Riverside County Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
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Insurance Takes From The Injured. Our Riverside County Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Give.
Pedestrian accidents can happen in a heartbeat and will often leave catastrophic consequences for the victims. If you were injured in an accident while walking, jogging, or running in the streets of Riverside County, our pedestrian accident lawyers can help. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 today for a free case review.
Riverside County is in Southern California, and the city of Riverside is the county seat. According to the 2020 United States Census Bureau, Riverside County is home to 2,418,185 million people. It is the fourth-largest county in California and the tenth-largest county in the United States.
Riverside County is a huge tourist destination. From the wineries in Temecula to Coachella Valley, Riverside welcomes millions of tourists. Unfortunately, with so much traffic through the county, the more potential for serious accidents.
Pedestrian accidents are far too common in Riverside County. In many cases, victims have a legal right to compensation. Large insurance companies are committed to leaving you high and dry and avoiding payment of your claim. At Arash Law, founded by Arash Khorsandi, we are committed to fighting for your legal right to maximum compensation after an accident. We want to assure you that you get what you deserve.
Contact the legal team at Arash Law today. Our attorneys, under the leadership of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have decades of experience getting our clients the money they need to recover after a pedestrian accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact us at (888) 488-1391 to speak to one of our pedestrian accident attorneys in Riverside. We are here to help!
2019: $27M confidential settlement in a case involving multiple plaintiffs.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Laws That Affect Pedestrian Safety
The best attorney to hire after a pedestrian accident is a lawyer who focuses on these types of accidents. Your attorney should consider every applicable traffic law while representing you during your case. Many laws that are applicable to pedestrian accidents involve laws that revolve around crosswalks.
Here are some laws and rules regarding crosswalks that might apply to your case:
- Starting January 1st, 2023, the Freedom to Walk Act made jaywalking legal in California.
- There are no California laws that prohibit pedestrians from using their cell phones while walking in a crosswalk.
- California law does not allow drivers to stop in the crosswalk.
- Pedestrians always have the right of way.
- A driver must yield to a pedestrian when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk. There is no exception to this rule.
- If a driver is stopped at a crosswalk to allow pedestrians to pass, no other driver can go through the crosswalk either.
- Drivers cannot cross a sidewalk unless they are leaving a parking garage or driveway.
Crosswalk Accidents in Riverside County
Crosswalk accidents are far too common in Riverside County. While it is true that using the crosswalk is the safest option for pedestrians to travel, that does not guarantee that pedestrians will not get into accidents on the crosswalk. It is best that pedestrians assume that drivers will not automatically stop their vehicles even if they are standing in the crosswalk.
Crosswalk accidents still happen even if there are lights that indicate when pedestrians should cross the street. Seniors may be especially vulnerable to these accidents since they may remain in the crosswalk due to moving slower than younger people. Many pedestrians get hit by cars while walking in the crosswalk because they are only about one-half or three-fourths of the way across the crosswalk when the indicator light changes.
Pedestrians should also watch out for speeding drivers, even if the pedestrian is using the crosswalk. Speeding vehicles take much longer to come to a complete stop than drivers who operate their vehicles at the posted speed limit. Car accidents with speeding drivers are usually much more severe than typical crashes.
Common Causes of Riverside County Pedestrian Accidents
According to data published by the California Office of Traffic Safety, the number of pedestrian accidents across the state has significantly increased. Over the past several years, the number of Californian pedestrians who were killed in accidents has increased by more than 25%. California has the highest rate of fatal pedestrian accidents than any other state in the country.
Both drivers and pedestrians play a role in keeping pedestrian travelers safe. Staying aware of your surroundings helps everyone avoid dangerous pedestrian situations.
Here are some of the most common reasons that pedestrians get into accidents:
Poor Visibility
Sometimes, pedestrian accidents happen simply because the driver did not see the pedestrian. This can often happen when the victim is a small child or when the driver is backing up.
