Your life can change forever in a split second when you least expect it, like when you are carefully crossing the street. A negligent driver can leave you with severe injuries and an uncertain future. However, a San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer can help you hold the at-fault party accountable.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, our focus revolves entirely around you, our client. Consider us your dedicated legal family, supporting you every step of the way on your quest for justice. Our San Diego personal injury lawyers know how to prepare a winning case, and we have decades of combined experience.
Call us today for a free consultation.
We Offer Legal Guidance to Injured Pedestrians
Navigating the legal process after a severe pedestrian accident can feel intimidating. However, working with an experienced legal professional will simplify the process. Understanding the complexities involved in these types of cases, we offer professional legal assistance tailored to your needs.
In addition to physical injuries, a pedestrian accident can profoundly affect you emotionally. Entrusting our lawyers with your case allows you to prioritize healing. With an experienced San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer on your side, rest assured that your financial recovery is in capable hands.
What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
In the aftermath of a pedestrian crash, you should take the following steps when possible.
Notify the Police
You should contact the police and tell them about any pedestrian accident that results in an injury or property damage. The police can assess the causes of your accident and file an official report about what happened.
Your lawyer may draw on the information provided in this report to help you secure maximum compensation for your losses.
Seek Medical Care
Accidents involving pedestrians and motor vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries. You should get immediate treatment for your injuries. Getting prompt care can improve your chances of recovery and connect your injuries to the accident.
Gather Evidence if Possible
You may have a chance to collect evidence before you leave the scene of a pedestrian collision. We recommend getting contact details from witnesses, taking pictures of the accident scene, and writing down everything you remember about the crash.
Reach Out to a Law Firm
It’s essential that you contact a San Diego pedestrian accident attorney for help quickly after a crash. Getting help from a legal professional can improve your chances of securing the funds you need to cover your losses.
Your lawyer can help you avoid mistakes that could damage your claim and can explain the steps in the legal process, which may involve:
- Finding the liable party
- Performing an official investigation
- Filing an insurance claim
- Suing the party responsible for your crash
Reach out to us today to learn more.
Possible Damages for Pedestrian Accident Victims in San Diego
Being hit by a car as a pedestrian can lead to catastrophic injuries. Unlike individuals inside vehicles, pedestrians lack the protective barrier that can protect them from the direct impact of an accident, leaving them exceptionally vulnerable to severe harm.
Moreover, pedestrians often have little time to react to the imminent danger of an oncoming car. Factors such as distracted driving and excessive speed increase the already heightened risk pedestrians face on both roads and sidewalks.
Different types of economic and non-economic damages are available in a pedestrian accident case, including:
Medical Bills
A pedestrian accident can result in catastrophic injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
A personal injury attorney can take steps to bring you compensation for the medical treatment you require to recover. For example, you may qualify for money to pay for your emergency care, time in a hospital, physical therapy appointments, and medications.
We understand the losses victims of pedestrian accidents face and want to help.
Loss of Earnings
Filing a pedestrian accident claim may help you get funds to cover the wages you lose while off work to heal from your injuries. Your lawyer may also help you secure compensation to address your lost earning potential if you experience a disability after a crash.
Non-Economic Losses
The liable party may need to pay for any non-economic repercussions of your pedestrian accident. For example, we may help you secure funds to pay for:
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
We’ll add up all the losses you experience and include them in your claim.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, you may qualify for punitive damages in California. Punitive damages serve to punish the person responsible for your accident instead of directly covering the losses you sustained.
The court system does not always award punitive damages. We can review your situation and determine if you qualify for this form of compensation.
How Much Compensation Do You Get After a Pedestrian Crash?
The amount of your award or settlement offer depends on the details of your situation. Typically, the severity of your injuries influences the level of compensation you may receive, considering factors such as expenses incurred and available evidence.
A San Diego pedestrian accident attorney will evaluate your losses using comprehensive documentation such as bills, receipts, and financial records. Additionally, we may engage specialists from various disciplines to accurately forecast future expenses.
Why Pick Our Firm to Handle Your Legal Claim?
Our team at Omega Law Group has decades of combined legal experience that we can apply to your claim after a pedestrian crash. We believe in putting our clients first, always, and will prioritize your best interests after a crash.
We’ve brought our clients millions of dollars in compensation and invite you to review our case results to see examples of our work. We know how to track all of your losses, and we handle legal matters while you recover from your pedestrian accident injuries.
