Don’t Fall for These Myths Regarding Pedestrian Accidents and Injuries
When a pedestrian is involved in an accident and is injured because of a driver, the injuries may be very serious. Today, we will debunk a few myths regarding pedestrian injuries so that you don’t end up accepting a settlement that is too low.
- Myth 1: The vehicle has to make contact to get compensation. This one isn’t true at all. If you get hurt diving out of the way of a driver, you are not penalized for your quick reflexes. The driver is still on the hook for forcing you to dive and hurt yourself, and the insurance company should know this. Don’t let them cheat you.
- Myth 2: Only high-speed collisions cause serious injury. The driver is in a car, and you are not. The driver may not experience serious injuries at speeds of 5 mph, but you could have broken bones, a concussion, or other injuries. Be sure to get checked by a doctor, even if you can get up and walk away from the incident. Not all injuries are visible immediately.
- Myth 3: You can’t afford an attorney. It’s more like you can’t afford not to have one! A personal injury lawyer is the only one on your side when an accident like this occurs. The insurance company is going to want to pay out as little as possible, or nothing at all if they can get away with it.
Get the Help You Need as an Injured Pedestrian in Southern California
The personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm in San Diego can help you to maximize your settlement. Let us help you get what you deserve from a greedy insurance company. Call 619.344.0360 and start your case now.
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Why Are Pedestrian Fatalities on the Rise?
According to a 2019 Report by Smart Growth America, traffic deaths from motor vehicles are down more than 6%, despite the fact that the number of miles traveled is up over 8%. If we are driving more than ever and seeing fewer road fatalities in general, then you may be shocked to learn that the same study reveals a 35.4% increase in pedestrian fatalities between 2008 and 2017.
Why are pedestrian fatalities on the rise? The title of the study, Dangerous By Design, gives away what the researchers believe. The fact is that roads were built and designed with driving in mind, not walking. And many cities across the country have seen few programs developed to help keep pedestrians safe.
Where are the worst offenses? Of the 20 most dangerous cities for pedestrians, nine are in Florida. While there is only one city here in California, our state was the 16th most dangerous state to walk in, according to the research. From 2008-2017, California saw 7,127 pedestrian fatalities. That is nearly 2 per 100,000 people in the state.
What to Do if You Have Been Injured While Walking
While it is important to be careful when you are walking, the responsibility also lies with drivers to pay attention. If you have been injured in a traffic accident due to a negligent driver, you may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, missed workdays, and more. Call the experienced personal injury attorneys of Petrov Law Firm at 619.344.0360 to learn how we can help you to maximize your settlement in California.
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Top 10 Tips for Pedestrian Safety
Getting some exercise and walking around sunny Southern California is a great way to stay healthy, run errands, and even get to work in the morning. However, there are dangers associated with going for a walk around your neighborhood or in San Diego. Whether it is dangers from unsafe or distracted drivers or just from potential hazards on the sidewalk, here are 10 ways to protect yourself.
- Wear bright colors so that you are easily visible to drivers.
- If you walk at night, be sure to wear something reflective, even if it just on your shoes.
- Look both ways before crossing an intersection, even though you have the crossing light.
- Don’t assume a driver sees you. Always try to make eye contact.
- Don’t walk with headphones in. Your ears can help keep you safe as much as your eyes can.
- Always cross at designated areas and stay in the crosswalk.
- Cross with a group if you can. This will increase visibility to drivers.
- Walk on the sidewalk if there is one. If not, always walk against traffic so you can see what is coming toward you.
- Avoid using mobile devices while walking. Such a distraction could cause you to step in front of a car or trip on a hazard on the sidewalk.
- Don’t drink and walk. If you had one too many, call a cab.
Personal Injury Lawyers for Southern California Pedestrians
If you have been injured in an accident as a pedestrian, contact the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm. We can help you to recover medical expenses, lost wages, and other compensation that you are due for your losses. Call us today at 619-344-0360 to get started.
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Pedestrian Accidents Are Common in Chula Vista, CA
In 2014, there were only 15 road traffic accident fatalities in the city of Chula Vista, California. Unfortunately, 9 of these involved pedestrians. That is an incredibly high rate. In fact, it was about 30% higher than the California average for that year.
Sometimes, just going for a walk can be a dangerous experience. This is especially true if someone on the road is driving under the influence of alcohol. Going back to the 2014 statistics again, 6 of the 15 fatal accidents that year were alcohol related.
If you or a loved one have been struck by a vehicle and injured while walking, can you receive any compensation?
You Rights in a Pedestrian Accident
The driver is just about always at fault when a pedestrian is injured in an accident. This means that injured pedestrians are likely due compensation for medical bills, missed work, pain and suffering, and more.
Sadly, a pedestrian may not survive an accident with a moving vehicle. If you have lost a loved one in such a tragic manner, you may be entitled to damages due to what is legally referred to as wrongful death.
The compassionate lawyers at the Petrov Law Firm want to help you get what you deserve. That is why we offer free consultations for those who believe they have a wrongful death case. Contact us today at 619-344-0360. We can help you to obtain the damages you are entitled to as the grieving victim in a wrongful death case.
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Part 1: Car vs. Jaywalker – I Just Hit A Pedestrian!
You were driving, and you hit a pedestrian. The pedestrian was jaywalking, but you don’t know how fast you were going. The police came and asked lots of questions. The pedestrian was taken away by an ambulance, and you were left on the side of the road feeling very guilty and holding a pile of papers.
Now what?
The first thing to do is call a lawyer. While you may not have been charged with a crime (like driving drunk), you may be assigned blame for the accident. To make it more complicated, the police and the insurance companies may assign blame differently.
Blame is particularly important because, depending on the injuries, you could see your home, your savings, and your future earnings taken away if you don’t carry enough insurance. (Don’t be fooled by thinking that because you have “full coverage” so are totally protected.)
The insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to save them money on settlements. The pedestrian you hit will likely call a lawyer as soon as he can pick up a phone. The US legal system is fair, but complicated. Unless you have a law degree (and even if you do), you need a lawyer to ensure your rights (and assets) are protected.
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