Los Angeles Crosswalk Accident Attorney
If you have gone through this type of terrible trauma, or are reeling from having lost a loved one in a crosswalk accident, turn to Compass Law Group’s experienced attorneys.
Tragically, Crosswalk Accidents Are Not Uncommon
Although crosswalks are put into place to protect pedestrians, giving them pathways meant to shield them from cars and other vehicles, too many accidents take place in the crosswalks themselves. More than 25 percent of all pedestrian accidents take place at intersections, many of them within designated crosswalks. In some cases, pedestrians feel a false sense of security as they walk in a crosswalk and are less careful than they should be. Darkness is most often a contributing factor since the vast majority of such accidents occur at dusk or during the night.
Walk signals, where provided, are notoriously short; in some cases, it is impossible for an elderly and/or disabled person, or a parent with small children, to get from one curb to the other within the allotted time period. This leaves the pedestrian’s safety entirely to the motorist’s discretion. This is not to say that drivers who hit pedestrians in crosswalks are malicious, just that they may be distracted, inattentive, or simply incautious.
Causes of Crosswalk Accidents
There are numerous reasons for crosswalk accidents, including:
- Driver’s failure to yield to pedestrians
- Driver’s focus on making a left-hand turn against traffic
- Driver’s distraction by GPS, texting, phone conversations, eating or drinking
- Driver’s extreme fatigue
- Speeding, which increases the time it takes to stop for a pedestrian and also increases the risk of serious or fatal injuries if an accident occurs
- Driver’s impairment by alcohol or drugs
Some crosswalk accidents are caused by external conditions, rather than driver misconduct. These include poor lighting, bad weather conditions, broken traffic signals, obstructive debris on the crosswalk or road, and malfunctioning equipment in the car (brakes, steering, windshield wipers). In such cases, our sharp crosswalk accident attorneys may file a lawsuit against other parties, instead of or in addition to the driver, such as the car manufacturer, or the town or city for improper road maintenance.
There are also times when pedestrians themselves are partially responsible for the accident in which they were harmed. This may occur if the pedestrian is impaired by drugs (prescribed or illegal) or alcohol, or if the pedestrian, for reasons of age or mental dysfunction, behaves dangerously. Pedestrians, like motorists, can be distracted or inattentive, answering a smartphone or looking at a text instead of giving their full attention to crossing a busy street. They may even wander out of the crosswalk.
Can I receive damages even if I bear partial blame for the accident?
California law recognizes the concept of shared responsibility, known as “comparative negligence.” This means that even if you are found to be partially at fault for the crosswalk accident that resulted in your injury, you can still be awarded damages, but the settlement you receive will be lessened by your percentage of the blame. If you are found to be 20 percent responsible for the accident, for example, and the court awards you $1,000,000 in damages, you will receive $800,000 — $1,000,000 minus 20 percent.
While state laws differ widely in this regard, California law favors the plaintiff, so you will be able to receive compensation even if you bear more responsibility for the accident that the motorist does — according to a principle known as “pure comparative negligence.”
Crosswalk Accidents Result in Very Serious Injuries
For obvious reasons, in crosswalk accidents, pedestrians are much more likely to suffer severe injury or wrongful death than motorists. Our experienced crosswalk accident attorneys are familiar with the long-term injuries and permanent disabilities that can result from such ill-fated encounters, such as:
- Hip or pelvic fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation
- Loss of organ
- Internal hemorrhage
- Loss of sight or hearing
Any of these injuries are likely to be life-altering, resulting in enormous costs — physically, emotionally, and financially.
Why You Need a Compass Law Group Attorney for a Crosswalk Injury
With so much at stake, we are fully prepared to fight tooth and nail to help you win the damages you need to see you and your family through. We know precisely which steps to take to litigate your case successfully. We will:
- Closely examine the scene and circumstances of the accident
- Review the police report and your medical records
- Interview witnesses
- Confer with experts who may testify on your behalf
These steps will enable us to present clear evidence in the courtroom to support our claim for damages to pay for all of the following that pertains to your particular case:
- Medical costs
- Lost income, present and future
- Psychological counseling
- Permanent scarring or other disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Funeral expenses and lack of financial/emotional support (in cases of wrongful death)
You can count on Compass Law Group to be at your side every inch of the way.
Contact Our Skilled California Crosswalk Accident Attorneys Today
Being badly injured is terrifying and overwhelming. Let us absorb some of the burdens by taking care of the insurance and legal details of your case. As you rest and recover, our team will work strategically to defend your rights and get you every dollar of compensation you deserve.
Contact our Los Angeles crosswalk accident attorney to schedule an initial, free consultation.
This list isn’t all-inclusive many personal injury suits have been raised based on different factors that aren’t included above. Our team of Los Angeles car accident attorneys can work on cases without anything out of pocket.
We’re old enough to have the necessary experience, yet young enough to use the most cutting-edge technology and tactics, and are determined enough to fight and outsmart the other side, every time.
