Torrance Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Walking is a great exercise for people of any age. It can also be an effective, low-cost method of transportation! We see people walking in Torrance every day to work, school, or to run errands.

Sadly, pedestrians in Torrance often suffer major injuries when careless drivers crash into them. These can be horrifying accidents. Most of our clients deal with significant injuries, and hundreds of California pedestrians are killed in collisions each year. Contact El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers after you or a loved one is hurt in one of these incidents. We can discuss what you remember and other critical information in a free consultation.

Who Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents?

When a car hits a pedestrian, fault usually lies with either the motorist or the pedestrian. Our job as Torrance pedestrian accident attorneys is to view the evidence and make a case that our client is not at fault.

Motorists hit pedestrians for many reasons:

• Speeding
• Illegal passing
• Failing to pay attention
• Driving while texting
• Drugged or drunk driving
• Losing control of their vehicle

Pedestrians can also contribute to wrecks. A pedestrian might:

• Dart directly in front of a car
• Cross the street when told not to
• Jaywalk
• Walk or stand in the road

Assigning Fault

California is a comparative negligence state. A victim can sue so long as they are less than 100% at fault. However, their compensation is reduced in direct proportion to their share of fault.

Imagine a distracted driver fails to stop, but a pedestrian crosses when the light says, “Don’t Walk.” Both are to blame when they collide because neither one followed the law. The driver should have stopped at a red light, and the pedestrian should have waited until the signal tells them to walk.

If the pedestrian is 50% to blame for an accident, their compensation is cut in half. Their case might be worth $80,000, but they receive only $40,000 after deducting their share of fault. That is the effect of comparative negligence rules.

A lot is riding on how fault gets dished out. Our objective is to minimize our client’s negligence by fully grasping all the relevant evidence. We will negotiate comparative negligence as part of a settlement, but a jury will assign fault if we end up in court.

Pedestrian Injuries

Unlike motorists protected by a car, pedestrians are completely exposed. They can suffer major injuries in a collision:

• Leg or pelvic fractures
• Concussions
• Neck injuries, including whiplash
• Herniated discs
• Abrasions or road rash
• Skull fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Facial injuries
• Crush injuries

Many injuries carry complications. Road rash could become infected and require hospitalization if you don’t receive antibiotics in time. A pelvic fracture could leave you immobilized.

We also need to note pedestrian fatalities. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 48 pedestrians were injured or killed in 2021. If you lost a beloved family member in a pedestrian accident, we can help.

How Much is Your Claim Worth?

Our Torrance pedestrian accident attorneys dedicate all resources to winning your case. We can gather all evidence to prove fault and negotiate a fair settlement to cover:

• Your past and future medical bills. You might need x-rays, surgery, doctor’s visits, prescription painkillers, and physical therapy. Many pedestrian accident victims have lifelong disabilities which could require care.
• Pain and suffering. Pedestrians are immobilized with pain and suffer a reduced quality of life. It’s hard to put a price tag on this pain, but California law empowers victims to seek financial compensation for these losses.
• Any lost income or wages. These injuries often force people to stay home, so they cannot work for weeks or even months. The at-fault driver should pay for any loss of income.

Most car insurance covers pedestrian accidents. A driver’s liability coverage will kick in. We can also see if other insurance is available, such as an umbrella policy. Our goal is to hold the driver accountable for hurting you.

If a loved one died, we might represent the family in a wrongful death claim and survival action. Let us explain the compensation we can seek by calling (424) 484-2363.

Our Role as Your Attorney

An attorney plays a critical role in your case:

1.       Evidence gathering. What happened? We answer that question by talking to witnesses, searching for surveillance or dashcam video, and reviewing your medical records. If you think a driver was distracted, we might ask for copies of their cell phone records to confirm they were on the phone when they should have focused on driving.

2.       Case analysis. We understand California’s pedestrian laws and can quickly identify who is at fault for most accidents. We also know how to properly value accidents in monetary terms. Too many people settle for small settlements. Let us calculate what your injuries are worth.

3.       Communication. Insurance companies usually swamp accident victims with paperwork and requests for information. We’ll handle all of this for you.

4.       Advocacy. Our firm usually begins negotiations by sending a demand to the driver or their insurer. We hold firm that you are not to blame for the crash, and we demand the other side make a fair settlement offer.

5.       Litigation. We can usually settle a claim with a defendant—in fact, more than 90% of our cases are settled. But we might protect your rights by filing a lawsuit in court. California gives pedestrians 2 years to sue. If you miss the deadline, you’ll probably lose your case.

Our firm has decades of combined experience. This experience lets us provide effective representation without unnecessary hassle. We also never charge a fee unless we win your case.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation for Free

El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers is a leading law firm in Torrance, vindicating the rights of accident victims. We have negotiated hundreds of settlements over the years and have an impressive track record. Let us explain how we can help your case. Call (424) 484-2363 today.