Marin County Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Dedicated Marin County Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Who Turn Injured Victims Into Victors
If you’re injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation. Our Marin County pedestrian accident attorneys can help you secure the financial recovery you deserve. Call (888) 488-1391 to know if you have a viable case through a free initial consultation.
Traveling on foot is a healthy way to get around, but the reality is that our streets have become increasingly dangerous. Pedestrians are at risk of getting injured because of careless drivers in Marin County, especially in areas with heavy foot and vehicle traffic. Walking along busy intersections or crowded locations requires you to be vigilant.
If a pedestrian accident left you injured or killed a loved one, Arash Khorsandi, Esq., and his industry-recognized team at Arash Law in Marin County are here to help. Trust our pedestrian accident lawyers in Marin County to handle your case efficiently and fight for your fair compensation.
How Our Marin County Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Can Help
Getting injured in a pedestrian accident can be devastating. Hire experienced personal injury lawyers to help you with the legal process and ease off the burden. Our Marin County pedestrian accident attorneys will protect your rights and advocate for your interests. We can provide the following services to get you the compensation you deserve:
- Calculating Damages — Our experienced team will meticulously assess all aspects of your case to calculate the full extent of your damages. We’ll take into account your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and any future medical costs or long-term care needs.
- Establishing Liability — We will prove the responsible party’s liability. Your lawyer will obtain the necessary evidence to establish their negligence and build a strong case for you.
- Filing Your Claim — Your attorney will prepare and file the necessary paperwork. You can focus on getting better with your lawyer doing the legwork.
- Negotiating With Insurance Companies — Demanding compensation from insurance providers can be frustrating. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, often using tactics designed to undervalue your claim or pressure you into accepting a quick, low settlement. Skilled legal counsel can help you level the playing field.
- Filing A Lawsuit — Your lawyer knows when and how to obtain the settlement amount you are entitled to. As a last resort, our pedestrian accident attorneys will take your case to court to fight for the true value of your claim.
Settlement in a motor vehicle versus pedestrian accident; client, suffered facial and spinal injuries
– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Why Choose Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
After a pedestrian accident, you deserve the best injury law firm to help you recover the maximum compensation you are owed. Our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys in Marin County can help you get the most out of your claim. As one of the biggest personal injury law firms in California, we have years of experience providing victims with the personalized attention they need to recover physically and financially.
Our Marin County injury law firm has the local insight required to handle your case efficiently. When you hire us, we will maintain honest and open communication to keep you updated at all times and ensure you always make well-informed decisions. We will fight to get you the best possible outcome, whether that’s settling out of court or taking your case to trial.
We have a proven track record of success, securing over $500 million for injured victims. You can be confident that your case is in capable hands. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no financial risk in seeking our help. We only get paid once we recover compensation for you, so no upfront fees are required.
Here are some of the things our clients have said about us:
“They are a fully staffed office and the guy handling my case was a former insurance adjustor [sic] who left his company to work for Arash. They did better than I could have asked for!”
– Ballet C.
“They are really great! I worked with other attorneys in the past and never received this type of professional representation. This office really cares about their [sic] clients! Thank you so much!”
– Lane B.
“Thank you to the best lawyers of Arash Law for being so professional, kind, helpful, and honest with me. I thank them from the bottom of my heart and highly recommend Arash Law over anyone else.”
– Sergio L.
Understanding Pedestrian Right-Of-Way Laws
Since pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users, they are protected by several right-of-way laws.
- Drivers are required to stop and give way to pedestrians crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk or at an intersection.
- Drivers must provide people with disabilities, older people, and children enough time to cross the street.
- Drivers should wait when they see other vehicles stopped at a crosswalk, as they might be allowing pedestrians to cross.
- Drivers must stop and give way to pedestrians and other cars while exiting driveways or parking spaces.
- Driving on sidewalks marked as safe routes for pedestrians is strictly prohibited.
- Drivers are expected to exercise caution even when a pedestrian is not using a crosswalk.
California’s New Jaywalking Law And Its Implications
California’s Freedom to Walk Act has made crossing outside of crosswalks and intersections legal, provided it’s done safely by pedestrians. This new legislation reflects a rising awareness of pedestrian rights and the need for flexible urban mobility. Still, pedestrians should do their part by abiding by traffic laws and using sidewalks and crosswalks as much as possible.
The state’s new jaywalking law offers pedestrians greater freedom, but it also gives them added responsibility. This is because jaywalking is only permissible when there is no immediate danger of collision. In truth, both pedestrians and drivers are expected to be more alert and aware of their surroundings.
