Maison Law represents pedestrian accident victims throughout California. These accidents frequently happen in high traffic areas, even in places that aren’t necessarily in the roadway. And one of the most common places that meets that description is at one of the many fast food restaurants there are in the state. If you or a loved one have been injured in such an accident, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Should You Hire a Lawyer?
One of the first questions you probably have after you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident is whether or not you should even hire a lawyer. If your injuries are minor, legal action may not be necessary. But even if you think you can handle it alone, consider working with our experienced team. Here’s why:
- Talking with insurance companies – Our team can talk to insurance companies to make sure you get a fair settlement.
- Legal knowledge – We understand personal injury laws in California and can use this to support your claim.
- Protecting your rights – We’ll defend your rights against any unfair tactics from the insurance company.
- Making the process easier – We handle paperwork and communication, allowing you to focus on recovery.
Remember, every case is different, and our team can provide personalized advice. Plus, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis, so there’s no upfront cost for you.
Who’s Responsible For a Pedestrian Accident at a Fast Food Restaurant?
Just because the accident happens at a fast food restaurant doesn’t necessarily change the claims process. In fact, the process is pretty much the same regardless of where the accident happens. The first step, then, is figuring out who’s responsible. And like similar accidents, this is going to fall on whoever was negligent. In this context, this means:
- Failed in their duty to act in a reasonable way, thus causing the accident and your injuries.
In most cases where an accident happens at a fast food restaurant, most of the liability is going to go to the driver that hit you. However, this depends on the circumstances. So, others might be involved and could share liability, like:
- Whoever owns or runs the fast food chain. This could either be the company itself or, if the restaurant is a franchisee, it would fall on the owner or management of that company.
- Local or state governments, if the accident happens because of poor maintenance or road markings
- Other pedestrians
- Maintenance crews
Where do pedestrian accidents happen at a fast food restaurant?
One of the things that make these accidents so difficult is that they can happen at any fast food restaurant in California. Virtually every fast food chain has their own individual layout inside, but outside (where pedestrian accidents happen), they look fairly similar across the board.
No matter what chain it is, a pedestrian accident is more likely to happen at:
- Parking lots
- Drive thru lanes
- Sidewalks or walkways
- Entry and exit doors
Unfortunately, when you’re a pedestrian, you don’t have much control over the circumstances that lead to these accidents. That said, if you stay alert in these areas and make sure drivers can see you, you can potentially avoid an accident.
What Damages Can You Get in a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Once you’re in a pedestrian accident at a fast food restaurant, your legal options for recovering damages are the same as any other accident: filing an insurance claim outside of court or filing a personal injury lawsuit inside the court system.
Either option is available to you, regardless of who’s at fault or which fast food chain the accident happens at. Our experienced team can help you with filing your claim and will guide you throughout the process. A successful claim can help recover various things like:
- Medical expenses, covering hospital bills, doctor’s visits, medications, therapy, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages, including future earning capacity.
- Property damage, such as lost clothing or belongings.
- Physical pain and mental anguish resulting from the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life, reflecting the impact on your ability to enjoy activities.
- Loss of consortium, for the strain on relationships with loved ones.
Keep in mind that what you’re able to recover depends on your accident’s specifics and how well you demonstrate your losses. However, our team will help you present an effective case.
How Can You Strengthen Your Claim?
Being in a pedestrian accident is frustrating, but especially so when you’re just trying to stop in for a quick meal. What’s worse, most of the time, they’re preventable. But because it’s up to you to show the extent of the damage you’ve gone through, you’re going to need to do a few things to strengthen your claim:
- Get medical attention – Get immediate medical assistance, either from an employee at the restaurant and have them call an ambulance. Make sure you get proper documentation of your injuries.
- Report the accident – Tell a restaurant worker or management immediately. Also, call local police if you’re hurt so they can come and take care of the scene. You may also want to ask if the restaurant has any surveillance footage or their own reports on the accident, since it happened on their property.
- Gather evidence – If possible, take photos or videos of the accident scene, including any injuries. Collect insurance information from the driver that hit you and contact information of any witnesses.
- Preserve items – Keep any damaged property and don’t repair or replace anything.
- Document injuries – Maintain a record of your injuries with photos and a journal noting any pain or limitations. Keep all medical records and bills.
- Be cautious – Be careful about discussing what happened. Also, keep from posting about it on social media.
What are some common injuries in these accidents?
It’s no surprise that when you’re on foot and hit by a vehicle (even one moving relatively slowly through a fast food restaurant’s parking lot) you often end up with severe injuries due to the impact. These injuries can include:
- Head injuries, ranging from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Spinal cord injuries that can lead to paralysis or other long-term disabilities.
- Broken bones, especially in your arms, legs, and hips.
- Damage to your internal organs, especially your liver, spleen, or kidneys.
- Cuts and bruises from being thrown to the pavement or contact with the vehicle.
- Emotional trauma like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- In severe cases, injuries can be fatal.
Like any accident situation, your injuries will vary based on the severity of the impact. What’s important to remember is that you have rights and options, and if you want it, legal support from our team.
California Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help You
Being injured in any type of accident is demoralizing and painful, but especially when it happens to you as a pedestrian at a fast food restaurant. These accidents are fairly common throughout the state and often result in serious injuries and other damage. You don’t have to face these unfortunate circumstances alone.
At Maison Law, our California pedestrian accident lawyers are here to help guide you through the legal process and get the financial consideration you need to recover. If you would like to learn more about your options, contact us for a free consultation.
