Thousands of pedestrians are killed and injured in accidents with vehicles each year. In California in 2018, 893 pedestrians died in auto accidents. Our Sherman Oaks pedestrian accident lawyers at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers have extensive experience pursuing compensation for damages. Call us at 833-852-3600.
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Sherman Oaks, CA, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in jury verdicts and personal injury settlements for our clients.
We are here to help you. Call the JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule your free consultation with our Sherman Oaks, California legal team.
How Our Sherman Oaks Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident
A pedestrian does not have any projection from the impact of an automobile in a crash. Their body takes the full force of the impact, which can cause catastrophic injuries. If you were hit by a car in Sherman Oaks, CA, you deserve to receive a fair settlement for your pain, suffering, and financial losses.
Our Sherman Oaks personal injury lawyers are recognized by numerous national organizations for their successful track record and dedication to clients. Our commitment, legal knowledge, and client service have led to top ratings with Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbel, and The National Trial Lawyers.
The legal team at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers works for you. We are fierce legal advocates for injured victims and their families. Our Sherman Oaks pedestrian accident attorneys seek justice for you by fighting to obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries.
When you hire our award-winning Sherman Oaks personal injury attorneys, we will:
- Identify all parties who are liable for your damages and gather evidence to prove your case
- File insurance claims and negotiate an insurance settlement
- Document your damages to determine the maximum value for your pedestrian accident case
- Work with leading expert witnesses to gather additional evidence to support your claim
- Defend you against allegations of comparative fault
- File a lawsuit and proceed to trial if the responsible party refuses to pay a fair amount for your damages
We understand that you have been through a traumatic experience. Our lawyers want you to focus on continued healing, so we’ll handle all matters related to your personal injury claim.
Call now to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Sherman Oaks, CA
Pedestrians and drivers must obey traffic laws when using the roads. There are specific laws for drivers and pedestrians. Many pedestrian accidents in Sherman Oaks are caused by someone disobeying the law or acting negligently.
Common reasons for pedestrian accidents include:
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Drowsy and fatigued driving
- Distracted driving and walking
- Malfunctioning traffic signals and pedestrian signals
- Defectively or dangerously designed intersections and/or pedestrian crosswalks
- Impaired driving and/or walking
- Failing to stop for a pedestrian crosswalk
The parties who contributed to the cause of the accident could be liable for damages. Our legal team investigates the accident thoroughly to determine fault and gather evidence proving liability.
Evidence in a pedestrian accident case could include:
- Videos from traffic cameras and nearby surveillance cameras
- Testimony from the parties involved in the accident and eyewitnesses
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
- Data collected from a vehicle’s systems and recorders
- Evidence and opinions from accident reconstructionists and other experts
Proving negligence in a pedestrian accident can be challenging if you try to do it alone. Our Sherman Oaks pedestrian accident lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee basis. Therefore, you can have the resources and skills of experienced attorneys on your side without paying any attorneys’ fees until we recover money for your claim.
Proving Liability for a Pedestrian Accident in California
Most pedestrian accidents are based on negligence.
The legal elements of a negligence claim include:
- Legal Duty of Care – Drivers have a duty of care to follow traffic laws and take reasonable steps to avoid an accident.
- Breach of Duty – A driver breaches the duty of care when they fail to act with the same level of prudence as a reasonable person.
- Causation – The driver’s conduct was the proximate and direct cause for hitting a pedestrian.
- Damages – The pedestrian sustained injuries and damages due to the driver’s actions.
The burden of proof in a pedestrian accident case is by a preponderance of the evidence. You must convince a jury that there is more than a 50% chance that the driver’s conduct was negligent and that negligence resulted in your injuries and damages.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Sherman Oaks Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Pedestrians injured in a traffic accident can seek compensation for their economic damages, including:
- The cost of medical treatment, future medical bills, and rehabilitative therapy
- The loss of income, including reductions in earning capacity and future lost wages
- Long-term personal and/or nursing care
- Out-of-pocket expenses
You can also demand compensation for the pain, suffering, and anguish the pedestrian accident causes.
Examples of non-economic damages in a pedestrian accident include:
- Pain and suffering damages caused by emotional distress, physical injuries, mental anguish
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life and diminished quality of life
- Impairments and disabilities
If you sustain a disabling condition or permanent disability, you could receive future damages. Our lawyers work with top-rated experts to determine how much future damages are worth to maximize the value of a pedestrian accident claim.
In some cases, a pedestrian may receive punitive damages for an accident claim. However, punitive damages are only awarded when you can prove that the driver is guilty of malice, oppression, or fraud. The burden of proof is higher for punitive damages.
Our Sherman Oaks pedestrian accident lawyers carefully document each of your damages to ensure your settlement or jury award encompasses all the losses and harm a negligent driver causes.
How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth in Sherman Oaks, CA?
The value of your personal injury claim depends on the factors involved in your case. Some factors increase the value of your case. Other factors could reduce how much you receive for damages.
Factors that impact the value of a pedestrian accident case in Sherman Oaks include, but are not limited to:
- The type of injuries caused when the car hits you
- The duration of your recovery period
- Whether you sustain permanent impairments or disabling conditions
- The type of medical treatment and care you receive
- Whether you can return to work or perform another type of work to earn income
- Your fault for causing the pedestrian accident
- The extent to which the injuries impact your relationships and daily activities
- Your appearance after the accident (i.e., scarring and disfigurement)
The insurance company will focus on factors that decrease the value of your claim. Our Sherman Oaks pedestrian accident attorneys work to minimize these risks while focusing on the factors that increase the value of your claim.
Can I Recover Damages for a Sherman Oaks Pedestrian Accident if I’m Partially to Blame for Causing a Car to Hit Me?
California is a pure comparative negligence state. Therefore, being partially at fault for a pedestrian accident does not bar you from receiving compensation for your damages. However, it can reduce the amount you receive for damages.
Suppose a jury awards you $1 million for a pedestrian accident. However, the jurors determined you were 50% at fault for causing the accident. Instead of receiving $1 million for your damages, the court will reduce the award to $500,000.
The insurance company for the driver may try to shift some of the blame to you to avoid paying the total amount of damages. Do not agree to a recorded or written statement because the insurance adjuster might try to trick you into saying something that can be twisted to imply fault. Instead, let our legal team at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers handle the insurance company for you.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accidents in Sherman Oaks, CA?
A statute of limitations is a deadline for filing lawsuits. The court can dismiss a lawsuit filed after the deadline expires without considering whether the injured party has a valid legal claim.
The statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in California is two years from the injury date, including pedestrian accidents. However, there are exceptions to the rule. Therefore, you should seek legal counsel as soon as possible after a pedestrian accident to avoid losing your legal rights.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Sherman Oaks Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Don’t let a negligent driver get away with causing your injury in Sherman Oaks, CA. Let us help you get justice. Call JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers to request a free case review with an experienced Sherman Oaks pedestrian accident attorney.