Ultimately, pedestrian safety is still of utmost importance. Since marked crosswalks and intersections are usually the safest places to cross, pedestrians are highly encouraged to continue to use them whenever possible. Making eye contact with drivers is also recommended to make sure they notice you before you step onto the road. It would also greatly help to stay visible at night or in low-visibility situations by wearing bright clothes. More importantly, refrain from distractions like using phones when crossing. Observing safety practices remains the best way to prevent accidents.
Typical Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents
Most traffic collisions happen due to the negligence of motorists. In some cases, other parties not directly involved in the accident may be liable, such as a manufacturing company or government agency. Our Marin County personal injury lawyers can help you determine which factors contributed to the accident, including the following:
- Distracted Driving — Distractions like using phones, talking to other occupants, and eating or drinking can take a driver’s attention off the road and potentially cause an accident. For instance, an Uber driver who is preoccupied with looking for a passenger ride request through the app may not notice a pedestrian crossing the road, leading to an Uber accident.
- Speeding & Reckless Driving — Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time to pedestrians and increases the severity of injuries during accidents. Other reckless driving behaviors include disobeying traffic laws, such as running red lights and weaving in and out of traffic.
- Driving While Impaired — Alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription medications can result in impaired driving, affecting a driver’s ability to react in time to avoid pedestrians.
- Failure To Yield — Negligent drivers may fail or outright choose not to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians when making turns or driving through crosswalks or intersections.
- Backing Up — When backing out of a driveway or parking spot, a driver might fail to notice a pedestrian walking behind them.
- Limited Visibility — It can be challenging for drivers to see pedestrians when their views are obstructed or limited due to low light or inclement weather.
Our Marin County pedestrian accident attorneys can investigate the cause of the collision, gather evidence, and build a strong case to hold the responsible party accountable. Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrians fare considerably worse during traffic collisions due to a lack of physical protection. They may get sent flying over the car’s windshield, flung off their mobility devices, or risk being run over by vehicles on the road. The injuries they sustain depend on various factors, most notably the speed and type of the vehicle involved. Truck accidents, for instance, almost always lead to catastrophic injuries due to the sheer size and weight of these road giants.
Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Marin County can help you recover compensation for these injuries and more:
- Head and brain injuries can range from mild concussions to serious brain damage with permanent and life-changing consequences to the victim’s cognitive abilities.
- Back and spinal cord injuries can lead to permanent paralysis. Less severe cases may still require extensive therapy and even lifelong care.
- Whiplash and other neck injuries, including fractures, dislocations, and nerve damage, could result in chronic pain.
- Soft tissue damage, including cuts, sprains, strains, dislocations, and bruises, may never fully heal and result in long-term health issues.
- Fractures may heal on their own over time, but some cases may require surgical intervention.
- Traumatic or surgical amputations often require intensive medical treatment, including surgery, rehabilitation, and prosthetics. Compensation can help cover medical costs, rehabilitation, and support for long-term recovery.
- Internal bleeding and organ damage can be life-threatening, requiring immediate medical attention and ongoing treatment.
Urgent medical attention is critical after getting injured in a pedestrian collision. Even if you feel fine or think your injuries aren’t that serious, you still need to see a doctor. Our injury lawyers specializing in pedestrian accidents will help secure the compensation you need to pay for your medical treatments.
Damages You Can Recover After A Pedestrian Accident
In addition to your injuries, you will likely suffer from other losses after a pedestrian accident. You might end up with thousands of dollars in medical debt from the accident and have to pay for expensive ongoing treatments. It might also be impossible for you to return to work because of the long-term disability caused by your injuries, putting you in a vulnerable financial position.
Compensatory damages are divided into two categories: economic damages compensate for tangible financial losses, while non-economic damages address the intangible effects of your injuries on your life.
Here are some examples of the losses our Marin County pedestrian accident attorneys can recover on your behalf:
- Current and future medical costs, including medications, therapies, and long-term medical care.
- Wages you missed and the earning capacity you will lose because of your injury or disability.
- Expenses for replacing or repairing damaged or destroyed personal property.
- Physical pain and emotional suffering, loss of consortium, and other subjective losses.
- Additional out-of-pocket expenses, like the cost of installing railings at your home or hiring a driver.
In extremely rare cases, the court awards punitive damages to the plaintiff to punish the defendant for gross negligence or malicious actions and prevent similar behavior in the future.
Wrongful Death Claim Involving Pedestrian Accidents
Tragically, pedestrian accidents sometimes result in the untimely death of unsuspecting victims. In such an unfortunate incident, the family member of the deceased is entitled to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit against the responsible party.
After the death of a loved one, you can seek compensation for funeral or burial expenses and the medical bills the victim incurred prior to their untimely passing. You can also obtain compensation for lost future wages and loss of companionship.
