Pedestrians are on sidewalks in and around Glendale 24 hours a day. Unfortunately, many drivers are in a hurry and inattentive, and they fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, even when they know that they should. Then, there are drivers who are intoxicated, high, or both. Some of them will hit a pedestrian and not even realize it.
At Maison Law, we protect and assert the rights of pedestrian accident victims who were injured by careless and negligent drivers.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Glendale
Pivotal to any pedestrian accident is whether he or she had the right-of-way. CVC section 21950(a) states the general right-of-way rule as follows: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection…”
Even when in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, a pedestrian must still use due care and caution for their own personal safety. Aside from intersection pedestrian accidents, here are some other common circumstances when a pedestrian has the right-of-way when crossing a roadway:
- When a pedestrian is crossing a street with a green light or a pedestrian walk signal.
- When a driver is entering or leaving a private drive, road or alley.
- If a driver enters an intersection with a flashing yellow light.
- If a driver enters a marked or unmarked crosswalk before a light has changed.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
In the event of an accident, pedestrians are fully exposed. As they have no protection, they’re no match for a motor vehicle weighing 2,500 pounds or more. A pedestrian is likely to suffer two impacts. The first impact will be from the vehicle that hits the pedestrian, and the second impact is from the unforgiving pavement. In some cases, a third impact occurs when the pedestrian is thrown into a lane of oncoming traffic. Here are some common pedestrian accident injuries:
- Skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
- Multiple other fractures, especially to the legs and hips.
- Injuries to spinal vertebrae and spinal discs and nerves.
- Internal organ damage.
- Joint damage, especially to the knees and ankles.
- Contusions and abrasions with dangerous infections.
Contact a Glendale Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Even if you were the victim of a hit-and-run pedestrian accident, you should contact us at Maison Law to discuss your accident and injuries. Of course, that consultation will be at no cost at all you.
Working with Maison Law provides you with the requisite legal skills and resources that you need to confront an opposing insurance company head-on. During the initial consultation, we will want to know what happened, how it happened and how you and your family have been affected after being hit. After that, we’ll advise you of the full range of your legal options.
If we’re retained to represent you, we’ll begin building your case immediately. Our goal will be to maximize any settlement or award that you might receive. Contact Maison Law right away after being injured in any pedestrian accident in or around Glendale.
