Maison Law can help you if you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident in Turlock. You probably already know that getting around Turlock on foot can be risky, even when you’re using a crosswalk. That’s frustrating, especially when you were doing what you were supposed to do. If you’ve been hurt, though, there are things you can do to make the next steps a little easier. Set up a free consultation today to learn more.
Do I Have the Right-of-Way as a Pedestrian at a Crosswalk in Turlock?
Having the right-of-way as a pedestrian is one of the most well-known laws there are in Turlock and throughout California. The law says that drivers have to:
- Yield the right-of-way to you or any other pedestrian at a crosswalk. Further, this applies at either a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
So yes, you generally have the right-of-way at a crosswalk. But crucially, the law also covers what you can’t do at a crosswalk:
- You can’t step into traffic when a car is too close to stop.
- You still need to pay attention to traffic and use reasonable care when crossing the street.
What this means is that your legal protection with the right-of-way doesn’t necessarily mean you can just do whatever you want in a crosswalk. And more to the point, it also doesn’t mean that you won’t be in an accident in one of these situations.
Information That Can Help If You’re Injured in a Crosswalk
Being injured at a crosswalk in Turlock isn’t just painful. It’s also pretty confusing. You obviously don’t expect to be hit while you’re using a crosswalk, especially if you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing.
Unfortunately, you can’t account for what a driver is going to do. Crosswalks and intersections on Canal Drive or Golden State Boulevard aren’t necessarily paying attention to you in these spots. They could be more focused on making a turn or trying to beat a light.
And while that might tell you how these types of accidents happen, it’s still very different when you’re the one that’s injured in it. Once that happens, the focus shifts to the details and what you can do from there. The first thing you should do, though, is pretty simple:
- Call 911 to get the police and EMTs involved. Some injuries aren’t obvious right away, and a police report can help document what happened.
While you wait (and only if you feel up to it), it’s also a good chance to get a few basics like:
- Pictures/videos of the crosswalk, traffic signals, your injuries, the vehicle, and anything else that could help show what happened
- The driver’s name, insurance information, license plate, and vehicle details if you can, or write down whatever you remember if they take off
- Names and contact information of anyone who saw the accident
That’s about as much as you need to try to get at the scene. Let EMTs look you over and if you’re hurt, ask to go to the hospital. Then, in the days/weeks after, more information is going to start coming in that’ll help you later, like:
- Your medical records
- The police’s accident report
- Footage from nearby traffic cams, dashcams, or cell phone videos
- Progress pictures of your injuries as they heal (or aren’t healing)
- Any paystubs, medical bills, or other evidence of lost income
The accident itself may only take a few seconds. What comes afterward can last a lot longer. That’s where an injury claim may come in.
How to Get Financial Help After a Crosswalk Accident
Getting hit by a car while using a crosswalk in Turlock isn’t something you can always just shake off. Even if the car wasn’t moving at full speed, the fact that you have no protection against a moving vehicle or the ground usually means pretty serious injuries. And it’s not only that, there’s missed work, long recoveries, surgeries, and a lot of stress and anxiety moving forward.
The good news is that there is a way to get financial help for these things. You can either:
- File an insurance claim outside of court
- File a personal injury lawsuit
Once it’s filed, your claim may help you recover money for things like:
- Medical bills and future medical care
- Lost wages and lost earning ability
- Damaged property, like your phone, glasses, shoes, or clothing
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Changes to your quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses if the accident was fatal
There’s also a time limit to keep in mind. California generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. That sounds like plenty of time, but you don’t want to wait until that deadline is getting close to figure out what your case is worth. Plus, the longer you wait, the more time there is for the details to fade and the situation to change.
Talk to Our Turlock Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Maison Law
Getting hit by a car can turn your life upside down pretty quickly. One minute you’re walking across the street, and the next you’re dealing with an injury, medical bills, missed work, and calls from an insurance company. You shouldn’t have to figure all of that out on your own.
At Maison Law, our Turlock pedestrian accident lawyers can help you by:
- Explaining your rights and options in plain language so you know what’s going on.
- Looking into what happened and getting the information you need for your claim.
- Handling the back-and-forth with the insurance company so you don’t have to.
- Taking your case to court if the insurance company won’t deal fairly.
Even though you have the right-of-way at a Turlock crosswalk, it’s still a pretty vulnerable place to be as a pedestrian. When there’s an accident, our team will be there to guide you. Set up a free consultation today.
