San Clemente Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

San Clemente is a beautiful place to get around on foot. Walking is an excellent form of exercise and better for the environment than driving. Unfortunately, walking in San Clemente presents the same dangers as anywhere else for pedestrians. Vehicles do not always watch for pedestrians and when the two collide, it is the pedestrian that always sustains the worst of the injuries.

When this happens and the driver was at fault for the accident, injured pedestrians are able to file a claim for compensation. First, you should speak to a San Clemente pedestrian accident lawyer that could help you get the compensation you are entitled to. Let an experienced personal injury attorney advocate for you.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Unlike drivers, pedestrians do not have airbags, seatbelts, or any other safety equipment to protect them in the event of an accident. As such, when they are struck by a vehicle, they typically sustain severe injuries. These include:

  • Severe cuts and lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Facial injuries
  • Leg and knee injuries
  • Road rash
  • Internal bleeding
  • Torn ligaments
  • Nerve damage

Sadly, these are just a few of the different injuries a pedestrian may sustain. The severity of them varies depending on the vehicle’s speed, the angle, point of impact, and the type of vehicle involved.

Liability in a San Clemente Pedestrian Accident

In order to have a successful claim, injured pedestrians must show the driver’s negligence was the cause of the accident. Pedestrians prove this negligence by showing the driver was violating traffic laws, or otherwise acting carelessly or recklessly.

San Clemente follows the many safety laws of the California Vehicle Code that are designed to protect pedestrians. One of these states that drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in any marked crosswalk or any unmarked crosswalks found at intersections. When a driver fails to provide this right-of-way and hits a pedestrian within a crosswalk, it shows negligence.

Other forms of driver negligence that could help a pedestrian accident claim are speeding, distracted driving, driving while fatigued, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Compensation Available After a Pedestrian Accident

Compensation in pedestrian accident claims is intended to help accident victims recoup any costs or other losses associated with the accident. As such, the compensation awarded depends on the specifics of a case. In California, injured individuals may be entitled to economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are losses that have a real dollar value. These include medical expenses, lost income if the victim cannot work, rehabilitative costs, and more. Non-economic damages are losses that are not as easily quantifiable because they do not have an actual dollar amount. These damages compensate for losses such as the physical pain and suffering the accident victim endured.

It is important accident victims speak to a San Clemente pedestrian accident lawyer that could provide a fair valuation of the claim. An attorney knows how to factor in items such as future medical costs, as well as those already incurred. This could help accident victims claim the full amount of compensation they deserve.

Call a San Clemente Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

If you’ve been hurt by a negligent driver, don’t try to file a claim on your own. Personal injury claims quickly become very complex, and a San Clemente pedestrian accident lawyer could help. An attorney is able to review your case, help collect evidence to prove your claim, and could work hard to get you a fair settlement. Call today to learn more about your legal options.