Some practical ways that pedestrians can do to help keep themselves safe include the following:
- Be careful if you are walking during bad weather conditions.
- Wear reflective or bright clothing when you walk at night.
- Do not stand or walk in a driver’s blind spot.
- Slow down and wait for a reversing driver to get out of the way.
- Avoid any other situation that may make you vulnerable to getting hit by a car.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a nationwide problem. Texting and driving is one of the most common types of distracted driving. California law prohibits drivers from using cell phones while they are driving. Unfortunately, drivers break the law and use their cell phones anyway. Texting and driving and other distractions can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, swerve into another lane, run a stoplight or stop sign, and hit a pedestrian.
Failure to Yield the Right of Way
Pedestrians have the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks in Riverside County. That means drivers must yield to pedestrians in traffic. However, just because drivers have a legal obligation to yield to pedestrians, that does not mean that pedestrians should assume that a vehicle is actually going to stop. Many pedestrian accidents happen at marked crosswalks. It is common for a driver who speeds through a red light without waiting for pedestrians.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common causes of traffic accidents, including pedestrian accidents. Speeding is dangerous and negligent. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is responsible for nearly 29% of all traffic deaths. Speeding can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, and, unfortunately, pedestrians can be on the receiving side of the driver’s negligence. Speeding is one of the biggest dangers to California pedestrians.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol puts everyone on the road at risk of serious injury or death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 49% of traffic accidents that end in pedestrian deaths involve alcohol. Strategic Health Alliance Pursuing Equity (SHAPE) Riverside reported that about 30.8% of traffic accidents in the county involved alcohol. Many drivers are under the age of 21.
Dangerous Riverside Intersections
There are several intersections that are more dangerous in Riverside. These intersections are the most dangerous in the state. These intersections can be found near Van Buren Boulevard in Riverside County. Van Buren is the scene of many traffic fatalities, per reports provided by the Riverside Police Department. Van Buren and Arlington Avenue have seen 186 traffic deaths over the last ten years.
In addition to Van Buren Boulevard and Arlington Avenue, pedestrians should be careful at these intersections:
- Bridge Street and Gilman Springs (Moreno Valley)
- Winchester Road and Ynez Road (Temecula)
- Magnolia Avenue and Tyler Street (Riverside)
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Every accident is different, and accident victims will suffer different injuries depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding their case. Some injuries are simple and very easy to treat, and others are life-threatening. No matter the extent of your injuries, you get them treated immediately after the accident. If you cannot drive yourself to the hospital, take an ambulance or let someone else drive you to the hospital. Remember, do not avoid getting a physical examination just because you think your injuries are not serious.
Emotional Distress
Injured pedestrians should know that they are entitled to compensation for their physical and emotional losses after an accident. Pedestrians are vulnerable to serious injuries in traffic accidents. They do not have the benefit of the covers that vehicles have. The lack of covering makes a pedestrian accident even scarier. You deserve to recover compensation for emotional injuries as well as physical injuries. After a pedestrian accident, if you have developed new symptoms of anxiety, depression, mood changes, or trouble sleeping, you should speak to a mental health professional.
Road Rash
A road rash happens when skin contacts the rough service of the road or concrete surface, like a sidewalk. Road rash victims can suffer deep abrasions that lead to extreme pain and cause reduced mobility.
Spinal cord injuries are very serious. Your spinal cord sends messages to your brain. It controls feeling, nerve endings, and movement. Any injury to your spinal cord can permanently alter your life. Some accident victims who suffer a spinal cord injury may be paralyzed after the impact of the crash. There are some prominent symptoms that victims can look for if they suspect that they have suffered a spinal cord injury, including:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Loss of control of bladder and bowels.
- Trouble with mobility.
- Tingling and numbness in hands and feet.
