The Lathrop personal injury lawyers at Maison Law are here to represent victims of all pedestrian accidents in Lathrop. If you or a family member sustained injuries because of another person’s negligence that caused a pedestrian accident, reach out to Maison Law today to schedule a free consultation with a Lathrop pedestrian accident lawyer to review your case.
Do I Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrian accident cases can be as unique as the individuals involved in the incident. The harm caused by the incident can range from mild injuries and minimal losses to catastrophic and life-altering injuries. With this broad scope of possibilities, the best way to decide if you need a pedestrian accident lawyer is a free consultation from Maison Law if you think legal action might be required to secure compensation for your losses and expenses.
In the most basic cases, you might have suffered only bumps and bruises that require a small investment in a medical evaluation and minor treatment. This case is straightforward, and you could resolve the billing concerns with the involved insurance company. But please keep in mind that if you encounter issues in this process, the team at Maison Law is just a call away to lend a hand.
If you were less fortunate and face severe injuries, a lengthy healing and recovery process, and what is sure to be many medical bills, legal assistance could be a welcome service. While you are never legally required to have a lawyer handle your Lathrop pedestrian accident lawsuit, it can be much less stressful for you to have a legal professional handling this matter so you can focus on healing and making a full recovery. Contact our office or ask a loved one to reach out and learn more about the process. You are sure to feel more confident in this choice knowing that pedestrian accident cases handled by a Lathrop pedestrian accident lawyer will typically result in a larger settlement or compensation award for the victim than when they litigate the case on their own.
Request Your Free Consultation ASAP
At Maison Law, we are dedicated to delivering justice for all. In some instances, that means litigating a pedestrian accident lawsuit for a new client. In other cases, we provide the legal guidance and information the injury victim needs to make a well-informed choice about how to handle resolving the matter on their own. Our purpose is to share knowledge because knowledge is power. We are here to empower you and all injury victims to find the path back to the enjoyable life they had prior to their accident.
Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and gain the insight you need to move forward with the resolution that will work best for you today and in the future.
Lathrop Pedestrian Accident Case Values
Any time you are hurt, your mind is sure to zero in on two primary concerns. First, you worry about how or if you will make a complete recovery. And second, you wonder how you will navigate the financial challenges that come from medical bills, lost wages, and other money-related issues. The aspect of your Maison Law free consultation that might provide you with the most peace of mind is learning more about how the compensation value of a Lathrop pedestrian accident case is calculated. After this process, you will have a much clearer understanding of how a lawsuit can help you overcome the monetary challenges created by the incident and get your life back on track.
The process begins by compiling all of the economic and non-economic damages you have incurred because of the pedestrian accident in Lathrop. Economic damages are relatively simple to calculate as they all have a pre-determined dollar value. This category includes items like your:
- Current medical expenses related to the care of the pedestrian accident injuries you suffered
- The cost of any projected medical care needed in the future for the injuries, such as additional operations or therapy
- The cost of any counseling or therapy to treat the trauma-related injuries from the accident, like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or an inability to relax or sleep
- Fees for transportation to and from medical appointments
- Your lost income if the injuries suffered prevent you from working until you are fully healed
- Any loss of future earning capability if the injuries caused permanent disabilities or limitations that will negatively impact your earnings
The remaining group of expenses is called non-economic damages because they are less tangible and do not have a specific dollar amount attached to them. These are losses that can affect your daily life, like:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of the ability to participate in the lives of loved ones
- Loss of consortium
- Lack of enjoyment from participating in sports or exercise, hobbies, and routine daily activities
- Emotional challenges like depression, anxiety, irrational fear of being in another pedestrian accident, or always feeling worried and stressed
- Disfigurement or scarring
What is the Time Limit for a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit
The time limit imposed upon pedestrian accident victims in California to pursue legal action is typically two years from the date of the accident and the date of their injuries. This is a non-negotiable time limit. Once it has expired, the victim will lose the right to file a lawsuit related to the injuries and losses caused by that particular incident. In addition, there are very few options or exceptions that would provide added time to take legal action after the allotted two years have passed.
