El Centro Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable in traffic because even a minor crash can lead to catastrophic injuries. When someone else’s negligent actions cause an accident in which you suffer an injury, you may be able to seek compensation. However, recovering damages without a personal injury attorney can be complicated.

An El Centro pedestrian accident lawyer from Walter Clark Legal Group can guide you through your case and fight for the money you deserve. By taking legal action as soon as possible, you are improving your chances of fair damage recovery.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Thousands of pedestrians sustain injuries on the road every year. The most common causes of these accidents are:

Distracted Driving

Drivers often divert their attention from the road when they are texting, talking on the phone, eating, or using in-vehicle technologies, making them less aware of their surroundings and causing accidents.

Failure to Yield

Drivers may fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks, intersections, or when making turns.

Impaired Driving

Alcohol, drugs, and certain medications can impair a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and coordination.

Poor Visibility

Low visibility conditions, such as darkness, fog, or heavy rain, can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.

• Speeding
• When drivers exceed the speed limit, they have less time to stop or slow down to avoid a collision with a pedestrian.

By examining the cause of the accident, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in El Centro can identify those liable and file a claim against their insurance company or initiate a direct lawsuit.

Damages in Pedestrian Accidents

The amount of compensation an injured pedestrian can recover after a crash depends on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, the quality of evidence, and the skills of their legal team.

Types of Damages

The principal types of damages in a pedestrian accident case are:

• Economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, and property damage
• Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life

When the case goes to court, the judge may also award punitive damages. The purpose of these is to punish the at-fault party for exceptionally negligent and reckless behavior. A pedestrian collision attorney from El Centro can investigate the incident, collect the necessary evidence, and build a strong case against the at-fault party.

Comparative Negligence

California is a pure comparative negligence state. This means the percentage of the injured pedestrian’s fault in the accident reduces the damages they will receive.

For example, when a speeding driver hits a jaywalking pedestrian, the judge may rule that the driver is 80 percent responsible for the crash while the pedestrian is 20 percent responsible. When the total amount of damages the pedestrian sues for is $100,000, they can only receive $80,000.

Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Crash Claims

The injured pedestrian has only two years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Once these two years are up, the judge is likely to dismiss the case immediately.

There are, however, some exceptions to the statute of limitations. An experienced lawyer from El Centro can evaluate the pedestrian accident and explain whether there is an opportunity to toll the statute.

Call a Skilled Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in El Centro Today

When you or your loved one sustains injuries in a pedestrian accident, you need an experienced attorney to handle the claim. This is where a skilled El Centro pedestrian accident attorney from Walter Clark Legal Group could assist.

We will help you navigate the many complexities of your case and fight vigorously for the money you deserve. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.