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Pedestrian accidents can result in severe, life-altering injuries or, tragically, even death. An experienced Fresno pedestrian accident lawyer plays a crucial role in these personal injury cases, safeguarding clients’ rights and securing the maximum compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Fresno, CA, Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer will thoughtfully guide you through every step of the legal process, ensuring that your voice is heard and justice is obtained.
Schedule a free consultation or call our Fresno personal injury law offices at (559) 900-3076 at your convenience to learn how we can maximize your pedestrian accident claim.
Table of Contents
How Can a Fresno Pedestrian Accident Attorney Maximize My Case?
What Damages Can Be Compensated with a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
When Should I File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in California?
Who Is at Fault in a Pedestrian Accident?
What To Do After a Fresno Pedestrian Accident
How a Fresno Pedestrian Accident Attorney Gets You Compensated
The complexities of pedestrian accidents require legal expertise, knowledge, and a deep understanding of Fresno’s local traffic laws and court systems. At Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer, our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers achieve maximum case results through the following.
Detailed Investigation and Evidence Collection
Our dedicated legal team proactively gathers crucial evidence such as eyewitness testimonies, surveillance footage, accident reports, and expert analyses to build a solid foundation for your claim.
Knowledge of Local Fresno Courts
Familiarity with Fresno court systems and judges, ensuring the pedestrian accident case is effectively presented through persuasive arguments and sufficient supporting evidence.
Negotiation Expertise
Insurance companies often try to minimize the severity of physical injuries, non-economic damages (pain and suffering), and other losses to minimize case value.
However, our knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorneys aggressively negotiate on behalf of our clients, leveraging extensive legal experience to secure maximum compensation on their behalf.
Litigation Experience
If negotiations cannot reach a resolution, our Fresno law firm is prepared to file a personal injury lawsuit and take the case to court.
A lawyer’s courtroom experience ensures a fair defense of clients’ rights and increases the likelihood of securing a favorable verdict.
Damages That Can Be Compensated in a Pedestrian Accident Case
Injured victims often wonder: How much is my case worth?
This question typically comes up to determine if a case is worth pursuing. However, the case value is unique to each incident, making it challenging to establish an exact dollar amount.
However, pedestrians can receive a free case evaluation when meeting with a personal injury lawyer from Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer. You may be entitled to receive fair compensation for various forms of economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for current medical bills, such as doctors’ appointments and surgery, as well as future medical bills, such as medications and physical therapy
- Lost Wages: Reimbursement for income lost due to the inability to work, as well as loss of earning capacity for future wages due to permanent disability
- Pain and Suffering: Financial compensation for physical pain or discomfort and emotional distress
- Loss of Consortium: Damages for the impact on personal relationships with spouse, partner, or other family members
- Punitive Damages: Additional financial compensation in cases of gross negligence to punish the wrongdoer
You have the right to seek compensation for all sustained injuries and losses from the at-fault party. Our dedicated legal team can maximize your case value by investigating all factors to assess its true value.
What You Need to Know About Your Legal Rights
As a pedestrian accident victim in Fresno, it’s critical to understand your legal rights, including:
- Right to Fair Compensation: California law permits victims to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other losses related to the accident.
- Comparative Negligence: Financial recovery is still available, even if you share some fault for the accident under California’s comparative negligence rule. However, compensation may be reduced proportionally by your degree of fault.
- Statute of Limitations: You generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are exceptions that extend and even reduce the statute of limitations.
When to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in California
As soon as possible. Based on the circumstances, injured victims may have as little as six months for filing personal injury claims.
Pedestrian accidents in Fresno are covered by California’s statute of limitations. Therefore, under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, injured victims have two years from the date of the injury to take legal action.
The city of Fresno or a government agency may be held liable if a defective road, city vehicle, or other government entity caused the pedestrian accident. However, the statute of limitations only allows six months to file.
