Orange County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Orange County Pedestrian Accident Lawyers:

Helpful Information About Choosing an Orange County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

You can research the Bar license status, suspensions or reprimands of an attorney at the California Bar Association website.

The California Bar Association does not have a “Specialty” certification for personal injury law like some other areas of practice, but many lawyers choose to focus their entire practice on pedestrian accident & injury matters.

Pedestrian accident lawyers are paid on contingency, typically 33% – 45% (plus cases costs). Discuss this with your attorney when you call.

Some attorneys will be able to meet with you at their office, your home, the hospital, or over Zoom. It’s important to ask these questions when you call.

What to Do After an Pedestrian Accident / Injury in Orange County

The moments after a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming, especially if you were hit by a vehicle in an intersection or took a hard fall and suffered major injuries. However, making the right choices in these crucial moments could help you pursue compensation when you’re ready. After an accident while walking or running, make sure you:

Report the accident immediately. Call the police, wait for them to arrive at the scene, and make sure you know how to get a copy of the accident report when it’s ready.

Take pictures. Take photos of your injuries, the car that hit you, where you were hit and any identifying landmarks, and the road conditions.

Save the driver’s contact and insurance information. You can write it down or take a photo of their insurance card.

Get contact information for any eyewitnesses. Eyewitnesses often stop to offer help, since pedestrians can suffer severe injuries even in low-speed crashes. Get their name and phone number.

Seek medical care. Whether you go to a local hospital or urgent care clinic, make time to get checked out. It is essential for your health.

Adhere to your treatment plan. When you begin treatment for your accident injuries, follow your doctor’s care plan. Otherwise, the other party may have reason to push back against your claim.

Contact an attorney. An Orange County pedestrian accident lawyer should be one of your first calls after an injury. They can gather the necessary evidence and start building your case right away.

Pedestrian Injury Attorneys Near Me:

Important Pedestrian Laws in California

Pedestrian laws outline the rights and responsibilities of a pedestrian on California roads. At an intersection, pedestrians have the right of way when using a crosswalk and obeying walk/do not walk signs. If there are no pedestrian signals, they must follow the traffic signals and cross only when it is safe to do so. Jaywalking is not permitted and is defined as failure to use a crosswalk when there is one available.

When crossing the road somewhere other than a marked intersection, pedestrians must yield to cars that pose an immediate risk to them. Before crossing, they must ensure that vehicles have time to stop safely.

Injuries on Sidewalks

An injury on a sidewalk can be caused by a property owner or city in a number of ways. Often times, this involves ignoring a safety hazard. Other examples include:

Negligent maintenance: A property owner or city has a responsibility to maintain sidewalks in a safe condition. If a sidewalk is in disrepair with cracks, uneven surfaces, or other hazards, either the property owner or the city may be liable for injuries that result from these conditions.
Obstruction: Property owners and cities have a responsibility to ensure that sidewalks are free from obstructions. If a sidewalk is blocked by construction materials, parked cars, or other obstacles, a property owner or city may be liable for injuries that result from these obstructions especially if there is inadequate signage.
Poor lighting: Property owners and cities have a responsibility to ensure that sidewalks are well-lit at night. If a sidewalk is poorly lit, a property owner or city may be liable for injuries that result from trips and falls.
Tree maintenance: Property owners or the city has a responsibility to ensure that trees on sidewalks are well-maintained. If a tree near or adjacent to a sidewalk is not well-maintained and causes injury due to branches, debris or a root system that causes lifting concrete or a tripping hazard, the property owner or city may be liable.

It’s important to know that holding a property owner or city liable for an injury on a sidewalk can be difficult. It must be proven that the injury was caused by the property owner or city’s negligence or failure to maintain the sidewalk in a safe condition.

Furthermore, when an injury involves a city, county or government agency your time limit to file an injury claim is reduced to 6 months (read more about the statute of limitations on personal injury claims). It’s critical to discuss your matter with a pedestrian accident attorney in Orange County who is experienced with injury claims against cities.

Why You Need a Pedestrian Injury Attorney

Pedestrian accidents can be incredibly expensive for victims. Even if you get hit by a car rolling through an intersection, you could suffer broken bones, deep bruises, traumatic brain injuries, and soft tissue damage. Your medical bills alone could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Without an attorney, you’ll find it very difficult to get the type of compensation you deserve. The driver’s insurance company is likely to push back on your report, claiming that you jaywalked, failed to yield right of way, or exaggerated your injuries. An attorney can cut through these intimidation tactics and help you pursue the compensation you are rightfully owed.

It’s time to find an attorney who is passionate about helping the people of Orange County. All of the listings you’ll find here are confirmed to be local law firms in Orange County. Reach out to an attorney today and get the representation you deserve.

Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Orange County