When a motor vehicle hits a pedestrian in San Bernardino, the outcome can be life-changing for the latter. Pedestrians can suffer significant, permanent and even fatal injuries.
If you get hurt in this type of collision, the right San Bernardino personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal options during this difficult time.
In 2022 (the most recent year data is available), the California Office of Traffic Safety reported 677 accidents involving injured and killed pedestrians in San Bernardino County.
Local factors that contribute to this region’s high pedestrian accident rate are issues with road infrastructures, heavy traffic volume and congestion, and dangerous drivers.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian in San Bernardino, contact Jacoby & Meyers for a free legal consultation with a qualified San Bernardino pedestrian accident attorney. Our philosophy is to empower our clients to understand the inner workings of the legal process. Our goal is to help you achieve justice, peace of mind and a healthy recovery.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in San Bernardino
Preventing pedestrian accidents begins with understanding why they happen. Human error is the number one cause of pedestrian-vehicle collisions in San Bernardino. Drivers can make many mistakes that put pedestrians’ lives at risk.
Examples include:
- Distracted driving (especially cell phone use)
- Failing to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections
- Violating local and state pedestrian laws
- Ignoring rights-of-way rules
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Turning at intersections without checking for pedestrians crossing
- Speeding in busy pedestrian areas
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Driving through confusing construction zones in San Bernardino
Some of the most dangerous areas for pedestrians in San Bernardino are downtown intersections, the Base Line Street corridor, Highland Avenue and other major thoroughfares, areas around California State University San Bernardino, commercial districts and shopping centers, residential neighborhoods, and school zones.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident due to a driver’s negligence, consulting a car accident attorney in San Bernardino can help you pursue justice and fair compensation for your injuries.
Serious Injuries Common in San Bernardino Pedestrian Accidents
The human body was not built to withstand the force of being hit by a large and heavy motor vehicle. Pedestrians do not have any protection from serious harm in these traumatic events. Unfortunately, this often means significant and life-threatening injuries for the pedestrians hit.
Common pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Broken bones and multiple fractures
- Abdominal injuries and internal organ damage
- Soft-tissue injuries, including road rash
- Traumatic amputations
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Head trauma and traumatic brain injuries
- Emotional and psychological damage
- Fatal injuries and wrongful death cases
The San Bernardino pedestrian accident attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers have over 50 years of experience in this practice area. If we are hired as your attorneys, we can help you get medical treatment that is appropriate for your health and well-being. Meanwhile, we will leverage our knowledge and experience to achieve the best possible case results.
Determining Liability in San Bernardino Pedestrian Accidents
Since California is an “at-fault” state, an insurance claim must be filed with the insurance provider of the party at fault for a pedestrian accident in San Bernardino. This could be a motor vehicle driver for carelessly or recklessly causing the accident, but liable parties can also include the government for dangerous roadway design, a construction company for site hazards, and corporations for employees or commercial vehicles involved in accidents.
If there is evidence that a motor vehicle driver violated one of the laws in place in California to protect pedestrians, this could make the driver liable. Examples include pedestrian right-of-way laws, crosswalk regulations, and special school zone and residential area speed limits. The evidence needed to establish fault can include accident reports, eyewitness statements, crash reconstruction by experts, cell phone records, and photographs and video footage.
Compensation Available to Injured San Bernardino Pedestrians
A successful pedestrian accident claim in San Bernardino could lead to a compensatory award that enables the injured victim to move forward with less financial stress. Every case is unique, with case values varying considerably based on factors such as injury severity.
As an injured pedestrian accident victim, you may be entitled to the following types of compensation:
- Medical expenses (including emergency and ongoing care)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Permanent disability expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Damages for pain, suffering and emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages (for fatal accidents)
Securing fair compensation, however, can be difficult. This is especially true if you encounter common insurance issues, such as an uninsured or underinsured driver, a hit-and-run pedestrian accident, multiple insurance policies involved, health insurance subrogation, and insurance company bad faith tactics.
Why You Need a Specialized San Bernardino Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
The legal process of a pedestrian accident claim in San Bernardino typically starts with an initial consultation with an attorney and a free case evaluation. If you choose to hire the lawyer, your case will move to the investigation stage, where your lawyer will determine the cause of the crash and collect evidence on your behalf to support your injury claim.
It is important to hire a specialized San Bernardino pedestrian accident lawyer to handle your case. This means an attorney with real experience and case results in this practice area. The right lawyer will have knowledge of local street layouts and common pedestrian hazards, as well as experience countering anti-pedestrian biases often expressed by insurance providers.
If your case involves catastrophic injuries, it is also vital to find an attorney who understands how to accurately valuate these claims (including future losses). Your lawyer should have relationships with medical experts and life-care planners at the top of their fields. Finally, your lawyer should be familiar with San Bernardino County courts and local legal procedures – and have the resources to take a challenging case to trial, if necessary.
Book Your Free Consultation With a San Bernardino Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Recovering from a pedestrian accident in San Bernardino takes more than just financial compensation. At Jacoby & Meyers, we understand everything our clients need to pick up the pieces of their lives and rebuild after traumatic accidents. We are committed to advocating for San Bernardino’s pedestrian accident victims.
Getting help from a personal injury attorney is time-sensitive; you are subject to California’s statute of limitations, which is a two-year time limit, in most cases. Acting now can ensure you don’t miss out on your ability to hold someone accountable. Contact our local law office today to get started with a free consultation. There are no fees for our services unless we win.