People travel Sunset Boulevard to shop the swanky stores, try fancy restaurants and clubs, and maybe even see famous faces. Many people drive this famous Los Angeles route by car or SUV, but we must all remember that when we park and get out to enjoy the sites, we all become pedestrians.
Walking any section of Sunset Boulevard puts pedestrians at risk of an accident. This is true along the boulevard’s ritzy stretches and through the hilly Brentwood and Rustic Canyon neighborhoods to the west. Drivers can be distracted by the sights, by their cellphones, or just worried about being late for work. They can take their eyes off the road and miss someone in a crosswalk to cause a devastating collision.
After getting struck by a car and suffering a serious injury, victims must take action to make sure a car insurance company accepts full responsibility for the costs of recovery.
A Free Consultation After Sunset Boulevard Pedestrian Accidents
As a victim of a Sunset Boulevard pedestrian accident, you have benefits and rights that an insurance company won’t be informing you of. You should never have to worry over your medical bills or the lost paychecks you suffer while missing work. Insurers for the drivers to blame must be held liable for every financial hardship you face.
There’s a no-risk way to find out what your case is worth and how to demand this support from an insurance adjuster. Schedule a free case consultation with Maison Law of Los Angeles. Discussing what happened with a skilled attorney will help you understand all of your options so that you can make an informed decision and secure financial support.
Pedestrian Accident Dangers on Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard carries people east/west through Los Angeles and runs through Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the Sunset Strip. It also extends west past UCLA, through the mountains, and eventually down to the coastline. Along the way, there are plenty of reasons to get out and travel Sunset Boulevard on foot.
People walk this busy route to get to class, to get to work, to do some shopping, or just to get some exercise. Those on foot should be absolutely protected when they decide to walk Sunset Boulevard. In fact, drivers have a legal duty to always monitor for pedestrians who may be crossing the road or near it.
Los Angeles motorists must identify pedestrians and slow down as much as needed to avoid a collision. This “duty of care” is required even if the pedestrian isn’t in a crosswalk. Drivers are often liable for accidents in almost any situation due to the extreme vulnerability pedestrians have when confronting traffic made up of 6,000lb vehicles.
If you are struck by a careless driver and face a difficult injury recovery, don’t just accept what the driver’s car insurance company tells you. You will likely need much more than they are offering to fully reclaim your health and your financial stability. Allow a skilled Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer to make sure you secure everything you’ll need to rebuild your life.
What To Do After A Pedestrian Accident on Sunset Boulevard
Car insurance companies don’t like to accept blame for their drivers in pedestrian accidents, because the injuries are often quite serious. Victims may face months of medical bills and physical therapy costs. An at-fault driver’s coverage should pay for every hardship. Unfortunately, insurance companies must often be forced to do the right thing.
One way to secure what is fair for victims and their families is to provide an insurance adjuster with so much strong evidence that they can’t deny liability. Your Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney will be fully investigating your accident and gathering evidence to submit with your injury claim. However, the strongest evidence will be found on the scene in the moments after a Los Angeles pedestrian collision. This evidence will also be cleared away once you leave the scene.
So, if you are physically able, try to secure a few details on the scene to ensure you get the most out of your Sunset Boulevard pedestrian accident injury settlement:
- Dial 911 and ask for an ambulance if you are injured. Let EMTs examine every pain you have and don’t hesitate to take a ride to the emergency room if necessary. If you must leave the scene, ask someone with you or a helpful witness to gather what evidence they can.
- Tell responding LAPD officers everything you remember about how the accident unfolded. Note if you saw the driver behaving recklessly or staring at a cellphone. Officers will file a collision report your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will secure as evidence later.
- Take pictures. Show the damage to the vehicle, including dents in hoods, broken glass, and missing mirrors. Show any visible injuries you suffered and damage to personal property. Take pictures of crosswalks and traffic signs around the area.
- Get driver’s license and insurance information from the motorist involved. Don’t talk about who was at fault or how badly you are hurt with the at-fault driver. These comments can be twisted later by an insurance adjuster to hurt your case.
- Get contact information from witnesses.
- Jot down the addresses of any homes or businesses that may have had security cameras rolling as your accident occurred.
- Get checked out by your physician in the days that follow. Get a full exam. The shock of your accident might mask pain from any injury you didn’t realize you had until a day or two later. Follow all of your doctor’s recommendations including attending physical therapy and seeing specialists.
- Save evidence. Don’t wash or throw out your damaged clothing or shoes.
How long do I have to file a claim after a Sunset Boulevard Pedestrian Accident?
You have two years to file an accident injury claim in California. Waiting this long is not the best choice. The sooner you act and partner with a Sunset Boulevard pedestrian accident lawyer, the easier it will be to secure evidence and keep track of witnesses. Starting sooner may also earn you the support you and your family need faster.
Once all evidence available has been secured, your personal injury attorney will be filing your claim. The goal will be to earn pedestrian accident compensation to pay for all hospital bills and rehabilitation costs. That includes the medical costs expected in the future. Lost income while you miss work should also be factored into a settlement check. Your attorney would also fight to get additional support for the pain you’ve suffered and the emotional trauma you’ve been left with.
Families who suffer the ultimate loss and lose a loved one in a Sunset Boulevard pedestrian accident must consider filing a wrongful death claim. This claim asks an insurance company for help with funeral costs. It also seeks to replace the care and financial support the deceased would have provided the family in the future.
Contact a Sunset Boulevard Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
After a serious pedestrian accident while on foot along Sunset Boulevard, make sure you are aware of every benefit available to you and your family. Insurance companies for reckless drivers aren’t required to fill you in on this valuable assistance.
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 adjusters 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 heal and get back on your feet again.
