Riverside Pedestrian Accident Attorney

When you live in a city like Riverside, it’s easy to spend at least part of your time car-free. A short walk to the local eateries, a few steps to the bus stop and a couple of minutes to the coffee shop on the corner are all part of your everyday lifestyle. However, as in all urban centers across the country, the majority of people in Riverside own and operate cars every day, and as a pedestrian, you are especially vulnerable to being hurt or worse should you be involved in an accident. If that happens, your best strategy is to call a pedestrian accident attorney without delay.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

California is one of five states that had the highest percentages of pedestrian car accident deaths as of 2017. Within these five states – including Florida, New York, Texas, and Arizona as well as California – 43 percent of all such fatalities occurred, even though they claimed just 30 percent of the total population in the country.

In 2016, a pedestrian died in an accident involving a car somewhere in the U.S. every 90 minutes. In 2015, 129,000 pedestrians sought treatment for crash-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Deaths of pedestrians due to traffic collisions in Los Angeles alone rose to a high of 134 in 2017, which represents an 80 percent increase since 2015. This occurred despite the city’s best efforts to make the streets safer for those who travel by foot.

All these statistics verify it’s dangerous on the streets, especially for those not driving. If you become a victim of a driver’s mistakes, be assured that the help of a pedestrian accident lawyer in Riverside is just a phone call away.

Who Is at Risk?

Key risk factors that make pedestrians more likely to become car accident casualties include:

• Age: Those who are 65 and older run the highest risk for pedestrian injury than any other age group. Children are also especially vulnerable to pedestrian accident deaths, accounting for one out of every five fatalities.
• Alcohol or drug use: Nearly 50 percent of pedestrian/car collisions involved alcohol abuse by at least one of the people involved.
• Speeding: Driving faster increases a motorist’s chances of injuring or killing a pedestrian.
• Time of day and location: Nighttime on city streets is the riskiest time and place for pedestrian/auto incidents.

Pedestrian Laws and Safety

Although, as a pedestrian, you are unprotected by a vehicle like a motorist would be, you could find yourself partially liable for a car accident if you fail to observe the applicable laws. Drivers are required by California law to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks, but as a pedestrian, you should not:

• Step into the street in moving traffic
• Attempt to cross where there is no crosswalk
• Cross against the “Don’t Walk” indicator
• Fail to look before you begin crossing, even when the sign says “Walk”

You technically have the right-of-way as a pedestrian. However, when you neglect to act responsibly, such as stepping directly in front of a moving vehicle, you assume a degree of liability for an accident. In such a situation, a pedestrian accident attorney can help you protect yourself and fight for your rights.

Types of Accidents and Injuries

Because you are exposed and vulnerable to harm as a pedestrian, the injuries you sustain in a car accident can be severe. A motorist, shielded by a vehicle, may emerge with only a few scrapes. According to the National Institutes for Health, some of the most common pedestrian injuries are as follows:

• Head and neck trauma
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones in the legs
• Chest and abdomen damage

Any of the above injuries come with long-term implications, including ongoing medical bills, physical and behavioral therapy, and even long-term care. If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian/motor vehicle collision, a pedestrian accident lawyer can help you protect yourself against such long-term economic damages.

What to Do If You Are Involved in an Accident

Depending upon the severity of your injuries in the aftermath of an accident, you are likely to need a representative to protect your legal interests. If you do not yet have a pedestrian accident attorney, you can ask a friend at the scene to do the following if you are unable:

• Call law enforcement to report the accident
• Make notes about what happened
• Take photos of the scene and the vehicle(s) involved
• Get the contact information from the vehicle’s driver
• Find witnesses at the scene and record their observations
• Get the contact information for witnesses
• Protect your rights as a victim by not commenting on liability
• Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer

We Understand, and We Want to Help

Rizio Lipinsky of Southern California has the knowledge and experience you need as the victim of a pedestrian auto accident. We go the extra mile to protect you from financial loss and future economic hardship due to injuries caused by motorist negligence or aggression. Get in touch with us today at 888-292-8888, or submit our contact form online to schedule your free initial consultation.