Pedestrians have no protection when struck by a vehicle, and these accidents can result in some of the most devastating injuries of any collision. In the United States, 20% of pedestrian crash fatalities are linked to jaywalking.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, you need the help of an experienced San Francisco pedestrian accident attorney.
At Jacoby & Meyers, our injury attorneys in San Francisco know how insurance companies try to shift blame to deny or limit their liability. Don’t face this challenge alone.
We have been representing injury victims in California for over 50 years and have a proven history of getting excellent results for our clients. We want to do the same for you.
Contact us today at (415) 855-4289 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free case evaluation. We will listen to you, answer your questions, explain your rights, and help you take the next steps to get the justice and financial recovery you deserve.
What Damages Can I Recover in a San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Case?
The damages you can recover in a San Francisco pedestrian accident case depends on numerous factors. Generally, you may be able to recover three types of compensation in a successful pedestrian accident claim.
Economic damages are those that you may have receipts, invoices, bills, pay stubs, and income tax returns to prove. They include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost wages
- Expenses for making necessary modifications to your home or vehicle because of your injuries
- Other expenses incurred because of your injuries
Non-economic damages are subjective and more difficult to prove. They include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Permanent disability
Punitive or exemplary damages are rarely awarded. This type of damage aims to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future. In contrast, economic and non-economic damages seek to compensate the victim.
Only a jury can award punitive damages. To be awarded this type of damages, you must prove that the defendant acted with malice, fraud, or oppression by clear and convincing evidence.
Common Types of San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Our attorneys have seen almost every type of pedestrian accident injury. Some of the most common ones include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), skull fractures, and other head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Neck and back injuries that can lead to permanent disabilities and chronic pain
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Broken and crushed bones
- Amputations due to severed or severely damaged limbs
- Contusions, lacerationsons, and road rash
- Severe facial injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
Other types of injuries can also occur. Many of these injuries will require long-term medical care and therapies and often result in life-long pain and disabilities. You must have an experienced attorney who can properly value your claim and help you recover every dollar you deserve.
At Jacoby & Meyers, our attorneys thoroughly investigate every accident to determine all possible causes and all potentially liable parties. We gather the strongest evidence to support your claims and fight to recover your maximum compensation.
What If I am Partially at Fault?
California follows a pure comparative fault rule. Under this rule, even if you are primarily at fault for the accident, you can still seek recovery from the other at-fault parties for your injuries.
However, the amount of your recovery award will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you are found to be 70% at fault for the accident and your damages total $100,000, you can recover $30,000 because your award is reduced by 70%.
The aggressive personal injury attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers thoroughly investigate all accidents to determine possible causes and identify every potentially liable party. We work tirelessly to minimize our client’s assignment of fault and maximize their compensation.
Steps to Take After a San Francisco Pedestrian Accident
If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, there are a few steps you can take to help protect your health and your personal injury claim. If you are able, consider the following suggestions:
- Call 911 to get medical attention and law enforcement to the scene. A police report can be helpful to your claim.
- Do not admit fault or apologize to anyone. These statements can be used against you by insurance companies and defense attorneys.
- Take photographs and video footage of the accident scene and any visible injuries. You should also capture anything important, such as traffic signs and signals.
- Exchange contact information with all parties to the accident and witnesses.
- Follow up with all medical appointments and therapies.
- Stay off social media. Defense attorneys and insurance adjusters often comb through your social media account, hoping to find something to use against you.
- Ask your friends to refrain from posting anything about you or your accident. Your witnesses’ social media posts can also be used against you. If a picture is posted of you at a party or having dinner with friends, it can be turned around and argued that you are not suffering and are enjoying your life as you did before your accident.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other parties’ insurance companies, and be very careful what you say to them. It is best to let your attorney handle all communications with the insurance companies.
- Seek the advice and representation of an experienced San Francisco pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible.
These are some suggestions to consider. However, you should follow your attorney’s advice about what actions to take or avoid.
Contact a San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, you deserve to be represented by an attorney who knows how to get you the compensation you deserve.
The pedestrian accident attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers have a history of winning big for pedestrian accident attorneys. We recently recovered over $37 million for a pedestrian knockdown accident client.
We know the games insurance companies and defense attorneys play, and we know how to combat their tactics. We do not need them to play fair for us to beat them at their game. Let us help you.
Schedule a free case evaluation today by calling us at (415) 855-4289 or complete the short form on our contact page. We look forward to meeting you and helping you get the justice you deserve.