Pedestrians traveling Balboa Boulevard face a frightening journey at times. They can be asked to cross six and seven lanes of traffic before a “walk” signal flips to “don’t walk” and a rush of cars is released. And that only accounts for drivers who pay full attention to traffic lights and crosswalks.
A careless driver can cause devastating accidents that leave pedestrians to face a long and painful recovery. Those medical recoveries could also create a financial disaster for victims and their families.
When a driver is to blame for your Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident, speak with a Balboa Boulevard Pedestrian Accident Attorney about your best options for earning compensation. Reach out to Maison Law for a free consultation that comes at no obligation to you.
L.A. Pedestrian Accident Dangers on Balboa Boulevard
Balboa Boulevard carries thousands of cars north/south through neighborhoods like Encino, Van Nuys, and Granada Hills over the course of each day and night. People traveling on foot live, work, and shop all along Balboa. People who park and get out of their vehicles also instantly become pedestrians.
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable of anyone who uses the roadway. They don’t have helmets and metal walls to protect them in an impact with a 4,000lb car or a 14,000lb Amazon Van. That’s why motorists and delivery drivers legally owe pedestrians a special “duty of care.” This means drivers must always monitor for potential pedestrians and slow down in their presence to avoid an accident.
Of course, drivers can be looking at a text and easily miss someone trying to brave a crosswalk. It’s also not uncommon to see large trucks and cars speeding down Balboa Boulevard with little chance of stopping in time after they’ve missed seeing a green light turn red. The intersection of Balboa and Devonshire Street is one of the busiest spots in all of Los Angeles and vehicle accidents and pedestrian accidents are common.
In these cases and many more, pedestrians must hold car insurance companies and/or commercial truck insurance companies fully liable for a settlement check. It’s the duty of a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorney to build a strong case for clients to leave insurance providers no room to deny coverage and a fair financial settlement. In fact, a skilled attorney works to maximize the compensation available in a pedestrian injury case so that victims don’t have to worry about finances as they try to heal.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident on Balboa Boulevard
In the moments after a pedestrian accident on Balboa Boulevard, victims will find some of the most powerful evidence for their case right on the scene. There’s likely strong proof of who was at fault and there are ways to show if a driver was behaving carelessly or recklessly.
If victims are physically capable, they should get to work gathering evidence once the accident scene has been secured.
- Tell LAPD or CHP officers everything you can remember about what happened. Include if you saw the driver looking at a cellphone or speeding before the accident occurred. This information helps them build a collision report that will be evidence in your favor.
- Take photos. Document the scene, the car that hit you, and damage to windshields and mirrors as you got hit. Show any visible injuries you suffered. Also, get pictures of traffic signs and crosswalk markings.
- Get contact information from witnesses so your Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorney can contact them for testimony.
- Exchange information with the at-fault driver but don’t speculate on who was at fault and how badly you are hurt. You could be wrong on both counts. These statements and recorded statements over the phone can be twisted and used against you later.
- Get checked out by your own doctor. Follow the doctor’s instructions and recommendations.
- Keep any damaged clothing and personal items. Preserved bloody clothing. Don’t wash it. Don’t throw evidence out.
Compensation Available After a Balboa Boulevard Pedestrian Accident
Victims hurt in a Balboa Boulevard collision have up to two years from the date of the accident to file a pedestrian injury claim. Wait beyond this statute of limitations and your case will likely be rejected.
Once your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer has fully investigated your claim and prepared strong evidence, you’ll be ready to file against the at-fault driver’s insurer.
You’ll work with your attorney to submit a full list of every physical and financial damage you and your family have suffered. Everything you’ve experienced must go on this list so that insurance companies are made aware of it and can compensate you.
Damages you can receive a settlement check for include all economic damages you suffered, but also some non-economic factors:
- All medical expenses.
- Estimated costs over a lifetime if you’ve been left with a permanent physical disability.
- Physical pain and emotional trauma in the accident and during recovery.
- Compensation for a loss of enjoyment of life.
- Compensation for a loss of consortium (the loss of intimacy with a spouse).
- Travel costs getting to and from doctor’s visits and surgery consultations. These expenses may be tremendous if you are off your feet, unable to drive, and perhaps in a wheelchair or on crutches.
- Property damage.
- Past and future lost earnings.
- Wrongful death benefits. Families who have lost close relatives can file a wrongful death claim to receive support with burial expenses. They’ll also seek help with making up the income the victim can no longer provide for relatives in the years to come. A Balboa Avenue Wrongful Death Lawyer can file this claim on behalf of the family and see that they earn the most in financial support from their Los Angeles pedestrian accident wrongful death claim.
Can I Earn Injury Compensation if I Wasn’t in a Balboa Boulevard Crosswalk When I Was Hit?
Yes. Pedestrians are owed a special duty of care even if they are crossing the street where they shouldn’t be. Drivers must still monitor to spot someone on foot in the roadway and can be fully or partially liable if they strike someone.
Contact a Balboa Avenue Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
After a serious traffic accident while traveling on foot on Balboa Boulevard or in a parking lot nearby, make sure you know about every benefit available to you and your family. Insurance companies will not inform you of your rights and will attempt to cut you an insufficient settlement check.
Take advantage of a free case consultation from Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law. It’s a no-risk way to find out how to avoid the pitfalls of dealing with insurance companies after a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident. It’s critical that you stay informed so they can’t rob you of the financial support you need to make a full physical and financial recovery.
