Pedestrians walk along Ridgecrest roads with very little protection from reckless drivers. They can be crossing a crosswalk or simply walking across a parking lot when a distracted driver fails to spot them. This lack of focus can result in a devastating pedestrian collision and cause life-altering injuries.
The Ridgecrest pedestrian accident lawyers at Maison Law help victims of careless drivers get the support they need in recovery. Contact us to set up a free consultation about your case. We want to make sure you get the best care available and that you have full support to pay for that care.
Ridgecrest Pedestrian Accident Hazards
Busy intersections like Drummond Avenue and China Lake Boulevard have flashing “walk” and “don’t walk” lights to allow safe pedestrian travel. But these crosswalks can only allow those on foot only a few seconds to cross five and six lanes of traffic. They also rely on inattentive drivers spotting a light changing to red and monitoring every side of a street for someone on foot.
A lapse in focus from a driver reaching for a coffee cup or checking for texts on a cell phone can lead to a traffic light violation and a frightening pedestrian accident. Vulnerable pedestrians often suffer traumatic and life-threatening injuries.
These are just a few of the common injuries treated in the emergency room at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital:
- Musculoskeletal injuries: These are the most common type of injuries for adult victims. They involve strains, sprains, and damage to muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Healing can take weeks and patients can develop chronic pain.
- Head Injuries: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) leads to memory loss, sensitivity to light, and even seizures. Concussions can be light to severe. A skull fracture can lead to brain bleeding.
- Neck injuries: Whiplash is seen when victims have their heads quickly thrown forward and backward. The head may need to be immobilized as healing takes place. Things like moving the head and sneezing will be extremely painful. Full recovery usually takes over a month or more.
- Spine Injury: A cervical spine dislocation is another common injury, especially for older pedestrian victims. The ligaments in the spine are damaged. This may include a spine fracture or dislocation. It happens when blunt forces leave adjoining spine bones abnormally separated, causing instability.
- Back injuries: The stretching of muscles, tendons, and ligaments leaves microscopic tears in back muscles. These difficult-to-treat injuries can cause life-long back pain.
- Broken bones: Fractures in legs and arms are most common in accident victims. Some breaks can be very difficult to heal. Bones can even heal in the wrong position and may need to be broken again and reset through surgery.
With the severe consequences that are possible, it’s critical that victims and their families secure the most in compensation possible to pay for their injury recoveries. A Ridgecrest pedestrian accident lawyer is a safeguard to make sure a car insurance company is held fully responsible for every physical and financial hardship victims endure.
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.
Ridgecrest drivers 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 Ridgecrest pedestrian accident attorney works to make sure a careless driver receives as much liability 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.
What Kinds of Things Can I Get Compensation for After a Ridgecrest Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
After your Ridgecrest pedestrian accident, your Maison Law attorney will be compiling every medical bill you’ve received and will receive. This should all be submitted to the car insurance company for reimbursement. Your lawyer also works to show the other hardships you and your family have suffered. All of it must be compensated.
Your lawyer will be demanding support for these damages and others to make sure you have the resources you require for as long as necessary:
- Current medical bills and those expected in the months to come.
- Lifelong support for a permanent physical disability.
- Support for physical pain and emotional trauma. This includes the anxiety and depression a difficult recovery could cause you. The PTSD symptoms you suffer from a violent accident should also earn support.
- Loss of wages and benefits while you are unable to work.
- Travel costs to get to medical appointments.
- Wrongful death benefits for families. Close relatives such as a spouse or children of the victim may ask for financial help with funeral costs and medical bills. A wrongful death claim also seeks to protect the family in the future by replacing the steady income the deceased can no longer contribute to the family.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I wait to file my pedestrian accident injury claim?
You have two years to file an injury claim. However, you should take action as soon as possible. The sooner your attorney can begin investigating your case, the easier it will be to secure evidence and locate witnesses.
Can I get injury compensation if I’m struck by a hit-and-run driver who is never identified?
Yes. You would file a claim on your uninsured motorist coverage if you have car insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you should check to see if you are covered by a family member’s policy.
Do I need an attorney after a Ridgecrest Pedestrian Accident?
If your injuries are more than just a few bumps and bruises, you’ll probably need an attorney to protect your claim. The more your medical care will cost, the harder insurance companies will try to limit what you receive in a settlement.
Contact a Ridgecrest Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Contact Maison Law to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an actual Ridgecrest 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.
Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law, has a long background in earning pedestrians the support they need to recover and get back on their feet physically and financially.
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.
