Despite the COVID-19 pandemic transitioning millions of Americans to working from their homes in 2020, approximately 6,700 pedestrians still died due to car crashes throughout the year.
This represents about a 5% increase from 2019, when 6,412 pedestrians died in crashes. However, due to the decrease in driving, the pedestrian fatality rate increased by about 21%.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, approximately 893 pedestrians died on California roadways in 2018, while more than 14,000 pedestrians suffered injuries.
California sees more pedestrian fatalities than any other U.S. state.
As the size, speed, and efficiency of vehicles increases, the damage they can do to pedestrians increases as well. It is relatively easy to suffer a severe injury as a pedestrian, even if the accident itself seems minor. If you suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, you might qualify to file a claim against the at-fault driver to recover damages.
Contact or call an Orange County pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible at (949) 720-1288 for a free case review.
Common Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident
The size discrepancy between a person and a car often results in severe injuries to pedestrians.
Common injuries seen in Orange County pedestrian accidents include:
- Broken bones,
- Bruises and scrapes,
- Dislocations,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Paralysis,
- Leg injuries,
- Sprains and fractures, and
- Internal injuries.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian fatalities made up approximately 27% of the total traffic fatalities throughout California in 2019. California was the deadliest state for pedestrians in 2019, reporting 972 total fatalities.
No matter what kind of injuries you suffered, you could qualify to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver for the damages you incurred as a result of the accident. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Orange County, CA, can help determine if you are eligible to recover through a personal injury claim.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Any form of irresponsible driving can lead to a collision.
Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol,
- Reckless driving,
- Excessive speeding,
- Failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk,
- Reversing without awareness of surroundings,
- Distracted driving, and
- Lack of visibility.
The NHTSA reported that in 2019, approximately 82% of pedestrian fatalities occurred in urban areas, while only 18% occurred in rural areas. Additionally, approximately 76% of pedestrian fatalities in 2019 occurred in the dark. As you can see, driving conditions can play a big role in car accidents involving pedestrians.
What Damages Can I Seek After a Pedestrian Accident in Orange County?
If you suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, you could file a claim against the driver who hit you.
You will bear the burden of showing that the at-fault driver breached their duty to act as a reasonably prudent driver, which caused your injuries and resulted in damages. The damages aim to compensate you for the financial and non-financial losses you suffered as a result of the accident.
This might include damages for things like:
- Medical bills,
- Rehabilitation costs,
- Future medical expenses,
- Loss of future earning capacity,
- Lost wages,
- Mental anguish,
- Scarring,
- Disfigurement,
- Pain and suffering, and
- Out-of-pocket expenses.
Your Orange County pedestrian accident lawyer can assist in determining what amount of compensation you are owed. Whether you suffered minor injuries or severe injuries, a pedestrian accident attorney in Orange County can help ensure you are adequately compensated for your suffering.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
We know that the moments that follow a car accident can involve feelings of shock and disbelief. However, these moments play a critical role in your potential personal injury claim.
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident, the first thing you should worry about is getting yourself out of harm’s way. Make sure you are in a safe location where you can decide what to do next without putting yourself at risk.
Contact Authorities
Once you are in a safe place, you should contact law enforcement to report the accident. A law enforcement agent will respond and complete a report detailing information about the accident. That can include images, crash diagrams, witness statements, and other information.
The accident report can play a crucial role in your personal injury suit, so you want to make sure authorities respond to the scene and complete a report. If you do not know how to obtain a copy of your accident report, an Orange County pedestrian injury accident lawyer can assist you.
Seek Medical Attention
Your physical safety is the most important thing. After an accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you suffered serious injuries, get to the nearest emergency room right away. The medical reports generated during your visit will provide solid evidence of your injuries and some of the damages you suffered.
If you did not suffer serious injuries, you can stay at the scene to collect additional information. However, if there is even a slight chance that you are injured, getting a second opinion is never a bad idea.
Contact an Orange County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, an Orange County pedestrian accident attorney gives you the best chance of maximizing your recovery.
Attorney Mark Robinson has nearly fifty years of experience fighting for clients injured in pedestrian accidents. His knowledge and experience of this practice area can offer an invaluable advantage to your case.
Mark has a proven legal record and was awarded the California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) Award in 2021, 2018, 2010, and 1999. In 2018, he was named the Trial Lawyer of the Year by the National Trial Lawyers Association.
For help with your pedestrian injury claim, you cannot go wrong hiring a zealous and knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorney in Orange County.
Call (949) 720-1288 or contact Mark Robinson, Esq. online today for a free consultation and to learn more.