Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Westlake Village

California has one of the highest rates of pedestrian accidents in the country. They account for 27% of people killed in car accidents. A majority of these accidents are a result of negligence and carelessness on the part of other road users, including motorcycle and truck drivers. Oftentimes, these accidents could lead to fatal, catastrophic injuries and even death.

While being a victim of any form of motor vehicle accident can be devastating, the after-effects of these accidents usually leave victims disoriented, dealing with medical bills, and other financial and emotional losses, and trying to get their life back on track may not seem like an easy task. No matter the severity of the injuries you’ve suffered, we are here to assist you but your life back together and protect your legal rights, while you recover from your injuries.

At Bojat Law Group, we are committed to helping victims of accidents obtain the best possible outcome for their case, and hold the party responsible for their injuries accountable. Call us to arrange a free case evaluation, we are available to answer all the questions you may have.

Learn about the causes of pedestrian accidents, common injuries suffered by pedestrians in accidents, the steps to take after a pedestrian accident in Westlake village, tips to prevent pedestrian accidents, pedestrian accidents resulting in wrongful death, and why you should hire a pedestrian accident lawyer.

Causes of pedestrian accidents

The main causes of pedestrian accidents include;

Poor Visibility

Poor visibility can cause drivers to get into accidents with pedestrians. Several factors could cause poor visibility, they include;

• Pedestrians wearing dark clothing at night.
• Bad weather conditions such as storms.
• Poor headlights.

Impaired driving

Impaired driving such as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), and driving under stress and fatigue are contributing factors to pedestrian accidents. Drugs, alcohol, and stress can impair a driver’s judgment and make operating a motor vehicle difficult.

Darting into the road

This is more common in children and adolescents. Darting or running into the road, gives vehicle drivers inadequate time to react and consequently leads to a pedestrian accident.

Distractions

Distractions such as texting while driving, or texting while crossing roadways are contributing factors to pedestrian accidents.

Improperly crossing intersections and roadway

A pedestrian may try crossing the street at the last minute, just before the light changes. Alternatively, they may attempt crossing a street with oncoming traffic, or they may attempt to cross someplace other than the crosswalk. This could potentially lead to a pedestrian accident.

Failing to yield right of way

Right of way is the right to proceed before other vehicles in a roadway. Failing to yield right of way occurs when a road user commits a traffic violation by not yielding for the party to proceed, when a motorist fails to yield right of way to a pedestrian, accidents may occur.

Depending on the cause of your accident, the party at fault will be held liable for the losses you suffered due to the accident.

Common injuries suffered by pedestrians in accidents

Some of the common injuries suffered by pedestrians in accidents include;

• Broken bones and fractures
• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Loss of limbs
• Internal injuries
• Traumatic brain injury
• Paralysis
• Cognitive damage and so on.

The steps to take after a pedestrian accident in Westlake village

It may not be easy following these steps after the accident because you may not be thinking clearly. However, the steps you take after the accident can affect the outcome of your claim and the amount of compensation you receive. The following steps will help protect our right to a claim and may result in a fair compensation offer. If you can stand on your feet and are not severely injured, you should;

• Call the police immediately to the accident scene to create an accident report.
• Seek medical attention by calling 911.
• While waiting for an ambulance, gather evidence of the accident by taking photos, and videos of the accident, including license plate, insurance card, driver’s license, property damage, and the weather.
• Collect phone numbers and names of witnesses.
• Find somewhere safe from other road users.
• Contact a pedestrian accident attorney in Westlake Village.

Always ensure you seek medical attention.

Tips to prevent pedestrian accidents

Here are some useful safety tips to prevent pedestrian accidents.

• Learn useful pedestrian crossing tips and safety information.
• Teach your children to cross safely – teach your child pedestrian habits and safety tips
• Wear bright clothing at night to ensure that drivers can see you.
• As a driver, always make sure your headlight is on, in situations of poor lighting and visibility such as during storms and at night.
• Follow the rules – follow the rules of the road and traffic signs.
• Avoid distractions – don’t text while driving, or crossing the road in doing so, you are putting yourself, and other road users in danger.
• Carefully approach crosswalks – as a driver, always approach crosswalks carefully, regardless of what the traffic light says.
• Walk only on sidewalks and crosswalks.

Pedestrian accidents resulting in wrongful death

In a situation where a pedestrian accident results in wrongful death, the surviving family members and loved ones may be eligible for compensation and can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Why you should hire a pedestrian accident lawyer

Dealing with the aftermath of a pedestrian accident, while focusing on your recovery is a lot to handle. Your best chance of obtaining optimum results is through a pedestrian accident attorney. At Bojat Law Group, our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers can investigate your situation and help determine the party at fault, seek retribution, and navigate your claim process.

Contact an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer today.