Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?

Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Sacramento pedestrian accidents often injure those who are most vulnerable — children walking to and from school, or elderly persons trying to cross busy streets. Another common type of pedestrian accident occurs when a car hits a pedestrian in the crosswalk because the driver is looking at traffic, and not at the pedestrian.

The severity of pedestrian injuries can vary, depending of the speed the vehicle was traveling when it struck the pedestrian. Lower extremity and leg injuries are very common, and can range from torn cartilage and tendons to broken bones (fractures of the kneecap (patella), tibia and fibula of the lower leg, and femur in the upper leg). If the pedestrian is thrown into the air, injuries can include brain damage, herniated discs, internal injuries to the kidney, liver, or spleen, spinal injury, and rib fractures.

Typically, accidents involving pedestrians are serious. As a result, it’s extremely important to get the full financial compensation you deserve, so that the injured party is able to receive the medical care and rehabilitation services they will need.

How Pedestrian Accidents Occur

Our Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Attorneys have determined that Auto vs. pedestrian accidents are generally caused by negligence from a motorist or a distracted driver.

Some common scenarios include:

Someone comes out of a driveway and hits a cyclist or jogger.
Failure to yield at an intersection.
Passing a runner, pedestrian or driver.
Failure to look both ways after a stop sign.
Being under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Failed to yield the right of way to a pedestrian
Ignored a stop light or traffic signal
Failed to stop when a school bus arm was extended
Failed to look right when turning right into a crosswalk
Was speeding or driving recklessly

There are other common reasons why these accidents happen such as defective parts, product recalls, and unreliable equipment. There are also accidents caused by street defects and vehicle collisions. The Sacramento pedestrian accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Zappettini & Bradley can take a look at the circumstances leading to the accident and determine whether they qualify for a Personal Injury Claim.

More Pedestrian Accident Information

Avoid Pedestrian Accidents

How You Can Avoid A Pedestrian Accident?

There are many pedestrians shopping, sightseeing, or playing tourist in cities throughout our state. In order to prevent accidents or injuries from happening, we have a few suggestions that may help:

Look attentively in both directions before crossing the streets.
Look both ways until you feel safe to cross.
Avoid distractions such as listening to music, answering an incoming call, texting, etc.
Walk on pedestrian-friendly paths such as sidewalks.
Stay away from oncoming traffic as much as you can.
If you have children, make sure they don’t cross the street alone.

Common Injuries

Common Injuries from Pedestrian Accidents

Injuries caused by bicycle and pedestrian accidents can be devastating. Permanent disability is also possible. Some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries include:

Soft-tissue injuries (abrasions, contusions, lacerations, etc)
Head injuries, including skull fractures
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Spinal Injuries
Musculoskeletal injuries (fractures, sprains, etc)

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Some Statistics To Consider

Over 5,000 Americans are killed in a pedestrian accident each year with over 129,000 checking into Emergency Departments across the US.
Pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than any other group of accident victims combined.
A high percentage of pedestrian fatalities occur among senior citizens, 65 and older, and children under 15 years old.
One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents is speeding.
Pedestrian accidents are also more likely to occur in urban areas at night.

More tourists and sightseers will venture into our streets rushing from place to place trying to have a good time. But while drivers are trying to find the impossible parking spot, pedestrians are walking in every direction, which can lead to a deadly accident.

Contact a Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If you were a passenger in someone else’s car and were injured in a car accident, contact The Law Offices of Zappettini and Bradley by phone at 916-457-5022, or fill out our online contact form. We understand that monetary compensation can never return a person’s health or erase the lasting effects of a personal injury. However, it can alleviate many of the day-to-day problems confronted by the victim and their family.

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What to do if you were involved in an accident

Because a pedestrian accident is completely unanticipated, its impact often takes us by surprise. In an instant, your life can be turned upside down and this could take a huge toll emotionally, physically, and financially. During the aftermath of a pedestrian accident, there are specific actions that you can take that will help protect your legal rights while simultaneously positioning you to recover. The following tips will help you on the track to a quick recovery.

Seek Medical Attention

You should always check the physical states of everyone who was involved in the accident and call 911 if necessary. Make sure you tell emergency responders detailed information about the crash as well as any symptoms you are having. You should know that sometimes people underestimate how severe their injury is because of the adrenaline rush brought on by accident. Always request a complete examination and follow all of the doctor’s orders for treatment. This helps you heal faster and prevents another party from making the claim that you are partially to blame for your ailment since you didn’t listen to your doctor’s advice.

Call the Police

Call the police immediately and ask them to write up a report that details the car accident. Ask the officer for a copy of his report and keep this write-up for your own records. Your Sacramento pedestrian accident attorney will use this report to prepare your claim.

Collect Evidence

Figuring out how an accident happened is best done right after it happened. Make sure and write down the contact information ( including the name, address, driver’s license number, and insurance information ) for everyone involved. Also, make sure and get pictures of the scene of the accident. You can take pictures of the parts of the crash scene that you think contributed to the wreck and the parts of your car that are damaged. Make sure you get close-up shots that show detailed information as well as wide shots of the entire scene. Also, it is a good idea to keep parts of the vehicle that broke off in the accident. Your pedestrian accident lawyer will examine those parts and could learn crucial information on how the crash happened.

Be Careful What You Say

You should watch what you say to other parties involved in the accident, to bystanders, and to insurance agents. Any admission you made can limit your ability in bringing forth a claim later. Instead, let your lawyer handle these kinds of communications.

Consult an Attorney

If anyone was injured in the accident, it’s best to consult an experienced attorney. An attorney can help you maximize your recovery if you’re injured or better defend yourself if you’re at fault. Many accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means that your lawyer only receives a fee if you’re awarded damages or receive a settlement.