Maison Law represents the victims of San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo 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.
San Luis Obispo Pedestrian Accident Dangers
Travel along busy routes like Foothill Boulevard or Highway 101 in a car with airbags, seatbelts, and a metal frame to protect you is scary enough. A collision caused by a distracted driver can still cause major damage and severe injuries. But defenseless pedestrians are at even more risk when drivers get careless.
Those on foot may have to cross several lanes of traffic in only a few short seconds. That’s hard enough, but with drivers who aren’t paying attention to traffic lights or may not even be looking up from their phones, pedestrians can face a horrifying trip.
California traffic officials recorded 70 pedestrian collisions involving injury across San Luis Obispo County in 2023. Those accidents led to at least 5 tragic deaths. The total accident figure is going in the wrong direction when compared to traffic data from the year before. In 2022, the county saw 65 pedestrian accidents and recorded another 5 heartbreaking deaths.
These are more than just statistics. They represent major life changes for injured victims. In some cases, they represent loss and extreme grief for families, friends, and the community. These sad numbers show the need for drivers in the city to pay more attention to all crosswalks, sidewalks, and along any street where people are out walking or running.
Who Is at Fault in a Pedestrian Accident?
Careless drivers who cause pedestrian collisions can be held financially responsible for the recovery of victims. They could also be financially accountable for providing support to family members who lose a loved one to a pedestrian accident.
In some cases, drivers are still held liable for an accident, even if police investigators find that a pedestrian was at fault or partially at fault for an accident.
Under California Law, motorists owe pedestrians a special “duty of care.” This is due to the extreme vulnerability of the human body when pedestrians must cross in front of large, heavy vehicles. Drivers are expected to monitor for pedestrians at all times and slow down when they see someone stepping into the road. This duty must be shown, even if a pedestrian is crossing the street in an illegal spot.
The car insurance company for the driver could be responsible for covering all or some of your medical bills and other damages if you are struck. Your Maison Law attorney would fight to make sure the blame stayed with the driver and that you and your family secured the most for your injury possible.
Compensation Available to Pedestrians Hurt in Car Collisions
A skilled San Luis Obispo personal injury lawyer fully investigates what happened to you and investigates the driver responsible for the accident.
Accident reports and medical evidence are collected to form a strong case to present to the car insurance company. This evidence is key in preventing an insurance adjuster from trying to turn blame away from their policyholder or downplaying how severe your injuries are.
The size of a pedestrian accident injury settlement check will be determined by these and other factors:
- Totals on medical bills.
- Rehab and physical therapy treatment.
- Estimates on long-term support if your injury ends up causing a permanent disability and makes it impossible to return to your job.
- Travel costs to medical appointments while you are unable to drive.
- Physical pain endured.
- Emotional trauma endured. The anxiety you suffer after an accident. The depression you battle during a long, difficult recovery.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Loss of intimacy with a partner.
- Lost income from work including the expected future lost income anticipated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get injury compensation if I’m struck in a pedestrian accident by a hit-and-run driver?
If a hit-and-run suspect is never identified, victims can file a claim against their own car insurance. Support would come out of uninsured motorist coverage. If victims don’t have insurance, they might be covered by a family member’s policy.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim?
Two years. Pedestrian accident victims have a two-year statute of limitations to file an injury claim. They should act quickly. A lawyer can use the head start to collect fresh evidence and to track down witnesses.
What if I can’t afford to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer?
You won’t need any upfront money to hire a skilled lawyer to handle your case while you focus on healing. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement a car insurance company must pay you.
Contact a San Luis Obispo Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Contact Maison Law to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an actual San Luis Obispo 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.
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