For injured pedestrians who are still minors, the standard 2-year statute of limitations for filing a claim begins when they turn 18, ultimately extending the filing period until their 20th birthday.
Even if you don’t believe you were seriously injured. It is also vital that you consult with a Fresno pedestrian injury attorney as soon as possible. Failure to file within the allotted timeframe may result in losing the right to compensation.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Fresno, CA
Fresno’s busy streets and intersections, such as Friant Rd. and Shepard Ave. or Blackstone Ave. and Dakota Ave., pose numerous dangers to pedestrians. Driver negligence is typically the root cause of most pedestrian accidents. Common examples include:
- Failure to Yield: Drivers not yielding the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing at crosswalks or intersections, not following traffic signals, and running through stop signs and red lights
- Distracted Driving: Phone use (texting, talking, etc.) or engaging in other distractions, failing to notice pedestrians
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol or drug impairment, significantly impairing a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely
- Poor Visibility: Inadequate street lighting or adverse weather conditions, making it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians
- Reckless Driving: Driving while tired or not following other traffic rules (not stopping for school buses, making illegal U-turns, etc.)
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time, increasing the risk of accidents
Who Is at Fault in a Pedestrian Accident?
In most pedestrian accidents, drivers of various motor vehicles (passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial trucks, etc.) can be found liable for damages.
California’s right-of-way laws are designed to protect pedestrians from a crash and is instrumental in proving a driver’s liability. Therefore, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians who are crossing the road, whether within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
However, there are instances where pedestrians may be held liable for their own accidents, as well. Due to the state’s comparative negligence laws, multiple parties can share fault in an accident–including the injured pedestrian accident victim.
An experienced pedestrian accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to determine all potentially at-fault parties. This could include the driver, government agencies (due to unsafe road conditions), or even a vehicle manufacturer (due to defective parts) if they bear partial or full responsibility.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Research indicates that approximately 85% of motor vehicle accidents at busy intersections in Fresno result in injuries. Additionally, about 4% of crashes resulted in fatal accidents, including pedestrian fatalities.
Pedestrians are vulnerable road users and can suffer severe injuries that include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Fractures and Broken Bones
- Internal Bleeding
- Leg and Knee Injuries
- Nerve Damage
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Severe Cuts and/or Lacerations
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Torn Ligaments
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Wrongful Death
Pedestrian accidents that result in catastrophic injuries often require extensive medical care and rehabilitation, resulting in considerable financial and emotional turmoil. To ensure you receive appropriate compensation, it is crucial to consult with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible.
Wrongful Death Claims
Traffic fatalities resulting from driver negligence are legally defined as wrongful death. In the event of a wrongful death accident, the surviving family of the pedestrian is entitled to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. This allows them to hold the at-fault party responsible for various damages, including funeral and burial expenses, lost expected income, and other damages.
What Fresno Pedestrian Accident Victims Must Do After an Accident
To protect your rights and strengthen your case, consider these critical steps:
- Seek Medical Attention: Always prioritize your health. Some pedestrian accident injuries sustained, like traumatic brain injuries, can be life-threatening but are not always apparent. Therefore, obtain immediate medical treatment, even if injuries seem minor.
- Report the Accident to the Fresno Police: Contact law enforcement to file a police report. An official accident can be used as evidence.
- Gather Evidence: If physically able, collect witness statements and their contact details, take photos of the accident scene, vehicle(s) involved, and injuries.
- Avoid Providing Statements to Insurance Companies: Do not make statements to insurance adjusters without legal guidance. Anything shared could be used to diminish the claim.
- Contact a Fresno Pedestrian Injury Attorney: Consult with an experienced attorney to discuss case details and explore legal options.
The Benefits of Working with Our Fresno Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
At our Fresno law firm, we provide extensive support throughout the legal process to ensure our clients’ success, offering the following benefits.
Proven Track Record of Success
Our attorneys have decades of combined legal experience, successfully representing numerous clients in pedestrian accidents in Fresno and the surrounding areas of Fresno County. We are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes, reflected in the substantial settlements and verdicts we have recovered.
