Going for regular walks has been proven to offer a number of physical and psychological benefits, including strengthening bones and muscles, improving mood, and improving balance and coordination. Unfortunately, pedestrians in Long Beach must share the road with motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles, all of which have the potential to cause them serious harm if they fail to observe the traffic laws they are legally obligated to abide by. Pedestrians injured in accidents with motor vehicles often suffer devastating injuries that may require hospitalization and ongoing rehabilitation, which can be physically, emotionally and financially draining. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Long Beach, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, emotional trauma and other damages.
Affordable Long Beach Pedestrian Accident Attorney
In the aftermath of a pedestrian accident, focusing on your recovery should be your main priority, but there are also complex legal issues that must be handled in a timely manner. Dealing with your insurance company – or the other person’s – can also be complicated, overwhelming and emotionally taxing, especially when the claims adjuster tries to get you to accept a low-ball offer. That’s where an experienced Long Beach personal injury attorney comes in. When retaining the services of a pedestrian accident attorney, timing is everything. There is a statute of limitations on pedestrian accident injuries and if you wait too long to file a claim you could lose your ability to recover monetary damages. Our attorneys at DAG Law Firm are committed to protecting the rights of pedestrian accident victims in Long Beach and will help you seek the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages and other damages.
Injuries Resulting from a Long Beach Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accidents are a major problem in California and across the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2013 alone, more than 4,700 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the U.S., or one pedestrian every two hours. And that number continues to rise, despite efforts to improve pedestrian safety. Between 2014 and 2015, pedestrian fatalities increased by 466, a 9.5% increase from one year to the next, and the number of injuries increased by 5,000, a 7.7% increase. At 5,376, the 2015 pedestrian fatality count was the highest number since 1996, and in 2016 that number rose even higher, with more than 6,000 pedestrians killed in traffic accidents that year. As you can imagine, an accident between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian typically results in devastating injuries for the pedestrian, and even those who survive often suffer debilitating injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Back injury
- Lacerations
- Road rash
- Head injury
- Knee and leg injuries
- Broken bones
- Shoulder and arm injuries
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Neck injury
- Fractures
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Common Causes of Long Beach Pedestrian Accidents
There are any number of factors that can contribute to a pedestrian accident in Long Beach, though the most common is simply negligence or carelessness on the part of motorists. In fact, a large percentage of pedestrian accidents take place at intersections and in crosswalks where pedestrians expect to be safe from harm, in many cases because motorists simply fail to exercise safe driving techniques behind the wheel. Some common causes of Long Beach pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while drowsy
- Reckless driving
- Texting while driving
- Running red lights
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Road rage
- Unsafe road conditions
- Tailgating
- Failing to obey traffic signals
Far too many motorists in Long Beach and throughout Southern California have inappropriately lax attitudes about the dangers of engaging in high-risk driving behaviors like driving drunk or texting while driving. According to a survey conducted by the National Safety Council, while 83% of drivers expressed concerns about road safety, 64% percent of the survey participants were comfortable with speeding, 47% admitted to regularly texting while driving, 13% believed they could safely operate a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana, and 10% said they could still drive after consuming an excessive amount of alcohol.
Determining Liability in Long Beach Pedestrian Accidents
The unfortunate truth is that nearly every traffic accident is preventable in one way or another. Determining who is responsible for your injuries following a pedestrian accident is the key to recovering the compensation you deserve, and that takes the expertise of an attorney who is intimately familiar with California law and how it applies to your case. You have the right as a pedestrian to feel safe while walking on Long Beach roadways and you have the right to hold the negligent party liable for your injuries in the event of an accident.
Establishing negligence in a Long Beach pedestrian accident involves proving that the at-fault driver owed a legal duty to you, the pedestrian, that the driver breached that legal duty, and that this breach caused your injuries. In some cases, the automobile manufacturer or auto parts manufacturer may be held liable for a pedestrian accident if a defective automobile component caused the accident. The city of Long Beach may also be held liable for your injuries if, for example, the roadway where the accident occurred was improperly maintained.
Seeking Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Injuries
In a 2011 study by Walk Score, Long Beach was ranked as the 11th most walkable of the 50 largest cities in the United States. Unfortunately, with careless drivers on the road, pedestrians in Long Beach are at risk for injury or death every time they go for a walk, which isn’t fair or reasonable. The treatment associated with pedestrian accident injuries can be expensive, and if your injuries prevent you from returning to work, these costly medical bills may be compounded by a loss of income, a significant financial burden for many families. Even if you are found to be partially at fault in the pedestrian accident, a situation known as comparative fault or contributory negligence, you can still recover compensation for your injuries from the other at-fault party. The amount they are expected to pay will simply be calculated based on their percentage of fault.
Free Pedestrian Accident Consultation in Long Beach
Approximately 65,000 pedestrians are injured every year in motor vehicle-related accidents across the United States. California traffic laws were put in place to protect the safety of not only motorists, but cyclists and pedestrians as well, and if everyone obeyed these laws, Long Beach roadways would be considerably safer. Unfortunately, not everyone adheres to these traffic laws, and when this willful disregard for safety causes a pedestrian accident, the at-fault party should be held responsible for the resulting damages. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Long Beach, don’t hesitate to seek legal guidance from an experienced personal injury attorney. With a knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyer on your side, you can ensure that your legal rights are protected and recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical expenses and other losses. Contact our lawyers at DAG Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
