Pedestrian accidents are some of the most severe traffic incidents in Fresno. Pedestrians do not have any protection from harm in collisions. If you or someone you love was hit by a car in Fresno, you have rights. Let Jacoby & Meyers help you protect them. Our Fresno pedestrian accident attorneys have been advocating for the rights of clients since 1972, with a long track record of success and over $2B won for our clients.
Contact our Fresno personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation at (559) 545-0730 or fill out our online form. We’ll help you recover the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.
Pedestrian Accidents in Fresno
Pedestrian accidents can occur in many different ways and for multiple reasons. However, most of these collisions are traced back to human error or negligence, meaning the failure to behave with reasonable care. Common types of pedestrian accidents include intersection and crosswalk collisions, parking lot accidents, and reversing accidents.
The top causes of pedestrian-vehicle collisions in Fresno include:
- Driver distraction
- Texting and other cell phone use
- Driving too fast for conditions (speeding)
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
- Violating crosswalk laws
- Driving under the influence
- Drowsy driving
- Illegal passing
- Making unsafe turns
- Backing up without looking
- Weather conditions or poor visibility
The California Office of Traffic Safety reports that there were 180 pedestrians injured and killed in Fresno in 2022. In all of Fresno County, 273 pedestrians were involved in harmful accidents in 2022. The most dangerous places in Fresno for pedestrians include busy downtown areas and major intersections.
Your Rights as an Injured Pedestrian
Pedestrians have legal rights in California, just like motor vehicle drivers. They have a right to a reasonable expectation of safety from traffic accidents. If a negligent driver causes a pedestrian collision, the injured victim has the right to seek justice and financial compensation through a personal injury claim and our Fresno personal injury lawyers can help you through the process.
In most cases, pedestrians have the right-of-way in Fresno. California’s pedestrian laws require drivers to yield to pedestrians who are crossing the road within any marked or unmarked crosswalk. However, a pedestrian may not cross the road in violation of a traffic signal, may not step off a curb or place of safety into the immediate path of a motor vehicle, and must yield to the vehicle traffic if crossing at a place other than a crosswalk or intersection.
If a driver is guilty of breaking a California pedestrian law, the injured accident victim could be eligible for various types of financial compensation from the driver. This can include payment for medical bills, disability, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It may also be possible for the victim to hold a third party liable (financially responsible), depending on the circumstances, such as the driver’s employer or the government for a poorly designed intersection.
Steps After a Pedestrian Accident
If you get hit by a car in Fresno, try to take the right steps to protect your health and legal rights. You can build a strong claim to damages with the following actions:
- Check yourself for injury. Call 911 if you are seriously hurt. Even if your injuries seem minor, visit a doctor. It is critical not to delay medical care.
- Call the police to report the pedestrian collision. Request an official police accident report. Do not admit fault for the crash.
- If you are able, gather evidence at the scene. This includes pictures, surveillance footage, information from the motor vehicle driver, a description of the vehicle and eyewitness statements.
- If you have automobile insurance, contact them to report the accident. Your insurer may provide supplemental coverage if the driver does not have enough.
- Contact a personal injury attorney. Before accepting a settlement from the driver’s insurance company, consult with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Fresno for legal advice.
You may deserve greater financial compensation than an insurance company initially offers you. The attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers can help you with every step of the claims process.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
When a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the pedestrian can suffer extreme harm. These accidents often result in severe to catastrophic injuries. The pedestrian may have to live with the physical and emotional effects of the accident for the rest of his or her life.
Common injury types include:
- Head injuries and skull fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Bone fractures
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Internal injuries
- Crush injuries
- Disfigurement or scars
- Amputations
- Fatal injuries
While nothing can make a pedestrian accident right, allowing the pedestrian to recover fair financial compensation can help facilitate healing. Receiving a settlement or judgment award that helps pay for future health care for a severe injury, for example, can allow a victim to plan ahead and continue receiving necessary medical treatments.
How a Fresno Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Helps
A pedestrian accident claim can be a confusing legal process – especially since insurance companies always look out for their own best interests. Hiring a lawyer can allow you to pursue maximum financial compensation for your losses without the stress.
You can count on your attorney to conduct a thorough investigation of your accident to determine fault and collect evidence. Then, your lawyer can handle negotiations with insurance providers to achieve a fair settlement on your behalf.
In the event that a settlement cannot be reached, an experienced litigator can take your pedestrian accident case to trial in Fresno to pursue the outcome you need. With a lawyer in your corner, you will have the freedom to focus on your recovery.
Contact a Fresno Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Getting hit by a car in Fresno can be a scary and overwhelming experience. When you contact Jacoby & Meyers, you can immediately gain peace of mind. We will strive to achieve your utmost satisfaction and success using our skilled team of attorneys, assistants, medical case managers and negotiators.
We will handle everything in your legal matter from initiating a case against a driver or another defendant to achieving the settlement that you deserve. Throughout your case, our first goal will be to help you recover from your injuries. We will guide you through your pedestrian accident claim to get you back to the life you love.
Request a free consultation at Jacoby & Meyers today to learn more. Contact us online or call our Fresno office directly at (559) 545-0730. Our local law office address is 516 W Shaw Ave #200, Fresno, CA 93704.