- Terrible back pain.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are serious and life-threatening head injuries. The brain is the most important organ in the body because it controls everything, including movement and the ability to make decisions. A serious blow to the brain can mean your life will permanently change. TBI victims often suffer from lost motor skills. If you hit your head in an accident, make sure that you see a doctor to rule out the possibility of TBI.
Common signs of TBI include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Trouble sleeping
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Lost consciousness
Internal Injuries
When a pedestrian is involved in a traffic accident, there is a great possibility that the pedestrian will suffer from a serious internal injury. Many passenger vehicles weigh over 2,000 pounds, so the force of the impact of the crash can cause serious internal injuries. Accident victims should always see a medical professional for an examination to ensure that they are not suffering from an internal injury. Symptoms of potential internal injuries to watch out for include:
- Lost consciousness
- Weakness
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Severe abdominal pain
- Nausea
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
Make sure that you are careful about the steps you take after an accident. The first steps that you take after a pedestrian accident are critical to the success of your claim. Consider taking the following steps after a pedestrian accident:
Call 911
You need to call first responders after a car accident. Getting police officers at the accident scene will help ensure that physical evidence from the accident is preserved and that an accident report is filed. Insurance companies never start a claim or investigation without an accident report. Paramedics will take injured people to the hospital. You need a medical evaluation if you have been in an accident, even if you do not think that your injuries are serious. Some injuries do not present symptoms for after hours or even days after the accident.
Start Collecting Evidence
Start collecting evidence as soon as possible after an accident. If you can, take pictures and videos of the scene. Capture a photo of the license plate and the vehicle that hit you. Take note of traffic signs and weather conditions.
Speak to the driver, their passengers, and any other eyewitnesses to the accident. Collect the driver’s insurance company and get everyone’s contact information. Do not offer an apology for the accident. An apology can be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
Speak to An Attorney
Speak to Riverside County pedestrian accident lawyers before making any official statements. The driver’s insurance company will contact you and will likely ask for a statement about what happened. You should never speak to an insurance company without the advice of experienced legal counsel.
Does v. California Farm (confidential) –settlement for a group of farmworkers who were killed when the car they were transported in to work flipped over in Merced County.– BENNY KHORSANDI
Potential Damages in Riverside County Pedestrian Accident
If you are in a pedestrian accident, you probably have suffered some severe injuries. Pedestrians are in the most vulnerable position when traffic accidents happen. While no two cases are the same, there are some similarities that can help your lawyer estimate what damages you may be entitled to after an accident. No reputable Riverside County pedestrian accident attorneys will guarantee or make a promise that they can collect a set amount of damages for you, but your injuries can help them estimate the final amount of compensation you might receive.
There are two major categories of damages that accident plaintiffs are generally fighting for after an injury. Damages are usually either economic damages or noneconomic damages.
Economic damage includes the tangible losses a victim suffers after an accident. This damage is concrete, and the total value can easily be calculated. On the other hand, non-economic damages are less easily determined. Experienced Riverside County pedestrian accident attorneys can help you understand the extent of your losses and the availability of compensation.
Examples of typical damages our lawyers fight for in Riverside County pedestrian accidents include the following:
Economic Damages
Again, economic damages include tangible losses. These include:
Long-Term and Rehabilitative Care
Some pedestrian accident injuries require the victim to undergo long-term care to be completely treated. Some accident victims must learn to live with a permanent disability after an accident. If you have suffered an injury that requires long-term or rehabilitative care, you need an attorney to help you get the full and fair compensation that you deserve.
Current and Future Medical Expenses
Injured pedestrians are entitled to recover the cost of their accident-related medical expenses. Any injured pedestrian can recover for the cost of medical care that they received to treat their injuries. If the pedestrian is required to receive long-term or ongoing medical care, they are entitled to those costs, too.
Current and Future Lost Wages
Some injuries are so severe that they prevent victims from working. In some cases, victims must miss work for a short period of time; in others, victims can never work again. Whether you miss a few days of work or you are permanently disabled and unable to return to work after the accident, you are entitled to recover compensation for your damages.
