California Accident Injuries
Automobile accidents can cause serious injury to more than just the driver of a vehicle. You may be injured while riding as a passenger in a vehicle, or you may be an innocent pedestrian simply walking across the street.
If you are a passenger who is injured as a result of an accident, you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. You may have a claim against both the driver of the vehicle in which you were riding as well as the drivers of any other vehicles (or any other negligent party) involved in the collision.
Pedestrians are at a severe disadvantage when facing a moving vehicle, and for that reason are given special protection under the law. Pedestrians are given the right of way, unless they cross the street in non-designated areas or against crossing signals. Cal Veh Code § 21950. Drivers must also be aware when children are in the area. If a child runs out into the street, and if there is a school or playground nearby, the driver is presumed to have been aware that children were in the area. This can be used to show the driver wasn't taking proper precautions to avoid an accident.
A third party can also be responsible in pedestrian accidents. If a crossing signal or traffic light malfunctioned, it may be possible to hold the municipality responsible for failing to adequately maintain or repair the light. In the children example, it may be possible to show that the child who ran out into the street wasn’t properly supervised or that adequate crossing assistance was not provided.
As a passenger or pedestrian in an accident, it is important for you to independently obtain all necessary information at the scene of an accident if safely possible. In all automobile accident cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries. If you or a loved one is a victim of an automobile accident, call Blackman Legal Group now at 1-800-444-5602 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE FOR A FREE CASE EVALUATION. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.