We Work on a Contingency-Fee System
Our team can handle your claim on a contingency-fee basis, so you won’t have to pay legal fees until the resolution of your claim when you hire us for help after a crash. We never want to add to the financial burdens you experience after a crash.
What Types of Pedestrian Accidents Can We Handle?
Our firm can help with many types of pedestrian accidents. You can reach out to us for assistance after a:
Parking Lot Pedestrian Accident
Many pedestrian crashes happen in parking lots. These crashes frequently occur because motorists back up or pull forward out of spaces without checking for pedestrians. We see more of these accidents with larger vehicles that have more blind spots.
Crosswalk Pedestrian Accident
Motorists have a responsibility to follow traffic laws, meaning they need to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Unfortunately, many drivers ignore this law and fail to slow down or yield when a pedestrian attempts to legally cross a road, resulting in accidents throughout San Diego County.
Some accidents involve unmarked crosswalks at smaller intersections. Vehicles may turn into a pedestrian’s path or proceed without slowing down.
Our team can discuss personal injury claims for these situations.
Jaywalking Pedestrian Accidents
In some cases, pedestrian accidents occur because individuals step into traffic without warning or the protection of a crosswalk. We can review the liability of all involved parties for these accidents, potentially bringing you fair compensation for all of your losses.
Don’t Trust the Insurance Company
Insurance companies prioritize settling claims for the least possible amount, aligning with their financial interests. Consequently, they employ strategies such as prolonging claim processing, underestimating injuries, disputing liability, or outright denying valid claims.
Navigating interactions with claim adjusters without legal representation exposes you to potential exploitation, leading to inadequate compensation. If you decide to work with us, our attorneys will manage all communications with claim adjusters on your behalf.
Drawing from our extensive experience, our pedestrian accident attorneys in San Diego are well-versed in the tactics used by insurance companies to minimize payouts. We will construct a compelling case that illustrates the entirety of your losses. Should they refuse a reasonable settlement, we stand prepared to escalate your case to litigation.
How California’s Pure Comparative Negligence Law Affects Your Pedestrian Accident Case
Under the pure comparative negligence system, even if you share some responsibility for your injuries, you can still pursue damages proportionate to the defendant’s level of fault. For example, if a car hits you while you’re crossing the street and looking at your phone, you may still qualify for compensation, though the available funds drop based on your percentage of fault.
As an injured pedestrian, you can seek compensation if you are not entirely to blame for the incident. For instance, if you are found 20% responsible and your total losses amount to $30,000, you can still recover 80% of that sum, totaling $24,000.
Seek guidance from Omega Law Group to understand better how the state’s negligence law impacts your potential compensation. We will provide you with the information necessary to make well-informed decisions about your case.
Legal Action After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident
After the untimely loss of a loved one, our San Diego wrongful death lawyers offer empathetic support. We recognize the profound emotional toll accompanying such a loss and will compassionately guide you through this challenging period.
Surviving family members may have the opportunity to pursue compensation for various losses, including:
- Funeral expenses
- Lost financial support
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
While we understand that no amount of money can alleviate the pain you’re experiencing, seeking wrongful death damages can ease some of the financial burden.
Our committed legal team is here to navigate the intricacies of the legal process on your behalf, enabling you to concentrate on healing and honoring the cherished memory of your loved one.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits
California’s statute of limitations imposes a deadline for starting legal proceedings against the responsible party. So, what is the statute of limitations on a personal injury in California?
The majority of personal injury lawsuits must begin within two years. Similarly, after a fatal pedestrian accident, most wrongful death lawsuits are subject to the same two-year timeframe.
Neglecting to file within this prescribed window can result in forfeiting your ability to seek compensation. Act promptly and seek guidance from an attorney who can file all your legal documents on time.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics in San Diego
California has instituted many laws on pedestrian safety in an attempt to reduce the number of accidents we see every year. However, even with these laws, California has more pedestrian fatalities than any other state in the country.
Additionally, we have seen pedestrian deaths increase in San Diego despite road safety improvements. The city began an initiative in 2015 to reduce fatal pedestrian crashes, and a recent report shows that, instead, the number of deadly accidents increased.
You can reach out to our law firm for help if you–or a loved one–end up in a pedestrian crash. We’ll assist with all legal matters and take your situation seriously.
Call Our San Diego Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
At Omega Law Group, you always have access to the attorney handling your case. We understand the significance of being accessible and promptly answering all your questions. Our San Diego pedestrian accident lawyers maintain open lines of communication and address any concerns you may have.
Contact us today to connect with our experienced attorneys. We’re eager to hear the specifics of your situation and assist you in pursuing justice.