Loss of Earning Potential
Pedestrian accident victims are entitled to recover for their lost earning capacity or lost earning potential. Loss of earning capacity is the inability to return to the same or similar work or the inability to work at the same rate as the victim could before the accident. Qualified Riverside County pedestrian accident attorneys can help you understand your right to recover for lost earning capacity and help you determine how much money you are entitled to recover in compensation.
The Cost of Home or Vehicle Modifications
If your injuries require modifications to your home or vehicle, you can recover the cost of the modification as a part of your settlement. The cost of modifications is usually a part of compensation for pedestrian accident victims who are permanently disabled after an accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include the value of intangible accident-related damages. One of the most notable examples of non-economic damage is pain and suffering. Pain and suffering refer to the emotional and physical torture the pedestrian accident victim suffered because of the accident. To prove pain and suffering, the victim might be required to show proof for the following types of losses:
- Physical scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain from physical accident-related injuries
- Anxiety
- Emotional distress
- Grief
- Mental anguish and pain
The examples of economic and non-economic damage are not exhaustive. Your attorney will listen to your story to gain an understanding of the facts surrounding your case to determine your ability to collect compensation for your accident-related losses. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident while walking, running, or jogging, contact our Riverside County pedestrian accident lawyers to learn more about your options for monetary damages.
How Can Pedestrian Accidents Be Prevented?
Accident prevention is the best way to keep every traveler safe across Riverside County, California. Pedestrians especially should be aware of their surroundings. These small safety tips can improve pedestrian safety:
- Never walk if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 47 percent of reported traffic accidents were caused by drunk drivers and involved pedestrian travelers.
- Do not walk in poorly lit areas at night-time.
- Always use the sidewalk. Walking on the road can easily lead to an avoidable accident. If there is no sidewalk, then remain on the shoulder of the road and walk with the traffic.
- Only use the designated crosswalks.
- If you walk at night, wear reflective or bright clothing.
- Lower the volume in your earbuds or headphones, or opt to use a single earbud.
- Avoid looking at your cell phone.
Riverside County Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Riverside County, Coachella Valley, and Palm Springs are among the safest and the most dangerous cities for pedestrian accidents throughout the state. Per the most recent statistics:
- Based on the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Crash Rankings Results in 2020, there were 473 pedestrians who were injured or killed in traffic accidents in Riverside County.
- Pedestrian fatalities in Coachella Valley decreased slightly compared to the previous year, but traffic fatalities increased by 28%. With 21 traffic fatalities and 3 more in North Palm Springs, Palm Springs was the valley’s deadliest city to drive in last year.
- In 2020, COVID did not slow down the number of pedestrian accidents. Twenty-five pedestrians were killed in accidents, making 2020 the second-deadliest year for pedestrian accidents in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you leave your house, whether to run errands or just get some fresh air, you expect to return home safely. Despite that reasonable expectation, pedestrians are often involved in serious accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a Riverside County pedestrian accident, you need lawyers to help you recover full and fair compensation. Contact an experienced legal team to recoup your losses after an accident and face the complex legal process that takes advantage of many unrepresented traffic accident victims.
The following are some of the most common questions that pedestrian accident victims have as they begin their pursuit of compensation.
What Is A Pedestrian Accident?
A pedestrian accident is a traffic crash that involves at least one driver and one pedestrian. These accidents can happen anywhere that pedestrians travel. Tens of thousands of pedestrians are killed in traffic accidents every year. The risk of death and serious injuries are common in pedestrian accidents.
What If I Am An Undocumented Immigrant?
You can pursue compensation for your injuries after a pedestrian accident in Riverside County, regardless of your citizenship status. California law prohibits insurance companies and defense lawyers from commenting on your immigration status while your civil lawsuit is pending. You can financially recover if you are injured despite your citizenship status.