The at-fault driver doesn’t need to be criminally charged for them to be liable for the wrongful death claim. Speak with one of our Marin County pedestrian accident attorneys about your wrongful death case to determine what you’re entitled to. We have worked on some of the most difficult cases and won, so we can help you recover your losses as well.
Potentially Liable Parties In A Pedestrian Accident
Recovering damages after a pedestrian accident entails filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. In most cases, the at-fault party is usually the driver, but deeper investigation will sometimes reveal other parties not directly involved in the accident. Our Marin County accident lawyers will take the time to identify who’s responsible for your injuries. Some liable parties may include:
- A careless driver who did not yield at a stop sign.
- A careless driver who hits a pedestrian in a parking lot, a bus stop, or in a school zone.
- Cyclists, e-scooter users, and even pedestrians who injure other pedestrians due to carelessness.
- Property owners who should have been aware of hazards on their properties but failed to fix them, eventually causing pedestrians to slip or trip and fall.
- Contractors, developers, and other managing parties that fail to remove hazards on or around construction projects that affect pedestrians.
- Government agencies that fail to keep the road in good condition.
In some cases, you can hold several people accountable for your losses. California’s pure comparative negligence rule allows for multiple parties to share the blame. Our knowledgeable Marin County pedestrian accident lawyers will ensure all negligent parties are held liable.
How To Prove Liability After A Pedestrian Accident
If you’re a pedestrian injured in a car accident, California law requires you to establish the responsible party’s liability before you can claim compensation. You have to prove that your injuries were the result of the at-fault party’s negligence, which is often a complicated legal process. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Marin County will help you establish the following elements of negligence:
- Duty Of Care — First, you must prove that the driver owed you a duty of care.
- Breach Of Duty — Next, you need to prove that the driver broke their duty of care through their negligent action, such as speeding or failing to yield at crosswalks.
- Causation — Then, you must prove that the driver’s negligence directly caused the accident that injured you.
- Damages — Finally, you need to prove that you suffered actual damages due to the accident, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Establishing these elements involves gathering compelling evidence, documenting injuries and damages, and pursuing fair compensation through effective and strategic representation. Our pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to help you with all these steps.
What To Do After A Pedestrian Accident
After a pedestrian accident, remain calm. Take the following steps to protect your well-being and right to compensation:
- Check for injuries and call 911. Move to a safe location near the scene of the accident. If moving will aggravate your injuries, ask for help and stay still. Let the paramedics give you initial medical care.
- Note the contact details of the driver and any witnesses to the collision. This will be instrumental in the police report.
- If you can, take pictures and videos of your injuries, the vehicle involved, and the scene of the collision.
- Talk to the authorities about what happened, but avoid taking the blame, saying sorry, or making assumptions.
- Get prompt medical help at a hospital and strictly follow your doctor’s medical advice.
- Don’t post on social media. Insurance adjusters are trained to look for anything they could use to hurt your claim and reduce the amount they have to pay you.
- Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391. They can gather evidence, such as CCTV footage from nearby businesses, and ensure that every aspect of your case is managed well. Let our reliable Marin County pedestrian accident lawyers help you recover financial compensation for all your damages.
What initially seemed like a routine rear-end collision, commonly known as a “fender bender,” turned into a significant settlement with high maximum limits for a client who suffered lower back disc injuries. The case was resolved just two weeks before the scheduled trial commencement.– BRIAN BEECHER
Gathering Evidence For A Pedestrian Accident Claim
Evidence is paramount to a successful claim as it helps establish the facts of the case. You need to gather and present strong evidence to prove negligence and recover damages. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Marin County will help collect the following crucial pieces of evidence to bolster your claim:
- Detailed Police Reports — The official report of the accident made by the authorities can provide an unbiased description of the accident, including vital information like witness names and statements, road hazards, weather, any penalties given to the driver, and accident site diagrams.
- Witness Testimonies — Eyewitnesses can provide important insights that confirm your account of how the accident transpired.
- Medical Records — What role do medical records play in proving damages? They illustrate the extent of your injuries and help connect them to the accident. This proves that the negligent action directly resulted in you sustaining the injuries.
- Traffic Camera Footage — How exactly the accident unfolded can be unmistakably shown through video footage from traffic cameras.
Filing A Pedestrian Hit-And-Run Accident Claim
Ideally, the motorist who strikes a pedestrian should stay at the scene and give the injured party their insurance information, contact details, driver’s license, and license plate number. All the pedestrian needs to do is submit a claim to the driver’s insurance provider.
