Ontario Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
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Our Ontario Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Offer Legal Guidance After An Accident
Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere — whether you’re on a driveway, sidewalk, or crosswalk. If you get hurt in one, our Ontario pedestrian accident lawyers are here to listen to your story. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other related costs.
Many of these crashes happen because drivers get distracted. They may be texting or changing the radio instead of focusing on the road. Poor lighting, adverse weather conditions, or malfunctioning traffic signals can also contribute to these incidents.
These collisions can lead to injuries that can significantly impact your life and future. You may be seeking free accident lawyer advice to gain more clarity on your case. Arash Law can help you understand your next steps and stand by your side. Give us a call at (888) 488‑1391 for a free initial consultation.
What Can Ontario Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Do?
Ontario, California, is a city known for its shopping malls, major businesses, and international airport. Located at the intersection of the I-10 and I-15, the city serves as a central hub for trade and transportation in Southern California.
Heavy traffic through areas like the Mills Circle and along Holt Boulevard creates significant hazards for pedestrians. With all these activities, the risk of accidents is also high.
If you get injured in such a crash, here’s what pedestrian accident lawyers can do for you:
- Assess Your Case — An attorney can review the circumstances of your crash and tell you if you have a valid case. They will be honest about what to expect and if it’s worth moving forward.
- Gather Evidence — We can investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident to determine its cause. Our lawyers can collect evidence, talk to witnesses, and piece together how the crash occurred.
- Calculate Your Losses — Our team can estimate the potential value of your claim. They will assess your losses, including your hospital bills, lost wages, and future medical expenses.
- Deal With Insurers — We can negotiate with insurance companies and challenge low payout offers.
- Stand Up for You in Court — If settlement talks don’t work out, a lawyer can file a civil case and represent you in court proceedings.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
Why Hire Our Ontario Pedestrian Accident Attorneys?
Many injured pedestrians might not understand how California’s safety laws apply to their case. Without consulting an Ontario injury law firm, they may struggle to identify whether they can pursue compensation from a reckless driver or another involved party.
Arash Law offers legal guidance to injured victims seeking clarity on their next steps. Our Ontario pedestrian accident lawyers can help you:
- Understand the Law — We’ll explain how the statute of limitations and the elements of negligence can impact your ability to file a claim. We’ll also review evidence and see how various legal principles apply to your case.
- Explore Your Legal Options — We can discuss your available avenues for pursuing compensation. We can also help you identify who may be responsible for your accident and explain what you can do if you share some fault.
- Build a Strong Case — Our legal team works with industry experts to gather evidence. Their insights help us investigate every detail when preparing your claim.
- Handle the Legal Process — Our lawyers for pedestrian accidents in Ontario can handle the legal aspects, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
- Pursue Fair Compensation — Our goal is to help you seek a settlement that reflects the extent of your suffering and losses. Whether it’s medical bills, missed work, or lasting emotional distress, we are here to help you pursue fair compensation.
- Create a Tailored Strategy — Ontario personal injury lawyers can develop a plan tailored to your unique needs. They can guide you on whether to settle or take your case to court. They’ll present all possible options and help you make informed decisions.
Commonly Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents In Ontario, CA
As more people use scooters and walk to work or nearby restaurants, injuries involving pedestrians are becoming increasingly common.
Below, we compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about pedestrian accidents.
How Long Do I Have To File A Pedestrian Accident Claim?
If you get injured as a pedestrian in Ontario, California, the law gives you two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. Some exceptions may shorten or extend it. For example, the statute of limitations for injured minors only starts when they turn 18.
Waiting too long can harm your case. After two years, the court will likely dismiss your claim. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove what happened. Witnesses may forget details, and key evidence can get lost or damaged. People involved in the crash might even move away.
Filing your claim early can give our Ontario pedestrian accident lawyers more time to gather strong evidence and speak with witnesses. Doing so can also help your case move through the legal system more smoothly.
How Long Does It Take To Resolve A Pedestrian Accident Case?
The timeline varies by case. If your injuries are minor and the facts are clear, your case could settle in a few months. More complex cases may take a year or more to resolve. Going to trial usually adds even more time to the process.
If you’re considering taking legal action, however, you also have to consider California’s statute of limitations. It can be challenging to independently assess how long it could take to resolve your claim and whether a settlement is possible. In turn, it could be hard to tell whether you’ll still have time to file a lawsuit within the two-year deadline.
In this case, you may wish to enlist the services of our Ontario pedestrian accident lawyers. We can work diligently to advance your case and strive for a fair resolution. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process and help you understand what to expect.
What If The Driver Doesn't Have Insurance?
The law requires all drivers in California to carry auto insurance. However, not everyone complies with the rules. As a result, you might get hit by a driver who doesn’t have coverage for your damages. In these scenarios, it will be more challenging to file a claim.
That’s where having our Ontario pedestrian accident lawyers on your side can be beneficial. We can help you explore alternative avenues for seeking damages.
If your policy covers uninsured or underinsured motorists, you may submit a claim to your provider. This type of coverage can help cover your injuries and related expenses.
