Personal Injury Attorney Richmond CA – Pedestrian Accidents
Colliding with a pedestrian while operating a motor vehicle can be a very traumatic experience. Even worse is being the pedestrian and getting hit by a car while crossing the street or standing on the sidewalk.
Unfortunately, California is a hotbed for pedestrian accidents. The state has led the country in pedestrian deaths for two straight years. In 2014, around 700 pedestrians perished as a result of motor vehicle accidents. The data stems from research conducted by the Governors Highway Safety Association. The figure matches that of the number killed in the state two years ago. Exactly 701 perished that year in California. All in all, a total of 4,735 people walking the roadways, sidewalks or other public spaces perished in the United States in 2013. Nearly the same amount died one year later in 2014. Unfortunately, many of these deaths are the result of motor vehicle accidents. Nearly 11 percent of the total number of motor vehicle deaths in 2011 qualified as those involving pedestrians. That number jumped to 14 percent in 2014. Of special note is California’s exorbitantly high rate of pedestrian deaths involving motor vehicle accidents.
Whether you are a pedestrian or a driver, it is critical for you to know what to do when you have been invoiced in a pedestrian accident. The actions following the event could be the difference between recovering a settlement for your injuries and recovering nothing.
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident:
- Get yourself and any other people involved in the accident to a place of safety.
- Absolutely do not attempt to administer medical treatment beyond CPR
- Contact the police, medical care providers, and auto insurance providers and a personal injury attorney
- Do your best to staying calm and observe your surrounding for witness and all the parties involved.
- Immediately seek medical attention, even if you think you are not injured. Sometimes internal injuries are sustained and you wouldn’t know unless you get checkout by a doctor.
Consult with a personal injury attorney. An Attorney will assist you with understanding the basic rules of fault, how your injuries and damages will be compensated, and most importantly, what your rights are after an accident
Only exchange contact information and any other information required by law – your name, phone number, and insurance information, but not much more. Do not explain the accident and absolutely do not admit fault. Do not speak too much to the other party, bystanders, their friends or family members. Saying statements such as “I feel so guilty,” or “I wasn’t paying attention” could expose you to a personal injury lawsuit. If the other part’s attorney show up do not speak directly to them. The same goes for the insurance company. You will want to run all your communication through your personal injury attorney.
Eric Wagner is an experienced personal injury attorney and helps people just like you to recover the money you need to pay the expenses relating to your boat accident. From our offices in Richmond California, we proudly serve clients in Contra Costa, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the surrounding cities. If you are involved in an pedestrian accident, the law allows us to help you receive compensation for a multitude of losses due to negligence. Please contact a us today at (855) 529-4465, for a free initial consultation.