The process becomes more complicated if the motorist responsible for the accident flees the scene and there are no witnesses or identifying details of the vehicle. In such cases, you can submit a claim with your auto insurance provider and use the uninsured motorist coverage, if any. Additionally, you may use your medical insurance to cover your medical expenses.
The best-case scenario involves the at-fault driver being found and held liable. Regardless, our expert Marin County pedestrian accident attorneys can offer guidance on your options, ensuring you are compensated fairly for your injuries and damages.
The Deadline For Filing Pedestrian Accident Lawsuits
In general, you only have two years from the date of the accident or discovery of injuries to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. This statute of limitations also applies to pedestrian accident cases. Any personal injury claim against a government or public agency must be submitted within six months of the incident. Certain situations allow for the deadline to be tolled, such as when the plaintiff is a minor or if the defendant is out of state.
Failing to observe the statute could mean losing your right to recover compensation for your damages. Hire our pedestrian accident attorneys serving Marin County and the whole of California to ensure your claim is filed on time.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Recent data showed that California roadways are considered to be the third-deadliest for pedestrians in the entire United States. In fact, the 653 pedestrian fatalities recorded in 2012 increased to 1,108 in 2021.
In Marin County, the Office of Traffic Safety reported 65 pedestrians who were killed and injured in traffic collisions. Four of these victims were under the age of 15, while 16 were 65 years old and above.
These figures show the devastating effects of pedestrian accidents. If you’re injured in one, reach out to our pedestrian accident attorneys in Marin County. We can help you pursue justice and fair compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is Seeking Prompt Medical Treatment Crucial?
Adrenaline in the immediate aftermath of an accident can prevent you from feeling pain. Because of this, you may not become immediately aware of the full extent of your injuries and think you’re fine. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Marin County recommend seeking medical help right away to uncover hidden injuries and prevent them from getting worse.
How Does The Claims Process For Pedestrian Accidents Work?
Speaking with a reputable injury lawyer is the first step in obtaining compensation after a pedestrian accident. Experienced pedestrian accident lawyers in Marin County will identify the at-fault party and determine the full extent of your injuries and losses through a comprehensive investigation and evidence collection. Your lawyer will then submit a settlement demand letter to the at-fault party and their insurance provider. If the insurer refuses to pay you, your pedestrian accident lawyer will fight for the maximum compensation possible in court.
What Obstacles Could I Run Into When Negotiating With Insurance Companies?
Insurance companies often use various tactics to minimize payouts, such as downplaying the severity of injuries, delaying claim processing, or pressuring you to accept a quick, low settlement. They may also attempt to shift some of the blame onto you to reduce their liability.
You might wonder, “Do I need a personal injury lawyer to handle this?” Hiring skilled pedestrian injury attorneys in Marin County will help you build a solid strategy for obtaining the compensation you are due. They can also protect you from the tactics insurance providers use to avoid liability.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partially At Fault For The Pedestrian Accident?
What if you were carelessly jaywalking when you got hit? Can you still recover compensation if you are found to be partially at fault? Under California’s pure comparative negligence law, you can still recover damages even if you share the blame. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to the degree of responsibility assigned to you. Your $100,000 award, for instance, will be reduced to $75,000 if you are found to be 25% liable for the accident. Speak with our Marin County pedestrian accident lawyers to understand how partial fault impacts your case.
How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
The severity of the injuries you sustained and the resulting losses are just two of the numerous factors that will determine the value of your pedestrian accident case. Pedestrians frequently sustain the most serious injuries in traffic accidents, so high-value claims are not unusual. For one of our clients, we were able to recover a settlement amounting to $10,000,000.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Marin County can assess your case and calculate the full extent of your damages. Call us now at (888) 488-1391.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Pedestrian Accident Attorney?
Most pedestrian accident attorneys in Marin County take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t have to pay for legal counsel upfront. You will only have to pay an agreed-upon percentage once you win your case in court or reach a settlement. That also means you owe the attorney nothing if your case is unsuccessful.
Talk To The Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Marin County Trusts
Negligent drivers make walking a terrifying experience for pedestrians. If you get injured or a loved one is tragically killed in a pedestrian collision, our Marin County pedestrian accident attorneys are here for you. We will help you secure compensation that allows you to recover physically and financially.
Call Arash Law today at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form. Through our free, no-obligation consultation, you will learn about your rights and options. Your key to a complete financial recovery is just a call away.
Besides Marin County, our pedestrian accident lawyers also serve neighboring locations, including San Francisco, Richmond, Berkeley, Petaluma, Penngrove, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Freestone, Valley Ford, Graton, Occidental, Bodega Bay, Salmon Creek, Bloomfield, Sears Point, Fairville, and McGill.