You also have the option to sue the at-fault driver. Even if they lack insurance, you could still hold them responsible this way.
Finally, you could potentially seek compensation from a third party. For instance, you could file a claim against a government agency that failed to fix faulty traffic lights. Ultimately, hiring a lawyer means you can explore multiple available options for your case.
I’m An Undocumented Immigrant. Do I Face Deportation If I File A Personal Injury Claim?
No. In California, your immigration status does not prevent you from filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Courts do not allow defense attorneys or insurers to use your immigration status against you during the case. That means the at-fault party’s legal team cannot investigate your legal status as part of the lawsuit. The court will also calculate compensation based on your income and living expenses in the U.S., not your country of origin.
Being an undocumented immigrant doesn’t have to keep you from asserting your rights. Speak with our Ontario pedestrian accident lawyers to explore your legal options. We represent injured individuals regardless of their immigration status, language, gender, nationality, background, or religion.
Do Lawyers Only Get Paid If They Win?
For Ontario pedestrian accident lawyers working on a contingency basis, the answer is yes. Under this arrangement, you pay no legal fees unless we win or settle your case. This payment structure allows you to seek compensation without paying your attorney up front.
Hurt in a Pedestrian Accident?
California Pedestrian Laws And Right-of-Way
Being cautious while crossing the street is essential, but simply looking both ways doesn’t automatically give pedestrians the right-of-way or protect them from fault.
While drivers must avoid hitting people, pedestrians must also follow traffic laws and cross safely.
Under the California Vehicle Code, drivers must follow these pedestrian-related rules:
- Yield to pedestrians at all intersections, including both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
- Never drive past a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk because someone may be crossing in front of it.
- Only drive on sidewalks when entering or exiting an alley or a garage.
- Do not stop in crosswalks. Doing so forces people to walk around your car, putting them at risk of injury.
Special rules apply to blind pedestrians:
- When a blind person pulls their cane inward and steps away from the curb, they are not planning to cross the street.
- Drivers must stop within five feet of the intersection to alert individuals who are blind.
- Do not give verbal instructions. Blind pedestrians rely on traffic sounds to decide when it’s safe to cross.
Both drivers and pedestrians share responsibility for road safety. Understanding and following these rules can help prevent serious crashes.
Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents
Foot-traffic injuries and fatalities happen for many reasons. Understanding what causes them can help reduce the risks of accidents.
Here are some of the common causes of pedestrian crashes:
- Drivers not yielding to people at crosswalks.
- Drivers failing to signal before turning.
- Speeding or driving too fast.
- Poorly designed roads that lack sidewalks, proper signage, or good lighting.
- Driving or walking while using a phone or eating.
- Driving or walking while intoxicated.
Some of the most common types of pedestrian accidents include:
- Backing Up — A driver may strike an individual while reversing out of a driveway or parking space.
- Multiple-Threat — A pedestrian may get hit when one car stops to let them cross, but another vehicle passes and doesn’t see them.
- Trapped Pedestrian — Someone may get stuck in the crosswalk when the signal changes, and a driver hits them while entering the intersection.
- Crosswalk — A driver may collide with a person walking on a marked crosswalk.
- Intersection — An individual can get hit by a car turning at a street corner or intersection.
These crashes can cause serious harm to pedestrians. If you get injured in one, our Ontario pedestrian accident lawyers can guide you on your next steps.
How To Establish Liability In Pedestrian Accident Cases
To establish negligence in a pedestrian accident case, you must prove four key elements.
- Duty of Care — The person or party causing harm must owe a duty of care to you. Drivers must follow traffic laws and watch for pedestrians. Property owners must keep sidewalks safe. Government agencies must maintain safe roads and signage.
- Breach of Duty — You must demonstrate how the responsible party failed to fulfill their duty. This breach could include distracted driving, failure to maintain safe road conditions, or ignoring traffic signs.
- Causation — You must establish a link between the crash and your injuries.
- Damages — You must demonstrate that the collision caused actual harm, such as injuries, medical expenses, or lost wages.
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. That means you can still pursue compensation even if you share some fault for the accident. For example, suppose you were crossing at an intersection. However, you were also listening to loud music and failed to check for oncoming cars. The court may find you partly responsible for your accident. It could then reduce your potential compensation by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
Aside from the driver and the injured victim, other parties that can also be liable include:
- Property owners who fail to maintain safe walkways.
- Government entities that fail to fix dangerous roads.
Your lawyer will also look at other factors to assess liability, including:
- The location of the crash.
- Whether the involved parties followed traffic signals.
- Lighting and visibility at the scene.
- How the driver acted before the incident.
By examining all these elements, car accident lawyers can build a strong case to help you seek fair compensation.
Evidence That Can Prove You Sustained Injuries As A Pedestrian
A vehicle can cause serious injuries when it hits you while you’re walking. To pursue compensation, you must prove how the driver caused the accident and explain how your injuries have affected your health, work, and daily life.
