Pasadena Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Pasadena, CA

The Pasadena, CA, area is a busy place, and many pedestrians must navigate heavily congested areas every day. Pedestrian accidents can happen when drivers fail to use reasonable care while driving in areas with lots of foot traffic. They may also occur when pedestrians fail to cross the road at appropriate places. However, whenever a motor vehicle driver hits a pedestrian, the driver is almost always going to face liability for the pedestrian’s injuries because every driver has a legal duty of care to prevent collisions with pedestrians, even when pedestrians violate their own duties of care.

Legal Representation for Pedestrian Accident Victims in Pasadena, CA

If you or a loved one recently suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, you need to know your legal options for recourse and the value of legal counsel. The right Pasadena pedestrian accident lawyer can guide you through the complex legal proceedings you face if you must file a personal injury claim against the driver who hit you. California’s personal injury laws allow you to seek full repayment of all your losses, but you may have grounds to claim much more than you initially expected.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Carl D. Barnes have extensive experience handling complex personal injury claims, including those pertaining to pedestrian accidents that cause serious injuries. In every case we accept, our goal is to streamline our client’s recovery process by securing as much compensation as the law allows for their damages. In addition, we can provide the ongoing support and professional legal guidance you need to approach the most complex cases as confidently as possible.

How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen in California?

Determining fault for your pedestrian accident is the first step in recovery from your losses. If a negligent driver hit you because they committed a moving violation, were speeding, driving while distracted, or driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, your attorney can help you gather the evidence necessary to prove the cause of your accident. Pedestrian accidents can also occur if a pedestrian jaywalks or crosses the street outside the designated crosswalk. If a pedestrian steps into the road from between large vehicles and a passing driver does not notice them in time, the driver may hit the pedestrian and cause severe injuries.

This would be an example of a situation where the pedestrian would face partial fault for the incident. Your Pasadena pedestrian accident lawyer can carefully review the details of your case and help you gather the evidence necessary to prove that the defendant is solely responsible for your damages. In addition, if any claims of comparative negligence are raised during your proceedings, your attorney will help you determine the best way to address them.

Damages and Compensation for a Pedestrian Accident Claim

A pedestrian accident can easily result in a host of serious injuries, including:

• Bone fractures, some of which may require surgical correction.
• Traumatic brain injuries, which often entail serious long-term medical complications.
• Spinal injuries, which can result in permanent paralysis.
• Internal organ injuries, which may be fatal without immediate medical intervention.

Many pedestrian accident victims suffer multiple injuries and often need emergency treatment. If a negligent driver hit you and caused injuries, they are liable for all of the medical treatment costs you incur due to their actions. Your Pasadena pedestrian accident attorney can also assist you in calculating other economic damages in your case, such as your lost income from the inability to work due to your injury.

California law allows the plaintiff in a personal injury suit to seek compensation for their pain and suffering and their economic damages. This may sound difficult to substantiate with a monetary figure, but your attorney can help you determine a reasonable amount to include in your claim based on the severity of your injuries. For example, a plaintiff who develops a permanent medical condition from their pedestrian accident is likely to secure much more pain and suffering compensation than a plaintiff expected to make a full recovery.

Some pedestrian accidents in California happen because of egregious negligence and criminal activity. When an at-fault driver’s actions exceed the scope of typical negligence, they can face criminal prosecution for reckless driving and other offenses. For example, if they caused the accident because of DUI, they would face prosecution under California’s DUI laws. If they caused the accident intentionally, they might face felony charges. The judge handling their criminal case may include restitution to you as part of their penalty. It’s also possible for the judge handling your civil claim to award you punitive damages to further punish the defendant’s actions.

What to Expect From Your Pasadena Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

The right legal team can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of any personal injury case in Pasadena. When you choose the Law Offices of Carl D. Barnes to represent your pedestrian accident claim, we will start by gathering the evidence you need to prove fault for the incident. This may include eyewitness statements or physical evidence like traffic camera footage. We’ll then help you calculate the entire range of damages you can include in your complaint. These are likely to include short and long-term losses if your pedestrian accident resulted in severe injuries.

Our team has years of experience guiding clients through complex personal injury cases. We’ll keep you advised about the status of your court proceedings and assist you with the settlement negotiation process, if possible. Many personal injury claims in California end in settlement, but if the defendant in your complaint disputes liability or argues against the range of damages you seek, your case may proceed to litigation.

Whatever your pedestrian accident claim may entail, you will be far more prepared to face the complex proceedings ahead of you when you have experienced legal counsel on your side. California provides a two-year statute of limitations to file your personal injury claim after a pedestrian accident, but this window can close quickly, and some claimable losses may not be immediately noticeable.

Contact Our Pasadena Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today

The sooner you secure legal representation, the more likely you will obtain the compensation you need to recover as fully as possible from your pedestrian accident. The Law Offices of Carl D. Barnes can provide the answers you need to your most pressing legal questions after a pedestrian accident. To review your legal options for recourse with an experienced Pasadena pedestrian accident lawyer, contact us today and schedule your consultation with our team.