ZERO Upfront Legal Fees
We believe that everyone deserves access to quality legal assistance, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis – you don’t pay us unless we win your case. This approach ensures that our interests are aligned with yours, and we are fully invested in securing the compensation you deserve.
Comprehensive Case Evaluation and Strategic Legal Options
We carefully assess cases, analyzing all details from injury severity to accident reports to identifying all liable parties. We aim to provide a clear understanding of your legal standing and available options, empowering you with knowledge of your case’s strengths, challenges, and potential outcomes. A detailed case analysis also allows us to craft a personalized strategy for aggressive negotiations with insurance companies and counter their tactics.
Personalized Legal Representation
Every pedestrian accident case is unique, demanding personalized attention. Our attorneys dedicate time to understanding your story and specific circumstances, allowing us to tailor legal strategies to your individual needs. We are committed to delivering personalized legal representation that benefits each client, whether that be through negotiations or litigation.
Common FAQs About Fresno Pedestrian Accidents
After being injured, victims face numerous uncertainties. Here are some frequently asked questions about pedestrian injury claims.
How will my medical bills be paid?
An experienced lawyer will pursue full compensation from the responsible parties, covering your medical costs, rehabilitation, and future medical expenses.
What if I can’t return to work immediately?
Lost income from missed work can create significant financial hardship. Your attorney will include lost wages and loss of future earning capacity in your pedestrian injury claim, ensuring you receive adequate compensation.
Will I need to go to court?
Not typically. Many pedestrian accident cases settle out of court, and your lawyer will prepare your case as if it’s going to trial. This readiness often prompts insurance companies to offer a fair settlement. If necessary, however, a skilled attorney is fully prepared to advocate for your rights in court.
How do I prove the driver was at fault?
Identifying fault involves presenting evidence such as traffic camera footage, eyewitness testimonies, police reports, and expert analysis to prove that the other party is guilty of negligence. An experienced attorney knows exactly how to gather and present this evidence.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Pedestrian accidents in Fresno fall under California’s comparative negligence laws. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
What if the accident was a hit-and-run?
If the driver fled the scene, our attorneys will explore all avenues for compensation. This includes pursuing claims under your own uninsured motorist coverage. We can review your policy and apply all appropriate coverage so that you are fairly compensated.
How long will my case take?
Each case is unique, and timelines vary based on complexity. Simple cases may settle within months, while more complex cases, especially if litigation is necessary, could take closer to a year.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
The pedestrian accident attorneys at Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer are dedicated to getting clients the maximum compensation for their injuries and other sustained damages.
We’ll take care of case filings, negotiations, court appearances, and dealing with difficult insurance adjusters so you can focus on what is most important: your recovery.
You typically have only two years to file a personal injury claim–sometimes as little as six months. Do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
After an accident, Jeff’s got you.
Other Personal Injury Cases Our Law Firm Handles
Our Fresno County law offices are in Clovis, Del Rey, Madera County, Selma, Tranquility, Parlier, Kingsburg, Auberry, Orange Cove, and Riverdale. We also represent clients in the following personal injury cases:
- Fresno Bicycle Accidents
- Fresno Car Accidents
- Fresno Dog Bites
- Fresno Motorcycle Accidents
- Fresno Personal Injury Accidents
- Fresno Slip and Fall Accidents
- Fresno Truck Accidents
- Fresno Uber and Lyft Accidents
- Fresno Workers’ Compensation
- Fresno Wrongful Death
Contact Our Fresno Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Today
When you’re ready, schedule a free case evaluation and speak with our Fresno pedestrian accident attorneys.
Address: 44 P Street, Suite 304, Fresno, CA 93721
Phone Number: (559) 900-3076
Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer’s Other Locations
For your convenience, our personal injury law firm offers free consultations at all Southern California locations. Contact one of our offices to speak with a pedestrian accident attorney today.