristine condition to make it safe for everyone using them. When traffic or walk light malfunctions, lighting is poor, and corners obscured by overgrown shrubbery create a danger for everyone, including pedestrians. When government negligence results in a pedestrian accident, the entity may be held responsible financially for any injuries or fatalities.

The following YouTube video explains why pedestrian accident deaths are on the rise.

Pedestrian accidents must be investigated to collect evidence supporting compensation claims like other personal injuries. In conducting an investigation:

• Our investigative team reviews the report filed by the police to determine if it is accurate. Any mistakes could affect an injured person’s ability to file a compensation claim.
• Forensic reconstruction of the accident is performed. This type of evidence illustrates how the pedestrian accident occurred, from the initial placement of the vehicle and walker to how the collision happened. This type of evidence often shows who was at fault for the incident.
• Witnesses of the pedestrian accident are interviewed to take their statements. Sometimes, a witness even videotaped the accident on their cell phone, providing good evidence.
• While at the accident scene, the investigators looked for evidence from nearby traffic surveillance cameras. One of them might have captured the pedestrian accident if cameras were present.

Our injury attorneys use the gathered information to construct a strong claim for our client.

When a pedestrian injury occurs because of a driver or other negligent entity, the injured walker may be able to claim fair compensation against them. Call us for free and friendly advice at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400. See our past cases of Settlements and Verdicts.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 9.7.23] Image by Horacio Lozada from Pixabay cd llo [981] cha}