Maison Law represents the victims of Monterey pedestrian accidents. Our personal injury lawyers demand compensation for our clients after a careless driver’s mistake leaves them with hospital bills and lost income. We provide a free, no-obligation consultation for all local injury victims. Contact us to set up a confidential case review. It’s a no-risk opportunity to find out what your injury may be worth and how to hold insurance companies fully responsible for recovery costs.
Should I Call a Lawyer After a Pedestrian Accident?
If you were hit by a car and somehow your injuries are very minor, you may not need the help of a lawyer. It’s when you suffer serious harm, like a broken bone, a deep cut, or a head injury, that you may need the protection of a Monterey Pedestrian Accident Lawyer.
When medical bills start to build, auto insurance adjusters will fight even harder to get out of having to provide support. They may say you were at fault or try to convince you to sign off on a “lowball” settlement offer that ignores many of your recovery costs. Your Maison Law attorney is a safeguard against this treatment. Your lawyer will submit all evidence to force insurers to accept responsibility and pay the maximum compensation available.
How Many Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Monterey Each Year?
California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) reports that in 2023 there were 17 pedestrian accidents involving serious injury on Monterey streets. Overall, in Monterey County, there were a shocking 121 serious pedestrian accidents with at least 6 tragic deaths recorded.
Monterey residents should be able to use sidewalks without fear as they walk to work or school or are out for some exercise. They shouldn’t have to worry about their safety when they park and dart into a supermarket. Tourists should feel safe as they wander around downtown and along the beachfront.
Unfortunately, careless drivers make walking anywhere a bit of a risk. Drivers can be focused on text messages instead of watching for those on foot in crosswalks. Motorists might be going too fast to stop when someone tries to cross a busy route like Alvarado Street.
Pedestrians struck by heavy, fast-moving vehicles may need support to pay for weeks of hospital care. They may need surgeries immediately and additional care in the years to come. A Maison Law attorney makes sure victims have the financial backing they need to pay for medical care as long as necessary to get back on their feet.
What Kinds of Things Can I Be Compensated for After a Pedestrian Accident?
Your Pedestrian Accident Lawyer would make sure that every hardship you had endured was listed on an accident claim submitted to your insurer.
This is an important step because any damage that’s left off your claim won’t factor into the amount you’ll see on a pedestrian accident settlement check.
Your lawyer will ensure that these and other hardships are considered when negotiating the size of your settlement:
- Medical expenses now and those expected in the future.
- Costs associated with a permanent physical disability. Traumatic injuries often earn a lifetime of financial assistance when you aren’t able to return to a previous job or return to your normal lifestyle.
- Support for the physical pain you endure and bouts of chronic pain.
- Support for emotional trauma suffered. Flashbacks to the day of the crash could leave you with anxiety and PTSD symptoms about getting out and walking again. A loss of enjoyment of life the things you can no longer do may cause long-term depression and require emotional therapy.
- Travel costs for making doctor’s appointments while you are unable to drive and while you are in a wheelchair or on crutches.
- Income and benefits you’ve lost from missed time at work.
- Wrongful death benefits. When a family loses a loved one in an accident, close relatives can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This lawsuit asks for help with funeral costs and leftover medical bills. This civil claim also seeks to protect the family in the future when they are without the financial support and companionship the victim would have provided.
Can I Ask for Pedestrian Accident Compensation If I’m Not in a Crosswalk When I’m Struck?
Yes. Drivers must act to protect all defenseless pedestrians even if someone on foot is jaywalking. Motorists can be found liable for any collision and would have to help the victim in recovery.
Local motorists are required by California law to show a special “duty of care” towards pedestrians no matter where they encounter them. They are required to:
- Monitor for the presence of someone on foot at all times
- Slow down when a pedestrian is near the road or in a crosswalk
- Travel at a speed that allows the driver to avoid a collision no matter the circumstances
When the driver doesn’t show this care, even when a pedestrian is crossing the street illegally, that driver can be held fully or partially responsible for the consequences.
A pedestrian accident attorney works to make sure a careless driver is assigned as much responsibility as possible if not 100% of the blame. This allows victims to seek full support to pay for hospital bills and to support their families while they miss work.
Contact a Monterey Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
California allows pedestrian accident victims and their families up to two years to file an accident claim. However, you shouldn’t delay in beginning your case. Evidence can disappear and witnesses can become hard to locate over months or years.
Contact Maison Law to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an actual Monterey Pedestrian Accident Lawyer. We want to hear what happened to you. We’re going to answer your questions and make sure you are prepared for the insurance tactics you’ll face so you don’t forfeit valuable support. You’ll know what your injury is worth before an insurance adjuster tries to convince you it’s worth nothing at all.
There’s no obligation when you take advantage of a free case review, but if you feel we can help you get the most out of your injury claim, you won’t need any upfront money. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement you receive.
