Some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Fractures
• Spinal cord injury
• Soft tissue damage (contusions, lacerations, strains, and sprains)
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Chest and abdominal injuries
• Internal bleeding

Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries even at low speeds and, in some instances, can result in death. These serious injuries can lead to long-term health complications, altering someone's life forever.

Our California pedestrian accident lawyers can help you recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses for pedestrians hit by a car while crossing the street.

Comparative Negligence

Even if partially responsible for an accident, the injured pedestrian may still be able to recover compensation under California's comparative negligence laws. The courts will determine how much responsibility the plaintiff (pedestrian) shared for the traffic accident and subtract that percentage of fault from the final verdict.

A pedestrian accident lawyer can represent clients and fight to keep the percentage of fault low so that clients can still recover adequate financial compensation. So remember, if you are stuck by a car and suffer injuries, a pedestrian accident attorney can still help you even if you share some fault with the driver who hit you.

Here's an overview of how to best proceed and not jeopardize your health and the pedestrian accident case:

1. Move to a safe place out of the street, and call 911 for help. Provide an account of what happened and ask about filing a police report.
2. Safety is a priority, so seek medical attention, even if pain or injury is not apparent. Hidden injuries like a traumatic brain injury can only be detected by a doctor and can become fatal if untreated.
3. Get contact information from any eyewitnesses and take photos of the accident scene, including the involved vehicle and anything notable (traffic signs, skid marks, weather conditions).
4. Avoid interacting with the driver unless it's to obtain insurance and contact information. Also, do not apologize or give statements to the driver or their insurance company.

A Riverside pedestrian accident lawyer can provide insight into the claims process and advise on how to best proceed following an accident. Sycamore Accident Lawyers provides a free consultation to all potential clients to discuss these details.

In California, as in any state, a statute of limitations exists. This law limits how long someone has to file a personal injury claim. The typical time limit for pedestrian accidents is two years from discovering the pedestrian injury, not the accident date.

People lose their right to take legal action if they miss the deadline. A few exceptions exist to the statute of limitations where the time limit is reduced or increased, but this will vary.

An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can review your case and file your claim before the deadline.

In California, drivers must yield to pedestrians entering or crossing a marked crosswalk or intersection. California law helps keep all involved parties safe and will prevent pedestrian traffic accidents.

Even at intersections with no designated crosswalks, once pedestrians enter an intersection, cars must stop and allow them to pass before driving through. Other specific laws regarding how pedestrians and car drivers should proceed include the following.

Pedestrian safety

• Have the right-of-way in marked and unmarked crosswalks
• Are permitted to jaywalk if a crosswalk is not safely present
• Must remain aware of surroundings and avoid distractions

Drivers

• Must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks
• Cannot stop in the middle of a crosswalk
• Cannot pass another driver who has stopped at a crosswalk
• May only cross a sidewalk when entering or exiting a driveway or garage
• May only use cell phones as a hands-free device

Violating pedestrian and driver safety laws can result in fines, a negative driving record, and even a driver's license suspension. Violating these laws in some pedestrian accident cases can also lead to the at-fault driver facing criminal charges.

In 2020, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reported that 27 people were either injured or killed in pedestrian traffic accidents in Riverside County.

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021, pedestrian fatalities reached 7,388, marking a 13% increase from 2020, while over 60,000 pedestrians suffered injuries across the United States.

However, Riverside County ranks near the bottom of the total number of pedestrians injured or traffic fatalities in pedestrian traffic accidents.

Generally, there is a common misconception about what "the right-of-way" means. Under California Vehicle Code 21800, drivers must always stop and allow pedestrians to cross the roadway.

This was previously specific to any marked and unmarked crosswalks at an intersection. Although pedestrians are no longer required to utilize crosswalks, they are responsible for making sound judgments. Pedestrians must yield to a passing motor vehicle to avoid putting themselves at immediate risk.

Exceptions to California's Crosswalk Rule

Some exceptions to California's new crosswalk rules allow pedestrians to cross outside a designated crosswalk. The latest legislation permits pedestrians to jaywalk without being cited or fined legally.

However, the pedestrian must do so in a "safe" manner. Therefore, dangerous behavior such as running between moving vehicles or impeding traffic is not allowed and is subject to fines.

Even if found partially at fault for an accident, experienced personal injury attorneys can help clients seek compensation for their pedestrian accident cases.