Orange County Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Each day, millions of California residents walk to work, go for a jog, or enjoy a stroll around the neighborhood. Unfortunately, thousands of these pedestrians are struck throughout the state every year, and many of these accidents are the fault of negligent drivers. Individuals who have been injured or lost a family member in a pedestrian accident could call an Orange County pedestrian accident lawyer for assistance.

How Many Pedestrian Accidents Occur Each Year?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents across the United States in 2016, which averages to one pedestrian fatality every 1.5 hours. In addition, almost 129,000 pedestrians sought treatment in emergency departments for non-fatal accident-related injuries in 2015.

The California Office of Traffic Safety reports that 867 pedestrians were killed in traffic-related crashes in 2016, which represents a 5.9 percent increase over 2015. Meanwhile, the deaths of pedestrians aged 65 and older jumped from 193 in 2015 to 218 in 2016, which is an increase of 13 percent.

Other important CDC statistics on pedestrian traffic accidents:

Pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to killed in traffic accidents than the occupants of motor vehicles
In 2015, one in every five American children under the age of 15 who were killed in a traffic accident were pedestrians
Nearly 50 percent of all fatal pedestrian accidents in the U.S. involve alcohol consumption by either the driver or the pedestrian
Most pedestrian deaths occur in urban areas at night
Male pedestrians are more likely to be injured in traffic accidents than female pedestrians
Teens and young adults are the most likely age groups to receive emergency treatment for pedestrian traffic accidents

What Are The Most Common Types Of Pedestrian Accidents?

Pedestrian traffic accidents are often the fault of negligent drivers. Here are some of the most common ways drivers cause crashes:

Distracted driving
Drivers who are talking on their cellphone, texting, checking their in-vehicle GPS, eating, or grooming behind the wheel aren’t paying adequate attention to the road. As a result, they could easily hit a pedestrian who is crossing the street.

Impaired driving
Alcohol and drugs impact drivers’ reaction times, cognitive functions, and basic driving abilities, which means they could fail to brake for pedestrians crossing the road. In some cases, an impaired driver could even swerve into a pedestrian who is on a sidewalk.

Drowsy driving
Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can impair drivers just as much as alcohol can. Drowsy drivers have a hard time concentrating on the road and can even nod off behind the wheel, significantly increasing the risk of hitting a pedestrian.

Speeding
Drivers who exceed the speed limit reduce the amount of braking time they have to stop for pedestrians, making a collision more likely. In addition, speeding vehicles often cause more severe injuries to pedestrians than vehicles that are obeying the speed limit.

Failing to stop or yield
Drivers who fail to stop at an intersection or roll through a stop sign could strike a pedestrian who has the right of way, causing an accident.

Backing-up collisions
Many people, including children, have been struck and injured by drivers who fail to properly check for pedestrians as they back up their vehicle. This type of accident frequently occurs in residential driveways or parking lots.

Left-hand turn crashes
Most drivers pay careful attention to oncoming traffic when attempting to make a left-hand turn, but many fail to notice pedestrians who are using the crosswalk. This inattention can lead to serious collisions.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Pedestrian Injuries?

Vehicle safety features such as seat belts, advanced crash avoidance systems, and improved airbags mean that the occupants of passenger vehicles are better protected than ever before in accidents.

However, pedestrians are left completely unprotected when a vehicle strikes them, which often results in injuries. The severity of the injuries depends on how fast the vehicle was traveling at the moment of impact and whether the pedestrian was struck full-on or only grazed. Here are some of the most common injuries suffered by pedestrians when they are hit by a motor vehicle:

• Broken or fractured bones
• Leg and knee injuries, including torn tendons and cartilage
• Internal injuries, including damage to the liver, spleen, and kidneys
• Spinal cord injuries
• Back injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Severe cuts and lacerations
• Nerve damage

Pedestrian accident injuries can leave people temporarily or permanently disabled and unable to work. In the most severe cases, they can even cause someone to lose their life. An Orange County pedestrian accident attorney might be able to help injured victims, and bereaved families recover compensation for their losses.

What Should Pedestrians Do If They Are Struck By A Vehicle?

It’s terrifying to think of being hit by a vehicle, but it’s important to know how to handle the situation if it happens. Here are some tips for pedestrians to follow if they are ever hit by a car or truck:

• Stay calm
• If possible, get off the road
• Make sure the driver stays at the scene
• Call the police and wait for them to respond to the scene
• Get the driver’s contact information and insurance details
• Obtain contact information of any witnesses
• Take photos of the scene from multiple angles
• Get medical attention
• Start an insurance claim
• Contact a pedestrian accident attorney

How Could A Lawyer Help?

Pedestrians who are injured by motor vehicles could be owed compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other crash-related damages. A pedestrian accident lawyer could protect a pedestrian’s rights and help file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver responsible for the accident. This could lead to a settlement that covers the pedestrian’s financial, physical, and emotional losses.

Families that lose a loved one to a pedestrian accident could also be owed compensation for various damages. A lawyer could review a family’s case and help file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver who struck their loved one. If the case is successful, the family could receive a settlement that covers funeral and burial expenses, loss of income, loss of companionship, and more.

Contact Rizio Lipinsky Heiting today to start your free consultation.