Can I Sue If I Was Hit By a Car While Jaywalking?

While California pedestrians are legally required to cross streets in demarcated crosswalks, if you were jaywalking in the San Fernando Valley and were hit by a car, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your injuries. For example, if the driver of the car was drunk or high, distracted, texting, or speeding, then negligence is involved. However, determining liability for a pedestrian accident can be difficult to establish without the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney.

Legally speaking, if a car hits you while you are jaywalking, you may still be able to receive compensation — if the driver broke the law in some way. The driver, of course, will argue that you were at fault for not following the law. This is where the doctrines of negligence and comparative fault come into play.

What Is Negligence?

Pedestrian AccidentBy Barry Goldberg

Pedestrian Accidents and Life Care Planning

The sad truth of the matter is that in a “scuffle” between a pedestrian and a motor vehicle, the pedestrian is most likely to lose and serious injuries are most often the result. In many cases of pedestrian accidents in the San Fernando Valley, the incident leaves the pedestrian with a fractured bones, head trauma, and ongoing emotional trauma resulting from the terror of being hit by a car or truck.

In some lucky instances, a pedestrian is left rather unscathed. Perhaps a few visits to a doctor and physical therapy or counseling are all the individual needs.  In other cases, especially when alcohol, texting and driving, or other forms of distracted driving are involved, a broken back or neck can be the outcome for the innocent pedestrian. In cases like these, where an injury can or does lead to paralysis, “Life Care Planning” is required. Pedestrian accidents are no joke, and happen with more regularity than you may believe. If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident, it would be wise to retain the experience and knowledge of a skilled personal injury attorney who has had success recovering money in other cases involving pedestrian injuries.

What is Life Care Planning?

Pedestrian AccidentBy Barry Goldberg