There is a great risk of pedestrian deaths in road collisions. A lot of people tend to walk on the road for numerous reasons. They are at risk of experiencing a fatal accident which can lead to damaging injuries.
If you have experienced a similar accident, make sure to consult a car accident lawyer. They help protect your rights to make sure you get compensated for your losses. With the help of an efficient La County Car Accident Attorney, you can seek justice for the negligent actions of another driver and reimburse the damages resulting from it.
Contents
Reasons for pedestrian accidents that lead to fatality
Pedestrian accidents are common at intersection points, stock symbols, bus stops, and areas with less visibility. The risk of collisions is higher during the nighttime. In most cases, the accident occurs due to the driver’s negligent actions. However, some cases involve pedestrians who can be held liable to some extent for causing the accident. Some of the common causes that lead to pedestrian accidents are as follows.
● Driving over the prescribed speed limit
Speeding is one of the prominent contributing factors in almost every type of accident. The fertility of pedestrian collisions is higher in cases where the other driver engages in overspeeding. This is because the speed increases the extent of force that will impact, and the victim faces an even worse injury as a result.
● Driving distractedly
Distractions like calls, texts or Internet browsing are considered extremely risky as they increase the dangers on the road. The distraction causes the drivers to make poor decisions. This is because they are unable to put their complete and undivided attention on the road due to the distraction. All the drivers Are suggested to prioritize their safety and focus on the road while they are behind the wheel. This helps ensure their safety and another motorist on the road.
● Driving under Influence
A lot of drivers engage in operating the vehicle under the intoxication of drugs or alcoholic beverages. They end up behaving recklessly and indulging in negligent driving. Drivers drive over the speed limit and fail to yield the right of way, increasing the number of accidents. Along with that, alcohol or drugs are known for impairing drivers’ judgment and reaction skills, making them susceptible to accidents with fatal and catastrophic consequences.
What steps should you take if you get into a pedestrian accident in LA County?
You will never see an accident coming, and there are chances you will sustain severe physical injuries. Therefore, it is essential to be prepared and know what steps to take following your accident. This is because the steps you follow after your accident will play a vital role when you seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
Below are the right steps to follow after getting into a pedestrian accident due to someone else’s carelessness.
1. Contact the police
Pedestrian accidents need to be reported no matter how minor or major they appear. In many cases, if you are a pedestrian and get hit by a vehicle on the road, the driver must report the accident to the police. However, you cannot rely on the stranger at the accident scene since they may not report the accident. Therefore, ensure to call the police immediately and inform them about the accident. Wait until the police arrive and files a report. Once the report is filed, do not forget to ask for a copy. This will help you when seeking monetary compensation.
2. Do not neglect to go to the doctor
In case the injuries are severe, you will be rushed to the nearest hospital. However, often victims neglect to seek help from a doctor if the injuries are not visible outside. For instance, the victim may feel they are fine and have not incurred any injuries that need treatment. Unfortunately, many injuries show up days, weeks, or even months later following your accident. If you fail to seek treatment, it will not only affect your health but also lead to the insurance company saying that your injuries did not occur from the accident. Remember, delaying treatment or seeing a doctor will make it difficult to prove your injuries are a result of the pedestrian accident. Hence, seeking compensation for the same will be challenging.
3. Work on collecting evidence
Evidence is one of the vital aspects of your claim. Without reliable evidence, seeking compensation will be difficult. Therefore, after your accident, note down everything you remember from the accident. This includes details of the other driver, how the accident happened, what you were doing before the accident, what you are feeling after the accident, and any other detail that will come in handy.
Next, ensure to speak to people present around the accident scene. The people who saw the accident can provide witness testimony that will help you to prove the other party’s negligence. You can take their contact details and contact them later for their statements. Additionally, if possible, take pictures of the accident scene. If the other driver crashed a pole after hitting you, you could take pictures and videos of that scene. Similarly, you can also take pictures of your injuries, even if they are scratches and bruises.
4. Get in touch with an attorney
Lastly, it is essential to seek support from a pedestrian accident attorney in LA County. This is because if you approach the claim independently without proper guidance, the insurance company will try to reduce your compensation. In worse cases, they will try to deny compensation. Therefore, when you work with an experienced attorney, you can ensure your case will be led by a professional. Moreover, the attorney will work with other experts to collect evidence against the at-fault party. Lastly, if your case moves to trial, you will need someone to represent your case in court, and an attorney can do the same for you!
You can seek compensation
You can file a claim and seek monetary compensation if you get into a pedestrian accident due to someone else’s negligence.