Working with an Ontario pedestrian accident lawyer can be beneficial. They can assist you in gathering different kinds of evidence, such as:
- Medical Records — These show the injuries you suffered, the treatment you received, and your expected recovery.
- Photos and Videos — Photographs of the scene, your injuries, or damaged property help show what happened and the severity of your damages.
- Witness Statements — Others who witnessed the crash can provide an account of what happened and support your version of events.
- Police Report — This report includes details from the responding officer, driver, and witness statements, as well as any issued citations.
- Surveillance Footage — Cameras near the crash site can prove that the driver ignored traffic signs or failed to yield the right of way.
- Accident Reconstruction — In severe cases, outside experts may recreate the scene to explain who was at fault.
- Phone Records — If the driver was not paying attention, their phone records may show that they were texting or making calls during the crash.
- Financial Records — Bills, lost wages, and other expenses show how the accident impacted you financially.
- Mental Health Records — If the crash caused anxiety, depression, or trauma, therapy notes can support a claim for emotional distress.
Potential Damages Awarded To Pedestrian Accident Victims
A pedestrian accident case may result in compensation, called damages, for both past and future costs. These payments can cover the financial and personal impact of your injuries. While money can’t undo the accident’s impact on your life, fair compensation could help you in your recovery.
Ontario pedestrian accident lawyers pursue compensation for three main types of damages:
- Economic — These damages often cover injury-related medical costs. Some examples include hospital bills, therapy sessions, surgery expenses, and chiropractic care. You can also pursue other measurable losses, such as lost income, travel expenses, and legal fees.
- Non-Economic — These intangible damages typically cover the pain and suffering caused by your injuries. They could cover physical pain, emotional stress, loss of enjoyment in life, and loss of a loved one’s care or support.
- Punitive — In rare cases, the at-fault party acts with extreme carelessness or intent to harm. As a result, courts may award punitive damages to victims. These aim to punish the wrongdoer and prevent similar behavior.
Pedestrian accidents often cause serious injuries. Even a low-speed collision can break bones and injure the head or spine. It can also damage nerves, cut or bruise the body, or cause lasting paralysis. These injuries can take a long time to heal. Some of them may lead to permanent health issues.
Some pedestrian accidents result in fatal injuries. When this happens, the victim’s family may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. It could help cover hospital bills incurred before death, funeral expenses, lost income the deceased would have earned, the care they provided at home, and the emotional impact of the loss.
People who can seek wrongful death damages include:
- The victim’s spouse or registered domestic partner.
- Children, including stepchildren or dependent minors.
- Parents, if the victim was a minor or had no children.
- Other legal heirs, when no immediate family members are available.
What To Do After A Pedestrian Accident
Your health comes first. Consult a doctor and check for injuries, even if you feel okay. Some symptoms may take a while to appear.
After addressing your immediate medical needs, you can take the following steps to protect your rights:
- Get the Police Report — Officers usually write a report at the scene. Ask them for a copy. This document can provide evidence of what happened, who was involved, and who saw the crash.
- Collect Photos and Videos — Ask a family member or someone you trust to take pictures of the scene, your injuries, and anything that shows how the crash occurred.
- Write Down Names and Numbers — Obtain the contact info of the involved parties and any witnesses.
- Check for Cameras — Stores, homes, or traffic lights nearby may have cameras that recorded the crash. Ask someone to check or request a copy of the footage.
- Call Your Insurance Company — You may get accident benefits through your auto policy. If you don’t have one, the driver’s insurance may still cover your costs.
- Avoid Posting Online — Even normal photos or updates that you post after your accident could contradict your claim. They could give insurers valid grounds to challenge it.
- Talk to a Lawyer — If you’re thinking, “I need a personal injury lawyer,” our Ontario pedestrian accident lawyers can help. We can guide you through your options and handle the legal process. Let us be your support while you recover from your accident.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Foot-traffic crashes cause many deaths, especially in California. In 2023, California reported 1,106 pedestrian fatalities, a slight decrease from the total for 2021.
Based on the report of the Governors Highway Safety Association, 35% of all pedestrian deaths during the first half of 2024 occurred in California, Florida, and Texas.
In 2005, pedestrian deaths made up 11.2% of all traffic deaths. That percentage increased to 17.9% by 2023.
These numbers indicate that, despite California’s safety laws, pedestrian crashes can still occur. If you sustained injuries in one, you can call our Ontario pedestrian accident lawyers for help.
Consult Our Ontario Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
Getting medical care quickly after a crash is vital for both your health and your legal case. We can connect you with doctors who can address your injuries.
Whether you need a lawyer for a DUI, Uber, truck, workplace injury, personal injury, or car accident, Arash Law has a team of dedicated attorneys ready to advocate for your legal interests.
Call us at (888) 488-1391 or fill out our contact form for a free case review. Our pedestrian accident lawyers serving Ontario can assess your case and explain your potential legal options.
We also offer our services to surrounding communities, including Fontana, Hesperia, Redlands, Apple Valley, Rialto, and Rancho Cucamonga, as well as Riverside, Los Angeles, Kern, and the rest of California.