Contact Riverside County attorneys who specialize in pedestrian accidents to create a legal team that can address your personal accident claim while protecting you from potential attacks from insurance companies and defense attorneys who are looking to shut your claim down for any reason available.
Should I Accept A Quick Settlement Offer?
It is tempting to settle for the first offer provided by the insurance company. Accidents are stressful, and most victims want to get their lives back to normal, so accepting a quick settlement offer seems like the best way to accomplish that goal. However, most initial settlement offers from the insurance company do not cover all the victim’s losses.
The full extent of your injuries may be unknown until weeks or months after the initial accident. If you accept a settlement offer before your injuries are completely known, you risk not being fully compensated. Once a settlement offer is accepted, it cannot be changed. You get one bite at the apple, so patience will help you get the most out of a settlement agreement.
Pedestrian lawyers in Riverside County can help you understand and recognize a good settlement offer. Be sure to retain legal counsel before you make any final decisions about your settlement arrangements.
What Happens If The Other Driver Did Not Have Insurance?
California ranks among the states with the highest numbers of uninsured drivers. Despite there being minimum insurance coverage requirements, it is possible that you will encounter a driver who does not have auto insurance. When that happens, you might be able to rely on your uninsured or underinsured insurance coverage. These coverages are optional in California. You can opt to have uninsured and underinsured insurance coverage to protect yourself from drivers who do not have coverage.
Accessing your uninsured insurance or underinsured insurance coverage involves filing a claim against your insurance company. It is wise to have a lawyer help you file your claim.
How Do I Prove Negligence?
To recover for your losses after a pedestrian accident, you must prove that the driver was negligent. Every traffic crash lawsuit is essentially a negligence case. Your pedestrian accident lawyers in Riverside County will do everything possible to prove that the driver was negligent and, therefore, at fault so you can recover for your losses.
There are four elements that every negligence accident plaintiff must prove to win their lawsuit. The elements of negligence are duty, breach, cause, and damages.
The pedestrian must prove that the driver owed them a duty. Every driver has a duty to operate their vehicle safely. An example of a duty includes the obligation to refrain from driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If the driver fails to fulfill their duty to the driver, they have breached their duty of care. An example of a driver breaching their duty of care is running a red light.
The pedestrian must prove that the driver caused the accident and their injuries. Insurance companies will work hard to disprove your claim that their insured caused the accident.
Lastly, the pedestrian must prove that they suffered accident-related injuries, damage, or other losses. It makes sense that if there are no losses from the accident, the pedestrian cannot recover anything from the driver.
Each of these elements must be proven. Your pedestrian accident lawyers in Riverside County can help you prove your case and financially recover from your injuries.
What If I Cannot Afford An Attorney?
Many accident victims choose not to pursue financial recovery after an accident because they do not think that they can afford to hire an attorney. Fortunately, our Riverside County pedestrian accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee means that you do not pay the attorney unless the case ends in financial recovery in your favor.
Call Us Today To Speak With Trusted Riverside Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Arash Law is a full-service law firm serving accident victims throughout Southern California. The legal team at Arash Law, under the leadership of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., is ready to go to bat for you after a pedestrian accident.
As our client, you can count on us to protect your legal rights. We have everything that you need to collect the evidence that will help you win your case. Do not worry about insurance companies who will try to bully you into accepting a lowball settlement offer. We are here to prevent that.
The attorneys at Arash Law have decades of experience helping our clients get what they deserve. Our team has won record-breaking settlements and verdicts. Don’t delay; call us today at (888) 488-1391 or chat with us online to schedule a free consultation.
In addition to Riverside County, we serve the surrounding areas and zip codes, including Corona, Redlands, Norco, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Rialto, Fontana, Loma Linda, Mira Loma, Colton, Glen Avon, Bloomington, Pedley, Grand Terrace, Rubidoux, 92522, 92521, 92517, 92516, 92514, 92513, 92508, 92507, 92506, 92505, 92504, 92503, 92502, and 92501.
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