In cases where the liable party in a Lathrop pedestrian accident lawsuit is a government entity or agency, the time limit to take legal action is decreased to only six months from the date of the injury incident. So, if you suffered an injury because of the negligence of the City of Lathrop or San Joaquin County, or one of its employees, the time to pursue a pedestrian injury lawsuit is very limited. Keep this limitation in mind when choosing your best path to seeking compensation for your losses and expenses.
What Is a Pedestrian
The average person might say that a pedestrian is someone walking along the street or sidewalk. However, in California, the definition of a pedestrian is much more inclusive. When you consider pedestrian accidents in Lathrop, it includes any person who is:
- Walking
- Using a mobility assist device like a wheelchair or medical scooter
- A person who is essentially riding any device that the person is propelling except for a bicycle
To make this a bit clearer, there are specific items that are called out as being part of the classification for a pedestrian, including:
- Crutches
- A wheelchair
- Scooters – not the medical variety
- Skateboards
- Roller blades
- Roller skates
- Skis
Common Lathrop Pedestrian Accidents
Knowing the legal definition of a pedestrian makes it easier to understand how there can be so many different kinds of pedestrian accidents in Lathrop. Some are specific to the location, while others are focal points because of the victim’s identity. But all of these incidents can fall under Lathrop pedestrian accidents:
- Pedestrian accidents involving children
- Pedestrian accidents involving senior citizens
- Accidents involving a disabled pedestrian
- Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents
- Pedestrians involving a courier or delivery person
- Pedestrian accidents inside a crosswalk
- Pedestrian accidents outside a crosswalk
- Pedestrian accidents involving jaywalking
Frequently Asked Questions About Lathrop Pedestrian Accidents
Is a pedestrian always protected from liability in a pedestrian accident?
No, pedestrians do have a level of protection in cases involving motor vehicles. However, the pedestrian is also required to follow safety laws and use care when walking in or near vehicle traffic. The place where a pedestrian is the most protected is when they are in a crosswalk. In this area, the pedestrian always has the right of way over vehicles. Incidents that occur outside a crosswalk could open the pedestrian to a level of liability in the event of an accident.
If I share the liability for a pedestrian accident, can I still file a lawsuit?
As a comparative liability state, California does assign the blame or liability for some accidents among multiple parties. In these cases, the victim of a pedestrian accident could share the responsibility for the incident. If that is the case, the victim is still permitted to seek compensation for their damages via a pedestrian accident lawsuit. However, they can only seek compensation for the amount of the damages that is in excess of their percentage of the liability for the accident. If the victim is deemed 40% liable for the accident, they can sue the other liable party for up to 60% of their damages as a result of the pedestrian accident in Lathrop.
If I was hit while jaywalking, can I file a pedestrian accident lawsuit?
Jaywalking, or crossing traffic at any location other than a designated crosswalk, is against the law. However, that does not give drivers the right to hit a pedestrian who is jaywalking. The pedestrian can pursue legal action but should be aware that they might be deemed partially to blame for not using as much caution as they could have in choosing to cross traffic at a non-crosswalk designated part of the street.
Contact A Lathrop Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Getting hurt while you are crossing the street can be terrifying. The size, weight, and speed of a motor vehicle can cause massive damage to the human body. If you or a loved one is facing challenges because of a pedestrian accident in Lathrop, reach out to Maison Law today. Our team of pedestrian accident lawyers in Lathrop is here to provide a case evaluation at your free consultation to ensure you understand your legal options.
Should you decide that the Maison Law Lathrop pedestrian accident lawyer you meet with is a good fit to handle your case, we will take on the matter without the need for any upfront payments. Our firm works on a contingency basis so you never need to worry about legal fees when initiating your lawsuit. Our fees are incorporated into the amount of compensation sought by the case, and we are only paid once the matter is resolved. You will then have the funds needed to pay your legal expenses from the settlement or compensation you receive, ensuring you face no added monetary hardships
