Los Angeles Pedestrian Accidents Occur All Too Frequently
Data collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that in 2010, over 58,000 pedestrians were injured in U.S. pedestrian accidents, while an additional 4,100 were killed. While these statistics reflect a general decrease since the Department of Transportation first began collecting data on pedestrian accidents in 1975, they are still a cause for concern. Especially since an approximate 70% of pedestrian deaths occur in concentrated urban centers such as the city of Los Angeles, pedestrians must use great caution when out and about on California's streets and sidewalks.
What to Do if You are Hit by a Car While Walking
If you happen to get struck by a car or truck as you are walking, there are some important steps you should take. First of all, remember that you as a pedestrian are at a serious disadvantage compared to other motorists due to your vulnerability—unlike other drivers, you do not have a cage of metal surrounding you to protect you from the force of impact or the hard surface of the ground. Although you are much more likely to be injured than any other party involved in the accident, traumatic situations can often cause a rush of adrenaline in your body that can mask pain from serious injuries that may not appear until well after the accident. For this reason, it is crucial that you immediately seek medical attention if there is any question that you may be hurt.
You should also contact the police department to notify officials of the accident. While this step may sometimes feel unnecessary, it is always best to ensure that there is a record of the incident available for future reference. Furthermore, if you believe the driver may have acted negligently (for instance, by failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing, or by proceeding into an intersection when the pedestrian "walk" sign was lit), you should call an attorney at once. Also be sure to document any evidence you may have of the accident; take photos of your injuries, any damaged property, and the location of the accident, and ask any nearby witnesses to write down a statement of what they saw. These materials can later be used to prove your innocence.
Protect Your Rights by Contacting a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorney
After a traumatizing pedestrian accident, an injured victim may be unsure of his or her legal rights, options, and obligations. By calling an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer, an individual will receive sound advice about how to proceed after being injured in an accident. Furthermore, injured individuals may be entitled to receive financial compensation from parties who are determined to be liable for causing the accident and related injuries and damage. Therefore, hiring an injury lawyer can ensure that pedestrian accident victims have expert legal representation throughout the process of filing a personal injury claim in order to obtain this compensation.
Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers from the Pacific Attorney Group
If you have been injured by another vehicle as a pedestrian, please do not hesitate to contact a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer at the
Pacific Attorney Group today to discuss the details of your case in a free initial consultation.