Did you get hurt in a vehicle-related accident as a pedestrian? Was it due to the negligent actions of another party? If so, contact the San Diego personal injury lawyers of OnderLaw so we can discuss your legal options for seeking the maximum compensation you deserve. We understand how much you’ve suffered since the crash and want to help you hold the at-fault driver liable for their actions. You deserve an adequate financial award to cover the medical bills and other expenses you incurred.

Anyone walking on or near a road or crossing the street is at risk of serious harm from passing motorists. Many drivers ignore traffic signals and signs or become distracted behind the wheel, which can lead to an accident. When two cars crash into each other, the occupants have a chance of walking away with minimal injuries due to the safety devices provided by the vehicle. However, when a car or truck strikes a pedestrian, the result can be devastating injuries.

The San Diego pedestrian accident lawyers of OnderLaw have represented countless clients since 2002 and recovered over $3 billion in personal injury settlements. We have the necessary experience and resources to fight against the opposing parties and secure the money you’re owed. Call us for a free consultation so we can get started on your case.

Why Do I Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

Most accident victims don’t know their rights after sustaining injuries in a crash. As a pedestrian, you might not realize the compensation you deserve from the at-fault driver in an insurance claim. Insurance companies typically look out for their own interests and attempt to come in with a low settlement offer to avoid a large payout. If you’re unfamiliar with state laws and the maximum compensation available, you might feel tempted to accept the offer.

OnderLaw is familiar with the tactics used by insurance companies to intimidate claimants into dropping their cases or walking away with much less money than they deserve. We won’t allow the insurance company to take advantage of you while we’re seeking a fair settlement to compensate for your losses. We use aggressive tactics during negotiations and won’t back down without a fight. If the insurance company refuses to settle for an adequate amount of money, we have the resources to move forward with a lawsuit.

Evidence is crucial in any personal injury case. You might think you can handle an investigation yourself, but you’ll likely encounter roadblocks along the way that you don’t know how to overcome. Our San Diego pedestrian accident lawyers know all the places to look for sufficient evidence that proves someone else was at fault for your injuries. We can thoroughly investigate the crash and work on a strategy to show you deserve compensation from the insurance company for the suffering you were forced to endure.

Why Choose OnderLaw?

The San Diego pedestrian accident lawyers of OnderLaw understand the aftermath of a serious collision with a motor vehicle. You probably sustained debilitating injuries requiring ongoing physical therapy, rehabilitation, and other forms of treatment. If you suffer permanent injuries, you’ll need future medical care and assistance to get by. This can result in expensive bills and potentially significant debt. You should not have to pay for the costs you incurred when another person was responsible for the accident. We will put our skills to use to hold the driver liable and recover the compensation you need to heal.

We’re proud of the recognition we’ve received over the years for the dedication we put forth for our clients. Martindale-Hubbell, a peer review-rated service, gave us an AV® rating, the highest rating available for attorneys throughout the country, for the work we’ve done. We also received awards from legal organizations, such as Super Lawyers, Litigator Awards, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100.

Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle

A common cause of accidents involving pedestrians is driver error. Disobeying traffic laws or becoming distracted behind the wheel puts someone crossing the street at risk of serious harm. Motorists must always take precautions to avoid colliding with pedestrians in crosswalks and parking lots. Taking their eyes off the road for a split second can lead to a catastrophic accident, causing devastating injuries to the pedestrian.

The most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

  • Failure to yield the right of way – Certain scenarios require a driver to allow a person crossing the road to proceed first. For example, if a pedestrian has a green light or a walk signal, they can continue through the crosswalk first. A driver running a red light or stop sign could run over someone already in the middle of the street.
  • Distracted driving – Distractions take a motorist’s eyes, hands, and focus off the task at hand. They’re unable to drive safely and notice conditions requiring them to slow down or stop. Common types of distractions are cell phones, passengers in the vehicle, and the radio.
  • Failure to safely use intersections – Approaching an intersection requires drivers to slow down or stop for pedestrians when necessary. Turning right without checking for someone walking across the road or rolling through a stop sign can result in a collision.
  • Failure to be observant in parking lots – Backing out of a parking spot takes significant attention and care. Not checking for anyone passing behind the vehicle could lead to a crash with a pedestrian. It’s also crucial that drivers proceed slowly through the lot to prevent hitting someone stepping off the curb in the path of their car.

Various other careless actions could result in a pedestrian accident. If one of these or another reason caused your injuries, do not hesitate to contact OnderLaw. One of our San Diego pedestrian accident lawyers can investigate the crash and determine who was at fault. If we find that the driver is to blame, we can begin collecting evidence to prove what happened and seek the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Common Injuries Suffered in Pedestrian Accidents

Injuries associated with pedestrian accidents can range from minor to fatal. If you survived the collision, you likely need extensive medical treatment, such as physical therapy or surgery, to heal. Many victims sustain life-threatening injuries, eventually leading to their death.

The most common injuries suffered in accidents involving pedestrians are:

  • Concussion
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Loss of limb
  • Road rash
  • Fractured or broken bones
  • Paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Burns or lacerations
  • Internal bleeding
  • Organ failure
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Paralysis
  • Emotional or mental trauma
  • Crush injuries
  • Impairment, disfigurement, or disability

The immediate hours and days after an accident aren’t the only time you’re likely to suffer. You could end up with permanent damage, requiring months or years of ongoing treatment. The medical bills you receive could lead to crushing debt and stress while you struggle to find a way to afford your expenses. At OnderLaw, we understand the difficulties accident victims face and are ready to resolve your case against the at-fault driver so you can recover and move forward.

Types of Compensation You Could Be Owed

Auto insurance laws don’t only apply to the occupants of motor vehicles. Even as a pedestrian, you could file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company for compensation for your losses. The fault system in California holds negligent parties liable for the harm they cause in accidents.

California law requires all drivers to hold liability insurance to cover the financial, physical, and emotional losses suffered by accident victims, such as:

  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Medical costs
  • Out of pocket expenses
  • Inconvenience
  • Lost wages and future earnings
  • Disfigurement or impairment
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage

If the value of your losses exceeds the available liability coverage, you might be entitled to compensation from your auto insurance company. Even though you weren’t driving at the time of the accident, you could file a claim with your underinsured motorist (UM) insurer.

UM insurance isn’t a legal requirement in California; however, if you chose to keep it on your policy, you could seek a settlement up to the amount you need to compensate for the remaining losses the at-fault driver’s policy didn’t cover, provided the face value of your UM coverage is sufficient to cover the difference.

Time Limit for Filing a Lawsuit

A statute of limitations is a timeframe for initiating civil action against another party for the injuries they caused. California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. That means you must file your lawsuit within two years from the accident date.

If you attempt to sue the at-fault driver after the two years pass, the court will likely dismiss your case. You could lose out on the money necessary to compensate for your past and future losses. It’s vital that you hire an experienced San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer immediately to begin working on your case.

Contact OnderLaw for Your Free Consultation

At OnderLaw, our legal team will treat you as a priority from the second you retain our services. We take the time to get to know you and learn about your specific needs. We work hard to meet our clients’ interests and achieve their legal goals. You can depend on us to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve until the very end.

Call for a free consultation with one of our San Diego pedestrian accident lawyers right now if you sustained injuries in a pedestrian accident.