The number of pedestrian accidents and fatalities in California and throughout the United States is on a steady increase. The total number of fatalities has almost doubled from the low that they had set almost 20 years ago. There are a number of factors behind this climb, including:

• Generally warmer weather means more people are out walking
• The emphasis on walkability has people giving up cars and walking to work
• More drivers are distracted behind the wheel because of things like texting and eating.
• People are opting for larger cars and trucks that will cause more significant injury.

Regardless of why a pedestrian accident happened, victims should seek help from an El Monte pedestrian accident attorney right away.

Faster Speeds Mean More Serious Injuries

Pedestrians have a better chance of surviving an accident where the driver is going less than 30 MPH. Nonetheless, they may still suffer serious injuries as they have nothing to protect them from the full impact of the car. When the driver is traveling faster than 40 MPH, there is an 80% chance that the pedestrian will not survive the accident.

California laws are meant to protect pedestrians by giving them the right-of-way in crosswalks. However, drivers do not always follow that. California drivers are charged a whopping $238 for pedestrian crosswalk violations, but even still that does not force them to drive safely.

In most cases, the driver will be the one legally responsible for the accident when the pedestrian is crossing with traffic at an intersection or at a crosswalk. Of course, pedestrians have their own obligations to use reasonable care when they are crossing a street, but drivers may still bear some or all of the blame when the driver is also doing something wrong.

Never Assume that You Cannot Get Compensation

Most pedestrian accidents occur in an intersection or crosswalk. Even if you have been injured outside of the crosswalk, you should never assume that you cannot recover compensation. Instead, you should always bring your case to a lawyer to discuss. The driver may have been doing something like speeding or texting, and they could still be partly to blame.

We do the hard work for you when you are seeking compensation for your pedestrian accident injuries. Below are some of what you can recover in your pedestrian case:

• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death
• Emotional distress

Since these accidents usually result in serious injuries, it follows that your compensation could be significant. However, you need someone in your corner who is a skilled negotiator and knows how to properly value your claim. Your lawyer will stand up for your legal rights when an insurance company is trying to pay you less than you deserve. This is what motivates us at The JLF Firm, and it is why we became lawyers in the first place.

Experienced El Monte Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

After you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, time is of the essence no matter what you are going through. Call the El Monte personal injury attorneys at The JLF Firm at (888) 341-3071 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation.

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