Pedestrians are Riverside’s most vulnerable road users.
When a driver isn’t paying attention to the road or ignores pedestrian rights-of-way, serious pedestrian accidents and injuries can happen – sometimes changing the pedestrian’s life forever.
At Jacoby & Meyers, we are dedicated to pursuing justice on behalf of those injured in preventable pedestrian collisions in Southern California.
Contact us at (951) 720-3007 24/7 to discuss your case at no cost during a free consultation with our Riverside pedestrian accident lawyers.
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Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers
- Our clients benefit from the wealth of knowledge and expertise that our Riverside personal injury attorneys have accumulated throughout the years. Jacoby & Meyers has been standing up for the rights of California pedestrians since 1972.
- We pursue high settlements on behalf of our clients and are prepared to go to trial, where warranted. We have collected over $2 billion in settlements for our clients. Our case results include $9.24 million obtained for a pedestrian accident involving a spinal cord injury.
- There are no fees unless we win. If the insurance company denies liability or coverage, we will not charge a fee for our services. We won’t take any money unless we successfully settle your pedestrian accident case in Riverside.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
In 2022, the most recent year data is available, 543 pedestrians were injured and killed in traffic accidents in Riverside County.
The City of Riverside had 91 harmful pedestrian accidents reported, as well as 46 bicycle accidents.
Identifying the causes of pedestrian accidents can help prevent them and protect vulnerable road users in Riverside.
Commonly reported causes include:
- Distracted driving (especially texting and phone use)
- Failure to yield at crosswalks
- Speeding in residential areas and school zones
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Left-turn accidents at intersections
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Poor visibility and inadequate lighting
- Backing up accidents in parking lots
- Failing to check blind spots
- Aggressive driving
Driver negligence is the leading cause of pedestrian-vehicle collisions in Riverside.
A driver is negligent if he or she behaves in a way that a reasonably prudent driver would not have in similar circumstances, such as by breaking traffic laws or failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
Negligence can make a driver liable (financially responsible) for a pedestrian accident in Riverside.
California Pedestrian Laws and Right-of-Way Rules
All road users in California are required to know, understand and obey the state’s pedestrian laws and right-of-way rules.
Whether you are driving or walking around Riverside, it is your responsibility to know these laws and your rights within them.
California Vehicle Code § 21950 states that motor vehicle drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are crossing within any marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
If a pedestrian is within the driver’s half of the roadway or quickly approaching, the driver must come to a full stop and wait for the pedestrian to cross before proceeding.
California Vehicle Code § 21456 requires pedestrians to obey crosswalk signals and only enter the road when the signal is showing the word “Walk.”
No pedestrian may leave a curb or place of safety to enter the path of a vehicle that is approaching close enough as to constitute an immediate hazard, even with the right-of-way.
Determining Liability in Riverside Pedestrian Accidents
The State of California uses a fault-based law to determine who is liable for a pedestrian collision.
Under this law, the driver or party who is at fault must pay for related damage, such as an injured pedestrian’s medical expenses.
The injured victim must prove fault using evidence.
Proving Driver Negligence
Proving negligence requires evidence that the driver or defendant owed the injured pedestrian a duty of care, breached this duty of care with a careless or reckless act, and that this caused the accident.
Common evidence used to support a pedestrian accident case includes:
- Photos of the crash scene
- Traffic camera and surveillance footage
- Witness testimony
- Police reports and citations
- Accident reconstruction
- Cell phone records (distracted driving)
- Skid marks and vehicle damage
Proof of a violated traffic law can also help establish driver negligence, such as police citations or video footage of an at-fault driver running a red light, rolling through a stop sign, failing to yield to a pedestrian or speeding in a school zone.
Compensation for Riverside Pedestrian Accident Victims
Getting hit by a car while walking or jogging in Riverside can leave you with expensive medical bills and lost wages from the inability to work while you heal from your injuries.
Filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver can deliver justice by holding the responsible party accountable.
It can also provide the financial compensation that you need to pay for various accident-related costs.
Economic Damages
You can seek financial compensation for several economic or monetary damages, including future foreseeable costs related to severe injuries.
Economic damages may include:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital and surgical costs
- Ongoing medical care and rehabilitation
- Disability costs and accommodations
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages and income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage (phone, laptop, bike, etc.)
Keep every bill and receipt associated with your pedestrian accident for your records.
Maintain clear medical documentation of your injuries, as well.
Non-Economic Damages
The law in California also permits injured accident victims to seek financial reparations for their non-economic damages, also known as intangible losses.
Common examples are:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression or anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability and scarring
- Loss of consortium (for family members)
Non-economic damages can be more difficult to prove.
You can support your case by seeing a mental health professional for anything you are feeling, as well as keeping an injury journal.
Why You Need a Riverside Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Pedestrian accidents in Riverside often involve catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis and internal injuries.
Unfortunately, you cannot count on an insurance company to offer fair compensation – especially if you have future foreseeable costs.
However, you can trust a personal injury attorney from Jacoby & Meyers. We are passionate about helping clients get the justice they deserve.
We are on your side. We will guide you through your claim, investigate the accident, collect evidence, identify liable parties, hire highly qualified experts and handle negotiations with an insurance claims adjuster so that you can get back to the life you love.
Contact a Riverside Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
You do not have to recover from a serious pedestrian accident in Riverside alone.
The esteemed attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers are here for you.
We will help you understand your legal rights and seek justice through all available outlets as your pedestrian accident lawyers.
Contact us for a free case evaluation to learn more. Because you deserve justice.