When a pedestrian is struck by an automobile in Canoga Park, serious injuries can — and often do — occur. The injuries can happen not just when the vehicle strikes the pedestrian, but when the person is thrown to the ground or into tree or other object. If you or a loved one were injured in a pedestrian accident by a negligent driver, California law is on your side.
The obvious cause of severe injuries from an auto vs pedestrian accident in Canoga Park is the force of the hit. An individual crossing the street or walking on a sidewalk isn’t as protected from a hard impact as someone driving in a vehicle. Injuries can range from broken bones to long-term brain trauma and paralysis.
The Basics of Fault
There is one thing that does not always seem obvious in an accident with a pedestrian: fault. Who is at fault in this sort of tragic incident? It can cause some confusion because some people have conflicting views on whether the pedestrian or the vehicle automatically has the right of away.
In California, any sort of personal injury is based on the concept of negligence. Negligence means that someone failed to do something that they had a legal obligation to do. For instance, if a school zone has flashing lights and the speed limit is 25 miles per hour and there is a crossing guard in the road with a stop sign to allow children and parents to cross the street, someone speeding down the road or who runs past the stop sign would be negligent if they ran over a child or a parent. If a pedestrian did not have a cross walk that with an active indicator to walk and stepped out in front of a moving vehicle, they may hold some amount of fault for an accident.
Keep in mind that fault is ultimately determined by the insurance company or by the court. In order to get the best decision for your case, you will need the help of an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Canoga Park.
What’s next
The first thing to do after an auto vs pedestrian accident in California is to call the police. The police will respond and take a detailed report. Medical care will also be dispatched. If you’re a pedestrian and you’re hit by a car, you should seek medical care right away to make sure that you don’t have any internal injuries or injuries that are not readily apparent to the untrained eye.
Next, contact a skilled lawyer with experience in auto pedestrian accidents. For a free consultation about your case, and to discuss your potential financial recovery, contact Canoga Park accident attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.
