Long Beach Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Long Beach is one of the most dangerous cities in California for pedestrians. There are hazards as soon as someone leaves their home, with aggressive or careless drivers among the most serious. At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we are committed to helping accident victims navigate the insurance claims process. If a negligent driver struck you, then you should seek compensation in a settlement. Do not let dangerous drivers get away with endangering the lives of pedestrians. Call our firm to discuss your case with a Long Beach pedestrian accident attorney.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Thousands of pedestrians are hurt in accidents every year in the Golden State. According to the California Highway Patrol:

• 1043 pedestrians were killed in the state in 2020.
• Children under age 15 made up 7% of all injured or killed pedestrians in 2020.
• Long Beach had 357 pedestrians injured or killed in 2021.
• Long Beach was one of the most dangerous cities in the state, ranking as the second most dangerous of 15 cities of similar size.

These numbers testify to the risks all pedestrians face. At our firm, you are never just a statistic. Instead, we want to hear your story of what happened and how your injuries have disrupted your life. Give us a call!

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?

Most accidents are caused by careless or reckless drivers who fail to drive safely:

• Failure to yield
• Running a red light
• Driving while texting
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Passing illegally
• Intoxicated or drugged driving
• Drowsy driving

California’s law is clear that motorists must yield when a light tells them to stop. They should also yield to a pedestrian who is already in the crosswalk if there is no light. Unfortunately, too many motorists break these rules. Maybe they were distracted and didn’t see the intersection up ahead, or they are intoxicated and have delayed reflexes.

To improve public safety, injured pedestrians should seek financial compensation. It is time to stand up and be heard when an unsafe driver sends you to the emergency room.

Comparative Negligence & Pedestrian Accidents

A pedestrian might contribute to their accident by rushing into the road or trying to cross outside the crosswalk. If so, then you could be partially to blame for what happened.

In California, any negligence chargeable to the victim will reduce his or her compensation. Helpfully, you can still sue provided you are not 100% at fault. But someone who is 75% at fault will receive 75% less in compensation. Likewise, someone who is 40% to blame will receive 40% less.

Share with your lawyer your memories of what happened. Our firm will try to gather helpful evidence to recreate the accident. We can interview witnesses and possibly search for surveillance video that recorded the crash. Many Long Beach businesses have cameras directed toward their parking lot or sidewalks for security. Often, the video catches a pedestrian collision as it happens.

Compensation for Your Accident Injuries

A pedestrian can suffer major traumatic injuries in a crash. First, there is the impact with a vehicle, which can happen at high speeds. Second, a pedestrian is usually thrown into the road or the sidewalk and can suffer an additional blow to their head or body. Many pedestrians are left with:

• Fractures
• Concussions
• Whiplash
• Spinal column injuries
• Back injuries
• Paralysis
• Internal organ injuries
• Abrasions and scarring

These injuries could take months of intense medical care to heal. The victim will also struggle with pain and emotional anguish.

California law empowers victims to seek compensation for economic losses, including property damage, income loss, and medical bills. We can also seek future economic losses, including diminished earning capacity or future medical treatment.

Our firm will also negotiate compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain, mental anguish, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. Bodily injuries radically reduce a person’s quality of life, and you deserve as much financial compensation as the defendant can pay.

Each case is judged on its own facts. Some accident victims can qualify for considerable compensation. California requires that drivers purchase liability insurance, and it will kick in to cover a pedestrian crash. However, if the driver is uninsured, then we’ll need to investigate other possible compensation.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash

Your case begins as soon as you are hit. You might be knocked unconscious and dependent on the driver or a bystander calling an ambulance. But if you remain conscious and can move, we recommend:

• Call the police to report the accident. Any collision with a pedestrian warrants a crash report, and an officer should come out to investigate.
• Speak with witnesses, if you can. They often provide crucial evidence in these cases.
• Get information from the driver who hit you. Ask for name, registration, insurance information, and driver’s license number. If the driver is uninsured, then you should tell your lawyer.
• Take photographs of anything relevant using your phone. For example, there might be skid marks on the road. If you hit something, like a fire hydrant, take a picture of that, too.
• Head to the hospital soon to get treatment for injuries. You want to show you are taking your pain seriously.

Unfortunately, some drivers flee the scene after a crash. Note anything you can about the vehicle and share those details with the police and your lawyer. The police might find the person who fled.

Speak with a Long Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrians usually have a lot of questions after a crash. Some of the most common involve whether they can sue and how much their case is worth. The law regarding pedestrian accidents is complex. Let us review the most relevant information, including any deadlines that apply to your case.

Please call our firm today, (2013) 985-1120 to schedule your free consultation with our office. We will gladly review the evidence and provide an overview of the claims process. You will never owe us legal fees unless we win your case—it’s that easy.