Fullerton’s constant rush of traffic is a deadly risk to those who travel the city on foot. A reckless driver can speed towards an intersection without visually checking crosswalks and sidewalks and cause a devastating collision with a defenseless pedestrian.
GK Legal’s Fullerton Pedestrian Accident Lawyers take pride in protecting pedestrians after they’ve been hurt by the carelessness of a motorist. You won’t just be a case number to us. We’ll fully investigate your accident and collect strong evidence so that a car insurance company can’t try to wiggle out of taking full responsibility for your hardships.
We offer a free case consultation to all Fullerton pedestrian crash victims. There’s no obligation for this case review, but if you decide you need our help to earn more for your recovery, you won’t need any money now. We don’t get paid unless we secure an award for you and your family. Then our fee is paid out of the settlement money you receive.
Pedestrian Accident Dangers in Fullerton
Pedestrians making their way across Fullerton can find safe crosswalks few and far between. Walk signs might be on for only a few seconds before leaving those on foot stuck between sidewalks trying to scurry across huge intersections in time.
Fullerton is home to plenty of busy intersections where the safety of pedestrians seems to be last on the list of priorities. These dangerous spots put pedestrians of all ages at risk. One of the busiest intersections in all of Orange County is located near Cal State Fullerton.
- Nutwood Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue. The Daily Titan reported on how Cal State Fullerton students and other pedestrians are constantly in jeopardy as they cross this intersection. It’s been the scene of numerous pedestrian collisions.
- Harbor Boulevard and Chapman Avenue. This is another dangerous crossroads for local pedestrians. Those on foot are asked to cross five lanes of traffic on crosswalks with faded paint as motorists rev their engines.
We must all remember that we become pedestrians anytime we park our cars and walk into a store, a restaurant, a government building, or anywhere else. We can be struck by a driver in a parking lot or in a parking garage to suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and even life-threatening injuries.
Benefits Available to Fullerton Pedestrian Accident Victims
Your Fullerton pedestrian accident attorney will be collecting evidence and tracking down witnesses to make sure your case isn’t easily dismissed by an unhelpful car insurance company.
The at-fault driver’s insurer could try to make you wait on support while you see more and more hospital and physical therapy bills pile up. Once you are desperate to pay your bills, they can offer you a settlement that doesn’t begin to cover the true cost of your recovery.
Your lawyer helps you identify a “lowball offer” and rejects it to demand the full amount you’ll need to recover physically and financially.
Your lawyer also makes sure every damage you’ve suffered is listed in an insurance claim. Anything left off can end up as an expense you’d have to cover yourself. These and other hardships should all factor into the final amount on an insurance injury settlement check:
- Medical expenses now and the estimates for care anticipated to be needed in the future. That additional care may involve a permanent disability suffered by a victim.
- Support for the physical pain you’ve been made to suffer through, perhaps for many years to come.
- Emotional anguish. Support is provided so you can cope with the anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms that often follow an accident and major injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. Injuries can rob you of your ability to participate in hobbies, family trips, and other important life activities.
- Wages and benefits forfeited while you can’t perform work duties.
- Travel to and from medical appointments. The costs of visiting out-of-state specialists.
- Wrongful death benefits for the families of Fullerton pedestrian accident victims. Grieving families must earn help with burial costs and in paying remaining medical bills. They should also receive assistance for the guidance and monetary support the deceased will no longer be able to provide in the future.
Can I Receive Pedestrian Accident Injury Benefits If I Wasn’t in a Crosswalk?
In many cases, yes. California drivers owe all pedestrians a special “duty of care”, even if they aren’t crossing the street at a crosswalk.
This means that motorists must monitor the entire roadway for pedestrians at all times. This includes looking out for people on foot, on crutches, and in wheelchairs. Drivers must slow down when they spot a pedestrian in the roadway, no matter the location.
Their speeds should be slow enough to prevent the possibility of a collision with someone on foot no matter what the pedestrian does. This elevated responsibility is due to the very vulnerable nature of the human body in a collision with a car, SUV, or truck. Pedestrians can easily lose their lives in a crash.
A negligent driver can be held financially accountable for a pedestrian strike even when victims are crossing in a place they aren’t supposed to.
Comparative Negligence in Fullerton Pedestrian Accidents
California is also a “pure comparative negligence” state. This is a legal concept that allows for a driver and a pedestrian to share blame in an accident. The pedestrian could be assigned 30% of the blame for crossing a boulevard outside of a crosswalk.
The driver might be stuck with 70% of the liability for not slowing to avoid an impact. In the end, victims could receive recovery compensation, however, their 30% of the blame would be deducted from the final settlement amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I seek pedestrian accident compensation if a hit-and-run driver isn’t identified?
Yes. If a hit-and-run suspect isn’t captured, you would file a claim against your own car insurance provider using the uninsured motorist coverage. If you didn’t have insurance, you may be covered by a family member’s policy.
Can I seek pedestrian accident compensation if I’m struck by an uninsured driver?
Yes. You would need to file an uninsured motorist claim with your car insurance provider. Your own insurer can still try to limit the support you receive. A lawyer helps force them to provide everything needed.
Do I need a lawyer after a Fullerton pedestrian accident?
If you suffer a serious injury like a broken bone or brain trauma, you could need legal protection from insurance adjuster tactics. They can try to unfairly blame you for an accident and claim your injuries aren’t serious.
Contact a Fullerton Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
At GK Legal, we’re fully aware of how a pedestrian accident can change the course of a victim’s life in an instant. Those on foot can suffer broken legs and arms and even suffer a permanent disability. Careless drivers need to be held responsible for every cent of recovery costs for as long as recovery takes.
Contact us as soon as possible to find out how to hold an at-fault driver’s car insurance company responsible for what you’ve been through. Our Fullerton pedestrian accident lawyers offer a free, confidential consultation to all local accident victims. We can handle the stressful parts of an accident claim while giving you the time you need to focus on healing. In the end, you’ll have the compensation you need to recover and get back on your feet.
