San Pablo Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

At The Law Office of Nikolaus W. Reed, we understand how any accident can disrupt your life in San Pablo, but especially if you’re a pedestrian. With our expertise in handling such cases, we’ll help you explore your legal options and aid your recovery journey. Contact us for a free consultation to learn how we can help if you or a loved one have been injured in one of these accidents.

Do You Need a Lawyer After One of These Accidents?

One of the first questions you probably have is whether or not you need a lawyer. While a pedestrian accident is undeniably challenging, it’s not unlike any other accident in terms of your needs. If your accident and injuries are minor, you probably don’t need to worry about legal action.

However, while you might think you can handle the legal side on your own, working with our firm can make it easier. Here’s why:

  • Negotiation skills – Our team knows how to talk to insurance companies to get you a fair deal.
  • Legal knowledge – We understand personal injury laws and how the system works in San Pablo. We’ll use this knowledge to help your claim.
  • Protecting your rights – We’ll make sure your rights are defended against any unfair tactics from the insurance company.
  • Less stress – We handle all the paperwork and communication, so you can focus on getting better.

Keep in mind that every pedestrian accident case is different, and your needs may differ from other clients. Talking to our skilled team can provide customized advice for your particular circumstances. Better yet, we offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there’s no upfront cost for you.

What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?

Before you can even get to your legal options, you’ll have to navigate the aftermath of the accident itself. This is a very challenging time, especially if you’ve been injured. You’re probably dealing with pain and searching for medical care. Then, there’s the more long-term impacts, like anxiety, job loss, and a change in your quality of life. All of this comes into play, but only after you take certain steps after the accident itself:

  • Seek medical attention – Prioritize your health by seeking medical assistance right away, even if you believe your injuries are minor, as some may not be immediately apparent.

  • Notify law enforcement and ambulance services – Contact local law enforcement to the accident scene to create an accident report, which can be instrumental in the claims process. Also, call an ambulance.

  • Exchange contact information – Exchange and provide the necessary contact and insurance details with the involved driver.

  • Collect witness details – Gather contact information from any witnesses present, as their statements may be pivotal in corroborating the sequence of events.

  • Tell your insurance what happened – Report the accident to your insurance company, irrespective of fault, to make sure they are informed of the incident.

  • Document the accident scene – If you can, use your phone or camera to document the accident scene comprehensively, including vehicle damage, your injuries, and pertinent road conditions.

  • Preserve evidence – Maintain records of all medical treatment, expenses, and other pertinent documentation related to the accident to support your case.

  • Follow your treatment plan – Follow the guidance provided by healthcare professionals for your recovery, underscoring your commitment to getting better.

  • Be careful with statements – Don’t discuss the accident with anyone except authorized personnel, avoiding admissions of fault or problematic statements to insurance companies.

  • Document the aftermath – Keep track of the impact the accident has had on your life, such as missed work, emotional strain, or changes in your daily routine.

One way or the other, a pedestrian accident is going to bring changes. But remember, you have to take care of your health and safety first. Everything else, at least, will eventually take care of itself. That said, it’s going to take some more work on your part to actually build a case.

Liability For a Pedestrian Accident

Any case for damages after a San Pablo pedestrian accident is going to start the same way any other injury claim will: figuring out liability. And like other injuries, this is going to hinge on negligence. In the context of a pedestrian accident, liability will fall on whoever:

  • Breached their duty of care to take reasonable steps to keep you and other pedestrians safe.

In many cases, establishing the components of negligence typically points to another driver being at fault in an accident. However, depending on the circumstances of the incident, additional parties may also share responsibility:

  • Other pedestrians
  • Drivers that weren’t directly involved
  • Motorcyclists/bicyclists
  • The city or state government
  • Construction crews or companies
  • Garages and mechanics
  • Vehicle manufacturers

Occasionally, you may also bear some responsibility in an accident, although this is rare. Instances where you might be at fault include:

  • Crossing the street at improper locations
  • Disregarding traffic signals
  • Abruptly entering the street

Even if you’re partly to blame for the accident, you can still seek a claim for your injuries in California. The state uses “comparative negligence,” meaning compensation is adjusted according to each party’s level of fault. So, if you are mostly at fault for the accident, your potential damages may be lessened.

Damages Available in a Claim

Not surprisingly, a pedestrian accident–regardless of its cause–is going to leave you with some damage. Most pressingly, this will probably involve your physical injuries. Being on foot against a moving car leaves you with virtually no protection. Most of the time it leaves you with:

  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal injuries
  • Road rash and bruises
  • Soft tissue injuries

As with any accident, it’s vital your get proper medical attention for these injuries. Keeping records of medical bills helps understand the costs, while documenting injuries supports your overall injury claim. And then there’s other damage that you might not think about, like damage to your personal belongings, missed time at work, and a loss of your relationships with your close friends and family. All these factor into what are called your “damages.” Here’s what can be recovered, though, under the law:

  • Medical expenses – Covers costs like ambulance, hospitalization, tests, surgery, follow-up care, and medication. It can also extend to financial support for ongoing treatment due to permanent injuries or expenses for necessary items like wheelchairs or artificial limbs.

  • Lost wages – Financial support for wages missed due to the accident. Also can provide for future income loss if injuries prevent you from working.

  • Pain and suffering – Damages for the pain caused by the accident and injuries.

  • Emotional distress – Financial support for the accident’s psychological impact.

  • Loss of companionship – Damages for strain on spousal relationship due to the accident.

  • Reduced quality of life – Support for reduced ability to enjoy life due to injuries.

Remember, not all of these may apply to your case. Also, in California, there’s a two-year statute of limitations from the accident date to file a claim. As you might expect, pedestrian accidents typically leave you with lifelong injuries, so getting the full extent of all damages is crucial to your recovery and ability to move forward with your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be at-fault in the accident?

It depends. While you probably won’t be totally at-fault, you can share some fault in the accident if you dart out into the road unexpectedly or something similar.

How long do I have to file my claim?

You have two years from the date of the accident. This is the statute of limitations for injury claims in California. 

Is the city liable for my accident?

This also depends. If the accident was caused by poor infrastructure or a broken traffic light, the City of San Pablo could share some of the responsibility.

NWR Law Can Help San Pablo Pedestrian Accident Victims

If you get hurt in a pedestrian accident in San Pablo, it’s really important to have trustworthy legal help. At NWR Law, our team has a proven track record of success in dealing with pedestrian accident cases. We can assist you by explaining what you can do legally and supporting you in getting better. To find out more, contact us today to set up your free consultation.

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