Walking is encouraged throughout Santa Monica, and the city’s climate is great for foot traffic. What comes to issue is that the city has motor vehicle traffic 24 hours a day. When cars on the road aren’t paying attention, devastating accidents can happen. Pedestrians are completely unprotected if they’re hit by a vehicle.
When a pedestrian is struck by a car, the physical injuries are likely to be serious. There will also be financial and emotional injuries that are suffered by victims and their families. At Maison Law, our founder, attorney Martin Gasparian understands the burdens that pedestrian accident victims and their families are confronted with. You’ll want to contact him as soon as possible if you or a member of your family becomes a pedestrian accident victim in or around Santa Maria. You’ll need quality and skilled professional assistance in pursuing the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
Pedestrian Accidents in Santa Maria
California Vehicle Code section 21950 requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are in marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Notwithstanding that statute, drivers are careless and negligent upon encountering a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Here are some common causes of pedestrian accidents in and around Santa Maria:
- Distracted drivers who are talking on phones, texting, or otherwise preoccupied with another activity while driving.
- Speeders who are unable to stop in time for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
- Drivers who are intoxicated or high on drugs or a combination of the two.
- Drivers who are in a hurry who just don’t want to slow down or stop for a pedestrian.
- Drivers who turn into pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way even when a pedestrian isn’t in a crosswalk.
Common Types of Pedestrian Accident Injuries
With a pedestrian’s lack of protection and exposure, injuries are often severe if he or she is hit by a vehicle. Here are some examples of common types of pedestrian accident injuries:
- Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
- Facial fractures and dental injuries.
- Leg and hip fractures.
- Damage to internal organs.
- Damage to spinal vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
- Joint injuries to ankles, knees, and hips.
- Severe cuts and abrasions with infection.
Don’t Get Tricked into a Lower Settlement
Although you may have had the right of way to cross a street, the insurer of the person who hit you will allege that you weren’t paying attention when you were crossing. That will be in an effort to attribute some or all of the blame for the accident over onto you and devalue your case.
They will take anything you say and twist it against you. No matter how threatened or intimidated you might feel, don’t give that insurance company any information about how your accident occurred or the injuries that you suffered. Talk to a lawyer first.
Contact a Santa Maria Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Rather than help the opposing insurer with its case, preserve and protect your rights by contacting our Santa Maria pedestrian accident lawyer at Maison Law to arrange for a free confidential consultation and case evaluation. You can tell us about what happened and the consequences that it has had for you and your family. You will likely have several questions, and we are happy to answer them for you. After that, we’ll advise you on how we believe that your case should be approached. Make sure that you arrange for that consultation, even if the accident involved an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. If we’re retained to represent you, our objective will be to obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries and damages that you deserve.
